Even the Bronco Sport looks more Defender than the new Defender...

Ford does seem to be diverging size-segments into distinct and different core demographics, or said differently: more-effecient vs more-rugged products. Examples: Escape vs Bronco Sport. Edge vs Bronco. Transit vs E-Series cutaways. To some extent, you could even argue the F150 vs Raptor are different trucks. They…

Have you driven one? They’re fine. Especially the Titanium trim. The Fiesta platform is decently competent. The AWD system works far better than the CX-3. The 2.0L has more power than the Honda HR-V and doesn’t have a CVT (that said... they should not have paired the 1.0 with the auto. It’s only a fun motor with a…

Probably. For a short time. A very short time.... At least its not CVT.  Yet.

But you need to budget another $11k for a full fuel system replacement from tank-pickup to injectors, when the Bosch CP4 self-destructs.

The old 5-speed transmission wasn’t great, but the Jatco 7-speed is just fine! The only common issue I can find with it is a bad range-selector switch.

The rear suspension on the Armada is crap for towing. It’s too soft and under-damped. The QX80 however is great! It has air-ride and cross-link active hydraulic suspension. Plus, it moved the Patrol platform sooner (2010! but I don’t know when active suspension came out), and has less name recognition, so you can find…

Get a Sienna AWD. Magnuson is about to start selling a Supercharger for the 3.5L. For the Taco of course, but I’m sure you can fit it to the Sienna with a sawzall and some jb weld.

Because the 10 people in the world who might want this, are probably capable of removing the bed. This actually isn’t a simple proposition. They would then be shipping an incomplete vehicle, which would mean different placarding, and providing an up-fitters manual describing what you can or cannot do, how to do it, cG…

What about Plug-In hybrids? I have no idea how they credit EV mode, but I’m thinking about the Lincoln Aviator powertrain (which is in the Explorer in Europe), for a decent all-electric range combined with absurd power levels. Since Europeans drive generally much smaller distances than we do, these seem ideal?

It’s not that bad at all. I use mine on the center console in my E350 van. It it awkward for typing long emails, but a BT keyboard or voice to text is a good workaround. Usually I’m just looking at and marking up drawings though.

Liability maybe? Lots of work trucks get used on highway right-of-ways, and the capacitors keep the SRS system active for a while even after you turn it off. And if you’re inside working, good chance you have the truck on anyways. And you’d have to move your seat WAY back to be able to type.

That’s correct. EGR wasn’t even required until 2004. Can’t don’t really do much a diesel. DPFs didn’t come into play until 2007 (and as 2007.5 models). And DPF-equipped trucks SUCK. They guzzle fuel, they are always in regen, the DPFs eventually plug up. That’s why pre-DPF trucks are worth more. SCR-equipped trucks…

Ok I’ll reply to you one last time, since I don’t get the sense you have much actual job-site experience...

That was supposed to say just GPH.

1) It has a keyfob with remote start, or use the Ford app.

AHU’s like that don’t weigh very much. I’ve had 3,200 pounds of HSS braces in the bed of my work F150. Sometimes you just can’t wait for a real truck. I’ve also towed my 12'x60' office trailer with my E350 van. Readers on this site don’t understand that sometimes shit’s gotta get done yesterday.

All new Ford’s have auto emergency braking as an option, starting with the 2018 models I think. Even the E-series has it now. I haven’t heard a single complaint. I think Ford uses radar and cameras combined, because only models with both get that feature. 

You can get all of that now, sans grill. AWD is already available (and it can send 100% torque to either end). Van Compass has a 2" lift available. QuadVan and Quigley build factory-approved true 4x4 conversions. 3.5L EcoBoost is already an option, and the US vans already have full cladding on the lower panels, they…

Bronco Sport is an Escape with squared-off body panels and more meat on the rims. It’s basically the same car, but going for a ruggedized look since the Escape keeps getting softer. The new Bronco will be about the same size as the Edge, but completely different target audience, just like the Toyota 4Runner vs Venza.