F100 4x4 a recreational vehicle or a truck

The question Is: Is Ford’s F100 4x4 a recreational vehicle or a truck?  The. showroom appeal for Ford’s four-wheel drive F100 is unquestioned. Dressed in its XLT pack of sparkling metal ware, carpet, cloth and white vinyl; shod in lumpy rubber on tough-spooked white widies; Jacked up on its springs to clear the engine from the front-drive axle; painted bright and bold; It needs little or no sellIng. F100 is not a big ute but a small truck. The short wheel base version tested(117 in against 133 in), Just to get it into perspective, Is about half way betweena Falcon and Fairiane in length but is agood 5 in wider than the Fairlane. Add to that the height of the cab onits extra-long suspension. It gives a commanding view ahead all the way tothe horizon but creates a ‘sight-shadow’ around the perimeter of thevehicle that makes it seem much wider than it really is Thesystèn adopted has more than sixturns from lock-to-lock on a turning circle of nearly 38 ft.  What it really needs is variable ratio power steering but unfortunately the low local power steering boxes are notbuilt to take the sort of beating they would get from an F100 and the US boxes left-hand-drive. But they’re working on it. Another area I think needs development is gear ratios. it seems strange that even with a full tonne-upload, you can still start off in second gear without any trouble . I can think of. The fact is that first gear, high range, four-wheel drive literally ate up everything the F100 was pointed at andmost of the tough stuff was handled very well In second gear, high range! What you would need first gear lowrange fort cannot imagine, unless youwere planning an assault on the outface of Everest.From one point of view, the lowgearing is a blessing because ingeneral running around you don’t neecto graunch your way into synchro-lessfirst but when the 4.9 litre V8 (whichdoes not have the thirst-inducing liabilities of emission controls — trucks don’t need it, yet) is drinking a gallon of petrol every 8 miles) in ordinary running (and takin9 it easy) then it seems any measure that makes the four-grip Ford cover more ground for each revolution of the engine would been the interests of both Ford and its customers. There’s no doubt the 302 V8 has plenty of tugging power but fuel consumption of that order (which would be higher as the going got tougher) gives a range of only 120 to130 miles, which, when you think about it, is only 60 or so miles there and back. Best you take some Gerry cans. A simple solution would be to increase the wheel and tire size to give a bigger roiling surface although be warned that this will put extra strain on the transmission (which it should withstand) and won’t do much for your warranty agreement. Be simpler all-round if Ford did it. One benefit of the low gearing is, of course, incredible acceleration and theFour Grip Ford flies down the 400metres of test strip In 18.7 seconds — a rather astonishing figure. for a vehicle weighing some 2.7 tonnes — although acceleration seems rather academic onan off-reader One thing, though, you’d never holdup the traffic with a big van or boat on the back and the big Ford could tow into just about any spot you desired. Life behind the wheel is pretty comfortable for a car man embarking into a trucking environment largely duet the XLT option pack of push-button radio, loop-pile carpet, houndstoothcloth seat upholstery, white roof to keep it cooler and, terrific rear view mirrors outside. There are bump strips down the side, over-riders and bright work around the tailgate, wheel arches, body protection strips and windows. There's also a white tonneau cover and rear step bumper-cum-tow bar fitted to the style side versions. You also get steel spoked wheels 8 inwide fitted with Summit Wide Climbertyres. They are pretty noisey on bitumen and some off-readers will claim they are not ideal on rugged ground but Ford’s US experience tells them they are the best all round on-off-road tyres going. From any angle the F100 4x4 leeks big and mean. It drives like it as TYPE OF VEHICLE:Four wheel drive version of long- running and very successful Ford F100pick-up truck Spacious cab seats three. Style side tray with short wheelbase. Front engine drives rearwheel in normal use. Based on Ford’sUS pick-up.k.ENGINE/PERFORMANCE: Standard 4.9 litre V8 (302) free of emission gear produces heaps of power. Unlike post-emission engines, produces bags of low-down torque. Very flexible puller in all gears. But talk about thirsty!
GEARBOX: Four speed manual from truck range. No synchro on first. But first such atree-puller only need start in second. Enormous gear lever movement. . Two and four wheel drive In high rangb. Four wheel drive only in low range. Freewheel hubs on front. Four wheel drives elector sometimes freezes. High range gearing could be taller.
BRAKES: Power-boosted disc-drum arrange- ment good stuff for a truck. Good set of stoppers with and without a load.
STEERING: ! More than six turns from lock to lock. Heavy. Not very maneuverable.
SUSPENSION/RIDE: Suspension jacked up so engine clears front drive axle. Long travel coils affront gives reasonable cabin comfort. Back leaf springs are better with a little weight on them. Firm ride makes belts advisable off-road as she tosses a bit.1. The famous Ford 302 V8 hauls the F100 along. 2. Interior Is straight from the F100 dress up pack.

 

Traction: Will perform amazing climbing feats even in high range. Low range could pull you up the the north face of Everest. Excellent clearance although rear overhang could trap the back end.
CONTROLS/INSTRUMENTS,’ CONVENIENCE: Uses Falcon steering column including Falcon flasher-dip wand for headlights. Two-speed wipers. Floor plunger for washers. Heath Robinson handbrake would not hold on slopes. Radio too faraway from belted driver. Good heater demister but no face vents. Does have quarter windows. Seat falls away towards door. Cloth seats and carpet make it less like a workhorse. Glovebox now has finger grip for easy opening. Anatomy of middle passenger at some risk from flying gear stick during changes.

VISION:

View all round good. Big rear view mirrors excellent. .

CONSTRUCTION QUALITY: Apart from a door lock coming loose there were no arguments In this quarter. Clean paint job, neat trim fit. Nicely done.

BEST POINTS: image and appearance. Climbing ability combined with clearance. Performance. Pulling power. Interior comfort level.