from the best that I can gather from reading every board and auto rag that I run across, here is the skinny on the 07.
supposed to be very similar to the TONKA concept a few years ago. They are rumored to be going to a 6.4L HPCR diesel, possibly twin turbo run in series (boosts low end responsiveness). It will be an International.
The rumors regarding possible Cummins, John Deere, etc are in regards to the plans of placing a diesel powerplant in the F-150. Catepillar has no interest in the small diesel market, they have publicly said so time and time again. They do not want the headaches of working with one of the major manufactures who would constantly try to ratchet down the prices. High volume, low margin products are not in their best interest, and they know it.
There will be significant upgrades to the interior as well. The front bucket seats had to be redesigned (to be narrower) due to the transmission housing changes. This could represent different ride heights of the cab on the frame (for improved entry/exit) , different ride height of the engine/transmission on the frame (for increased ground clearance), or, less likely, different transmission options. There has even been a rumor floating around of air-ride seats like the big boys have. I think that the TONKA concept had these as well.
The only problem with all of this is, "how much is it going to cost"? That is a difficult question to answer. The domestic automakers are all in a pickle right now due to suffocating pension and health care expenses, promises made years ago that they never really could afford to keep. The UAW, God bless them, have not made the situation any easier. The most profitable sector is the domestic pickup and SUV market. They have both taken a hit due to rising fuel costs and stand to take a much larger hit in the future. The big three will be left with some tough decisions, which I believe that they will be forced into, with the introduction of a FULL size next-gen Toyota Tundra and possibly a HD Nissan Titan. Both foreign manufacturers enjoy the luxury of being able to build the same vehicle for several thousands cheaper due their lack of the before stated financial burdens.
I personally believe that the current pickup is priced at the upper end of what the market will allow. You simply cannot push the price much above 50K before people start saying "what the he**" . Your decked out Ford and GMC's already have crossed that magic threshold.
With all that said, I will be the first one in the order banks for an 08 F350 King Ranch, assuming that they don't have the same problems iwith the 6.4 that they have had with the 6.0, price be d*****.
