It’s really sad that we had last-mile railroad infrastructure. But then cities started literally paving new roads to greenfield industrial developments, while manufacturers (typically) owned their rail spurs and would have to use their own expenditures to maintain those. And tax breaks generally only apply to new devel…

Dang. This is one of the most amazing islands in the world.

I don’t think it’s over 13' tall. Federal highway limit is 13'-6".

All new Freightliner/Daimler and PACCAR/Peterbilt have those features as well, and most buyers do get at at least minimum safety systems such as auto-emergency-braking and stability control.

I agree with your general premise, but it is important to note that that trucking didn’t suddenly become a contracted job. It always has been. There’s more hourly drivers than ever before. If it weren’t for non-productive time and volatile fuel prices,  contacted mileage compensation wouldn’t be so bad.

It’s the popularity of front “leveling” lift kits, even more so than LED conversions. Factory LEDs are by far the worst on “leveled” trucks that weren’t re-aimed. 

I think it’s because old autos didn’t have overdrive. So they had quite a bit of engine braking on the highway. Engine braking on ice is bad news because if they start sliding, you’ve gotta give it throttle which is very non-intuitive for most folks.

In cold weather, it takes 15-20 min for my engine oil to get up temp. I was surprised it take so long (It’s a Focus ST, so it’s my first time having an engine oil temp gauge). So yeah, I take it easier longer now, than I used to.

So what about Ford EcoBoosts? Would you lump that in the same category? To get the high-output 3.5L you have to get the Limited or Raptor. Or, you get reprogram your base EcoBoost for $600 and also get the extra HP. There’s not difference in mechanicals, except the Raptor has a fancy exhaust, which seems to be there…

The Port of Portland container operations is back online. They kicked out the operator, so the Longshoremen are working for the Port directly. I think I read they’re unloading 6 ships/week right now. Drop in the bucket compared to Long Beach but the have capacity for far more, as long as the Longshoremen don’t lay…

They’re pretty popular in the PNW. Seems to have captured a lot of former Element owners. I have one for work. It’s nice. Spartan, but functionally works very well and handles far more nimble than the Pacifica. 

Note: the train number is “7/27” because the “27” half splits from the “7” half in Spokane, with “27” going to Portland. It was the “27” cars that all went on their sides.

With a 20" raised roof like this one has, you can stand normally up to about 5'-10". 

The E-series did not get any 3-valve modular motors, so the 2-piece breaking plugs are NOT an issue. I’ve never run into a single stuck plug on a 2-valve.

100% this! At least from what I’ve observed.

The plugs on the van are easier than the pickup IMO. Because you can access both ends. The back 3 on the pickups are nearly impossible without using at least a few wobbly extensions. Also, the vans only got single-piece plugs since they only got the 2-valve version.

Agile no longer offers TTB. QuadVan offered it originally (Ford QVM certified, so dealer could sell them as “Ford Factory 4x4"... just like Quigley’s solid axle converion) but had to stop when Dana stopped production of the TTB assemblies, since they can only install new parts as part of their QVM certification. Agile…

Came here to post the same thing. The explorer is no slouch.

There’s nothing wrong with the water quality in the Willamette anymore. I float and SUP in it regularly, and sometimes even just free-swim to get some miles in.

Welcome to VanLife! Having a van is great! Here’s my E350, which is about 1,500 miles shy of a half-million.