Will Rednecks Buy the Ford Lightning?

[badlatitude]

Well, maybe some wood

Only if it comes with splinters.

 

[Mrleft8]

All they need is after market Train horns, Black smoke generators (I actually saw one of these at the local NAPA today), and massive mud tires.... Oh and some 8 cyl. straight pipe sound effects.....

 

[mikewof]

The frame will be fine GM had a similar issue with the Corvette z06.  They know how to deal with it

Who tows with a Corvette other than maybe a teardrop?

And the Lightning isn't a GM product. Ford HAD problems with some too-thin boxed frames, they beefed them up a bit, though there are apparently still some problems with the Raptor. I've no idea if the frame has been toughened for over 700 foot-pounds of torque though, that is a lot of torque to run 10,000 lbs. through the back of that frame. Can they ramp up the torque on the electric motors if the frame is too loaded?

 

[Pertinacious Tom]

Black smoke generators (I actually saw one of these at the local NAPA today)

This?

For all evap, intake, exhaust, vacuum lines and vacuum components, passenger compartment window and sunroof, headlight/tail-light fixtures and much more. This unit provides the option of compressed air, inert gases and a built-in internal compressor to inject the smoke into the system. Accessories included: full set of block off caps, exhaust cone, evap schrader valve remover/installer, evap service port adapter hose (green cap), high intensity smoke illuminating battery powered flashlight and 8 oz smoke producing fluid

I'm not sure that after flooding the passenger compartment and sunroof and getting smoke to squirt out the light fixtures that I would actually want "much more" of the same. Not even sure wtf they're talking about. And $1,100? I bet I could flood a passenger compartment with much more pleasant smoke for a lot less.

 

[BeSafe]

I bet I could flood a passenger compartment with much more pleasant smoke for a lot less.

This came to mind

 

[bridhb]

All they need is after market Train horns, Black smoke generators (I actually saw one of these at the local NAPA today), and massive mud tires.... Oh and some 8 cyl. straight pipe sound effects.....

Reminds me of a failed project we had to build a "steam generator" using a purposely cavitating pump to power a "historic" steam whistle because it just didn't sound right using compressed air.  After a $million wasted, the leaders decided the compressed air sounded fine.

 

[Steam Flyer]

All they need is after market Train horns, Black smoke generators (I actually saw one of these at the local NAPA today), and massive mud tires.... Oh and some 8 cyl. straight pipe sound effects.....

Reminds me of a failed project we had to build a "steam generator" using a purposely cavitating pump to power a "historic" steam whistle because it just didn't sound right using compressed air.  After a $million wasted, the leaders decided the compressed air sounded fine.

Really? I can see that as a fairly clever solution, although some other kind of mechanism inside a pressure chamber might work better... you'd need to

Shoulda called me, I could put in a nice package boiler with all ancillaries for much less than a million. Of course, actual steam is dangerous and not very enviro-friendly. But it sure does sound like steam!

- DSK

 

[Greever]

Here's an EV that rednecks would buy ...

A gas-electric mid-size similar to the Chevy Colorado, $25,000 MSRP for RWD, $30k for 4WD. Towing capacity should easily hit 10,000 lbs. with the electric drive, payload capacity a quarter-ton, more than enough for general ranch work. Shitcan the expensive V6 engines and just throw in a lightweight rev-limited two cylinder, two-stroke to keep the EV capacitor-battery system charged and an option to use it as a small generator for welding and power tools. The time-temp-turbulence optimization should sail through emissions requirements, lessen the need for a lot of heavy steel in the engine box, keep the price down. Enough plug-in capacity for 50 miles which would mean a small battery and a cheapish super-capacitor to buffer the EV charge, and then the gas engine can kick in, with a 10 gallon tank for unlimited milage at any small-town gas station. Repairs should be dead easy, just pull the little engine when needed, it shouldn't weigh much more than 150 lbs., keep the electronic controls easy to fix, mostly module swaps where possible. Build a reputation of DIY, user repairs, make the money in aftermarket parts rather than the dealer service network.

Build them in Canada-USA-Mexico, call it the Chevy Sheridan. Bench seat up front with cheap saddle cloth covers, steel wheels, AM/FM standard, with the now obligatory back-up camera. The cab should be accessible enough for any ranch-hand to get laid in there as needed but not comfortable enough to get pregnant.

And a secret weapon ... make quarter glass vent windows standard. AC and power windows can be options, but rednecks love those quarter glass vent windows, they'll do anything to get them. Directs the cooling air where it is needed, to the nutsack.

I would buy one to replace my 2016 Colorado.

 

[Voiled]

Mike on battery electric vehicles:

tend to need constant cooling

While i won't go into the rest of your disinformation campaign inspired ramblings, try and let your ICE car run without cooling the next time you go for a ride.

 

[bridhb]

Really? I can see that as a fairly clever solution, although some other kind of mechanism inside a pressure chamber might work better... you'd need to

Shoulda called me, I could put in a nice package boiler with all ancillaries for much less than a million. Of course, actual steam is dangerous and not very enviro-friendly. But it sure does sound like steam!

- DSK

Yeah, it was a couple of big pumps with an accumulator, all the piping and shit.  They never could get it to operate correctly, or for reliably,  so they went back to an air compressor and storage tank and called it a day.  The whistle was (re)located to a the first main water plant in Jax that had a restored (not operating) steam driven water pump, which was actually quite impressive.  If you are ever in Jax again, for some unfortunate reason, look up the Main St. water plant and ask for a tour from JEA, to see the pump.  And if I am still alive, go sailing.

The whistle operates 4 times a day I think, morning, noon, 1 pm and Flintstone's knock off time.  I could never hear a difference between compressed air and steam.  I am sure someone measured the difference though.

 

[bridhb]

Mike on battery electric vehicles:

While i won't go into the rest of your disinformation campaign inspired ramblings, try and let your ICE car run without cooling the next time you go for a ride.

I grew up in a family of air cooled VW's.  Yeah, I know, it is still cooling and there is a very good reason that they are not around much anymore.

 

[Steam Flyer]

Yeah, it was a couple of big pumps with an accumulator, all the piping and shit.  They never could get it to operate correctly, or for reliably,  so they went back to an air compressor and storage tank and called it a day.  The whistle was (re)located to a the first main water plant in Jax that had a restored (not operating) steam driven water pump, which was actually quite impressive.  If you are ever in Jax again, for some unfortunate reason, look up the Main St. water plant and ask for a tour from JEA, to see the pump.  And if I am still alive, go sailing.

The whistle operates 4 times a day I think, morning, noon, 1 pm and Flintstone's knock off time.  I could never hear a difference between compressed air and steam.  I am sure someone measured the difference though.

I can imagine that there is a difference because the whistle and it's aperture are going to heat up and change size as the steam goes thru it. That accounts for the hooting, slightly dissonant sound of a steam calliope... it may be that nobody has heard a real one in so long, people don't know what they sound like other than synthesized ones in cartoons.

But it seems like an expensive bit of nostalgia that will be increasingly meaningless to people who are glued to their "devices" all day. I had a conversation a few years ago with a younger engineer, and the phrase "shovel some coal into the hopper" (as a reference to something old-fashioned and primitive) meant nothing whatever to him. Generations removed from those quaint distant-past mechanisms, so much so that they're not even a whisper in back room of consiousness.

- DSK

 

[El Borracho]

They are the wrong choice for energy storage on electric vehicles and they are an environmental disaster in the making with the Lithium and Rare Earth Elements mining and refining….

You’ve been duped. The “rare earth elements in lithium batteries” is a talking point from the rolling coal people, right? Please enlighten us as to the rare earth elements you believe are in a lithium battery.

Some electric motors use rare earth elements in their magnets. But not the induction motors in popular cars.

Plenty of rare earth elements used in ICE cars and oil refining.

Lithium is not rare. Mining it creates the typical environmental damage.

 

[bridhb]

I can imagine that there is a difference because the whistle and it's aperture are going to heat up and change size as the steam goes thru it. That accounts for the hooting, slightly dissonant sound of a steam calliope... it may be that nobody has heard a real one in so long, people don't know what they sound like other than synthesized ones in cartoons.

But it seems like an expensive bit of nostalgia that will be increasingly meaningless to people who are glued to their "devices" all day. I had a conversation a few years ago with a younger engineer, and the phrase "shovel some coal into the hopper" (as a reference to something old-fashioned and primitive) meant nothing whatever to him. Generations removed from those quaint distant-past mechanisms, so much so that they're not even a whisper in back room of consiousness.

- DSK

Yeah, it was as stupid as the  lifted trucks and blowing coal with fake train horns to terrorize bicyclist and Prius drivers.  Yesterday, saw one with that weird "trophy truck" stance, 4x4, with the required tuner to put out a massive cloud and silly ass low profile tires on huge rims.  If the tires had a two inch sidewall, I would have been surprised.  (are we back on track?)

The "steam whistle" project (along with a lot of other wasteful "projects" our CEO initiated when he was hoping to be mayor) disgusted most of the lower ranks as it was always drilled into us that our mission was to provide great utility service to our rate payers at the lowest cost we could achieve. 

I am sure heat expansion of the whistle (can't remember what metal it was made of) had something to do with it but the explanation we got was density of steam vs air, and of course that neat condensation cloud.

 

[Blue Crab]

I grew up in a family of air cooled VW's.  Yeah, I know, it is still cooling and there is a very good reason that they are not around much anymore.

From Austin, a lot of VWs died getting to Van Horn, TX. That long, slow uphill in the heat was killer. I did all my desert/mtn driving at night. Now on I 10 one can drive across Tx in 12-14 hours. It was at least a 2 day trip for hippies in VWs.

 

[Blue Crab]

I would buy one to replace my 2016 Colorado.

I just got new wheels but if I could have bought a new plain jane small pick up without all the electronics, I would have.

 

[SloopJonB]

The cab should be accessible enough for any ranch-hand to get laid in there as needed but not comfortable enough to get pregnant.

I would buy one to replace my 2016 Colorado.

Won't sell.

How will trash like Boebert be able to get knocked up and deliver in a truck like that?

 

[Blue Crab]

She's quite short. But those short little legs look great in boots. Add a tube top and we got us a cuntry song. 

 

[WhoaTed]

. I am sure heat expansion of the whistle (can't remember what metal it was made of) had something to do with it but the explanation we got was density of steam vs air, and of course that neat condensation cloud.

Many (most?) were made of brass, I don’t recall exactly why (minimal corrosion was part of it) and am too lazy to research it at the moment but take it FWIW.

 

[mikewof]

I would buy one to replace my 2016 Colorado.

2016 Colorado, that truck will be good to go until 2035 if you let it. It's a Chevy.