Electrical accessories

[Rich'sToys]

The thread about the pickup tailgate that won't work got me to thinking:

Call me old fashioned, but why do they have to put all this electrical crap on modern vehicles? Same with hatchbacks and sliding doors on vans that open and close by themselves, etc., etc. Just more things that can go wrong! We've been opening and closing our own doors and tailgates for years. If a person can't do that, maybe they shouldn't be driving a vehicle!

Didn't want to hijack that thread, so started my own.

 

[Tx Jim]

Because lazy folks want all those electronic controlled gadgets. Not me the less electronics that control things the better I like it.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

The thread about the pickup tailgate that won't work got me to thinking:

Call me old fashioned, but why do they have to put all this electrical crap on modern vehicles? Same with hatchbacks and sliding doors on vans that open and close by themselves, etc., etc. Just more things that can go wrong! We've been opening and closing our own doors and tailgates for years. If a person can't do that, maybe they shouldn't be driving a vehicle!

Didn't want to hijack that thread, so started my own.

The thread about the pickup tailgate that won't work got me to thinking:

Call me old fashioned, but why do they have to put all this electrical crap on modern vehicles? Same with hatchbacks and sliding doors on vans that open and close by themselves, etc., etc. Just more things that can go wrong! We've been opening and closing our own doors and tailgates for years. If a person can't do that, maybe they shouldn't be driving a vehicle!

Didn't want to hijack that thread, so started my own.

Be good If they would just make a reliable plain jane car, but the government has mandated a lot of this stuff. The big profit are in the accessories like power everything and electronic keys that cost $500 to replace if you lose it.

 

[1948CaseVAI]

My dad said my grandpa had a hard time understanding why some makers put electric starters on tracrors. The crank was good enough for him.

Yes the computers and array of motors and circuits create a challenge but most of us in the world enjoy the convenience. For example I never want to have to insert a key into an ignition switch in order to start a vehicle again, nor do I want to manually unlock a door or turn headlights on or off. I enjoy opening the tailgate remotely when I pick up a Sam's order etc. Did anyone complain about self-canceling turn signals after the turn is completed? Same idea. When it all breaks you just pony up the money to get it fixed. Change is part of progress and is not stoppable.

 

[wh]

Looking at a new vehicle here soon. It will be the basic model. No extras. Been looking online and they are out there but scattered. I do not need all the extras they want to put on. Last 2 new vehicles i did same.

 

[rrlund]

Beats the heck out of me. Royse bought a new pickup a few years ago. He was showing it to me after he got it. He wanted the tow package. That didn't just mean a brake controller and a plug in, there were about a hundred accessories that he didn't want and weren't necessary that he had to take to get it. It was all in the one size fits all tow package.

 

[Charlie M]

I've got a real basic 2019 F150 that doesn't have electronic door locks and power windows. People laugh at me when I have to roll down my own windows. My truck will be in the junk yard at the same time the expensive ones are with all the gadgets so I'll take the savings now from not buying all that stuff. It was hard to find a new truck with out a ton of the gadgets, a regular cab and 8ft box.

 

[GChief]

Old fashion

 

[urbancase]

well i get what you are saying, however i own one a gmc ton truck with 2 part tailgate that makes a step. its nice when i pick up all the flowers for the wife in it and be able step up in the bed. also when i travel to our other plants and the one in South Carolina is a 600 mile drive from home, the hands free calling and lane guidance along with other safety features are nice. the cameras for trailers hooking for bumbler to gooseneck along with exhaust brake is a plus. the older i get the more comfort i like and yes if something goes wrong you pay for it.

 

[Tony in SD]

To answer your question; If one manufacturer provides a new gadget, they all have to follow or get left behind. As others have said, even a starter was an unnecessary electric device at one time. Personally, I have a fully loaded 2024 Ford F350 Limited. It has power/automatic everything, lights & cameras everywhere, everything is monitored from the dash, Bluetooth, WiFi, seat massage, and a whole bunch of other gadgets. I can start and turn off the motor, monitor the fuel level, lock & unlock the doors, and a few other things from my phone. I must say I enjoy all that at my age. Especially when it is reall cold or hot, I can start my pickup with my phone anywhere in the world. I know it will cost more to maintain but then so does some of my other toys. I do have an older beater pickup, a Dodge 2500 with 6 speed manual transmission. The power windows/locks quit working so with the aid of a VOM I fixed them both my self. Did I mention I sure like the comforts of the new Ford. Oh by the way you can special order a plain Jane pickup. Just remember Jane is not a plain as she used to be 50 years ago.

 

[kencombs]

I have and like some of the convenience stuff. Power van doors and tailgate sure come in handy. Got a sunroof but wish I didn't as they all will leak at some point in time. Edit to add> I've had to unstop the roof drain lines twice and replace one sliding door harness assembly once.Not bad for 18 years I guess.

But, I fail to understand the infotainment centers. How the same government that discourages use of cell phones while driving thinks having to remove your gaze from the road to do most anything is OK boggles the mind. Knobs and switches don't require me to look at them to feel the click. I drive my g-grandson's Toyota occasionally and can't do anything to the air, heat, radio,any accessory without taking my eyes off the traffic. Not safe IMO.

Lane keeping ok I guess but on most local roads it's useless as the required markings are not clear enough.

 

[GChief]

To answer your question; If one manufacturer provides a new gadget, they all have to follow or get left behind. As others have said, even a starter was an unnecessary electric device at one time. Personally, I have a fully loaded 2024 Ford F350 Limited. It has power/automatic everything, lights & cameras everywhere, everything is monitored from the dash, Bluetooth, WiFi, seat massage, and a whole bunch of other gadgets. I can start and turn off the motor, monitor the fuel level, lock & unlock the doors, and a few other things from my phone. I must say I enjoy all that at my age. Especially when it is reall cold or hot, I can start my pickup with my phone anywhere in the world. I know it will cost more to maintain but then so does some of my other toys. I do have an older beater pickup, a Dodge 2500 with 6 speed manual transmission. The power windows/locks quit working so with the aid of a VOM I fixed them both my self. Did I mention I sure like the comforts of the new Ford. Oh by the way you can special order a plain Jane pickup. Just remember Jane is not a plain as she used to be 50 years ago.

Agree with everything said here. We will be looking at end of year 2026 Ranger Raptors to replace our 95 Jeep GC as the camper tow vehicle/toy

 

[matthies]

I would be happy with a brand new 1984 Chevy K10 or 20. To replace the rusted out one I am driving.

 

[trackrat]

wanted a one ton ford 3 years ago non to be found so we found a chevy 4 wheel drive the only 350 fords were also 4wd there are almost no 350 fords or 3500 chevys not 4wd

 

[Rich'sToys]

In the original thread I referenced, the guy replaced his electric tailgate and it still don't work, and they're telling him it needs to be programmed into the computer before it will work. To me that's just overkill! Why can't you just unplug the old one, plug in the new one, and be done with it?
Makes no sense to me.

 

[Tgrasher]

Currently looking for a used Ram 3500 one ton, what a pain. All I need is the HO Cummins and the goose neck hitch in the basic models. Found a couple but they're 6 to 8 hours away. Don't want to travel that far and find out things aren't as described.

 

[Brad_G]

In the original thread I referenced, the guy replaced his electric tailgate and it still don't work, and they're telling him it needs to be programmed into the computer before it will work. To me that's just overkill! Why can't you just unplug the old one, plug in the new one, and be done with it?
Makes no sense to me.

Part of it is probably theft deterrent. How much would it cost to buy that tailgate? If it requires programming then you have to visit a dealer. It's money for the dealer (which they like) along with likely serial number tracking for stolen property.

 

[Ray,IN]

FWIW, you can still buy a new work truck, with manual crank windows, no radio, etc.
Brad_G., I was visiting my neighbor, who owned an auto shop, when a Ford rep stopped it trying to sell him a Ford diagnostic computer.
When my neighbor turned the Ford rep. down, the Ford rep told him that Fords long range goal is to design their vehicles so only a Ford garage could work on them. The industry is getting there- slowly.

 

[NDIHC]

In the original thread I referenced, the guy replaced his electric tailgate and it still don't work, and they're telling him it needs to be programmed into the computer before it will work. To me that's just overkill! Why can't you just unplug the old one, plug in the new one, and be done with it?
Makes no sense to me.

Because the computer has to learn the tailgate position sensors and limit switches. Also may be variant coding that needs to be entered to make it compatible with the rest of the vehicle.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

In the original thread I referenced, the guy replaced his electric tailgate and it still don't work, and they're telling him it needs to be programmed into the computer before it will work. To me that's just overkill! Why can't you just unplug the old one, plug in the new one, and be done with it?
Makes no sense to me.

That's so the dealer can get $100-$200 from you to hookup his computer to your vehicle for 5 minutes. Just wonderful isn't it.