• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Automotive technology you miss.


Volkshook

Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2019
Messages
52
Reaction score
36
Points
18
Location
Utah
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ranger XL
Engine Size
3.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
Pretty sure it's stock. I could be wrong.
Tire Size
P215/75R15
My credo
Nothing personal. I'd rather be driving my Bug.
Sorry, I only made it 7 pages or so in. But it's 0230, I have to be up in 4 hours, and I had thoughts I wanted to share in response to these early posts.

#1 Floor mounted high beam switches. It's just common sense! You shouldn't need to take your damn hands off the wheel on a dark country road to turn your high beams on/off or flash another car for deer/cops ahead!
You must be kidding...? Hard to do when doing the 3 pedal tango, added a switch in dash for easy on/off. Nowadays, the switch is in the stalk in steering column.
Oh, man. I don't have a left hand (it's congenital; never did have one), so any hand control on the driver's left is a pain in the ass (but guess where the turn signal, wiper controls, headlight switch, dimmer switch, cabin light, and parking brake release are all located on a '93 Ranger...yeah, okay, that one I didn't think through when I bought it). Go ahead; try rolling down your window with your right hand next time. Worst positioned window crank I've ever used. Actually, one of the things I used to brag about with my Bug, though, was the dimmer switch being on the floor. Three-pedal tango is easy compared to reaching around what passes for a steering wheel these days. Besides, when do you ever have to operate the clutch and dimmer switch simultaneously? Also, with my Bug, I could reach through the steering wheel, but thanks to the explosive device they stick in there now, it's more like a giant M&M you grip the edges of to steer, so I have to reach around. Happily, an advantage of my '93: no airbag to accidentally go off and break the only arm I've got.

Manual transmissions.
This exact thing was one of the non-negotiable features I need, which led to my finding myself in a '93 Ranger. I don't care how reliable automatic transmissions are or ever will be. My left foot gets bored in an automatic, and starts stomping the floor, looking for a clutch every time I let my guard down. And if I'm lucky, it doesn't find a pedal. No, I'm too used to a stick, even if you ignore my control-freak issues. Besides, automatic transmissions just feel lazy to me. Too much modern automotive design seems intended to divorce the driver's senses from the road, which takes the fun out of driving.

Front door window vent, AKA Wind Wings :)
Right there with you!
 


Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,710
Reaction score
13,166
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
Dang VW guys... surprised you didn't say silly luggage compartment where the engine should be and splined rear brake drums.
 

91stranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2010
Messages
1,806
Reaction score
512
Points
113
Location
Whats round on the sides and hi in the middle-OHIO
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
Gets Mo Chicks
Engine Size
4.2 straight six powered by gremlins, goblins and mudbloods.
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
One thing I always hated about VW and Mercedes were those stupid wheel lug bolts.. Stupidest way to mount a tire ever! Not so bad with smaller 16" bug wheels but when you got a really wide 18-19" wheel then it sucks compared to a regular wheel stud. Damn german tech...
 

Ranger850

Doesn't get Sarcasm . . .
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Jan 24, 2018
Messages
8,429
Reaction score
4,664
Points
113
Location
Tallahassee Florida
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
Born with a 3.0, looking for a donor V8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
Stock 2"
Tire Size
Stock
My credo
Doing things wrong, until I get it right.
My first vehicle was an '83 Ranger. Horn was no problem as a stalk horn, just give it a push towards the stalk with the palm of your left hand. (unless you don't have one...). Didn't seem weird at the time, but now it just seem silly to have a horn NOT on the steering wheel, but I also had a Maverick (72) AND IT HAD THE HEADLIHGT DIMMER ON THE FLOOR., (whoops, caps lock got hit) That's what I miss.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,390
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
One thing I always hated about VW and Mercedes were those stupid wheel lug bolts.. Stupidest way to mount a tire ever! Not so bad with smaller 16" bug wheels but when you got a really wide 18-19" wheel then it sucks compared to a regular wheel stud. Damn german tech...
Hyundai did that with at least one of their car models. I forget which model bit when I was working the rear brakes on an ex’s car, it had lug bolts.
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
They are cheaper to make plain and simple. Volkswagen saved 3 cents a peice not having a seperate stud and nut.

The VW techs usually have a set of special studs they put on after they take the wheel off so when they go to reinstall the wheel there is something there to slide the wheel onto. Then they remove the studs one by one to install the bolts.

So VW made even more money selling tools to use their stupid wheel bolts. (y)

Add to that if you snap a wheel bolt VW makes EVEN MORE money since you cant just bang it out with a punch and hammer like a normal wheel stud. Most people have to take a trip to the dealer to get the stupid thing out.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,214
Reaction score
17,530
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
One thing I always hated about VW and Mercedes were those stupid wheel lug bolts.. Stupidest way to mount a tire ever! Not so bad with smaller 16" bug wheels but when you got a really wide 18-19" wheel then it sucks compared to a regular wheel stud. Damn german tech...
Pish, my tractors use them.

You think a little bug tire is bad... try a 4.5’ foot tall tire full of liquid ballast and a 100# cast iron weight.
 

G8orFord

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Mar 31, 2019
Messages
814
Reaction score
803
Points
93
Location
FL
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC S/C
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
Just the right size to touch the ground.
Ya'll do know they sell stud kits to fix the VW bolt problem, right?

My daughter's Jetta has the bolts, but it's not that big of an issue since the wheel is hub centric.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,214
Reaction score
17,530
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Ya'll do know they sell stud kits to fix the VW bolt problem, right?
I have a lot of problems, thankfully a VW isn’t one of them.
 

8thTon

Well-Known Member
--- Banned ---
Joined
Jan 13, 2019
Messages
1,378
Reaction score
806
Points
113
Location
Pennsylvania
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
My world is filled with stuff that needs to be fixed
I have no problems with VWs either - I forbid any of my family from ever buying one, or at least I told them I'd never work on the thing!
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,055
Reaction score
13,529
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
I want a VW Thing...
34359


Without a VW engine.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,214
Reaction score
17,530
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual

G8orFord

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Mar 31, 2019
Messages
814
Reaction score
803
Points
93
Location
FL
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC S/C
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
Just the right size to touch the ground.
On a separate note, can somebody please fix the thread title. My OCD is in overload.
@Jim Oaks

o_O
 

Everlearn

Active Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 27, 2019
Messages
99
Reaction score
104
Points
33
Location
Louisville KY
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
Ford Ranger 4x4
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Used to roll around in the bed of the old man’s 62 Ford pickup, along with 20-30 Miller Hi-life bottles. Had to dodge empties as he sailed them into the bed...always had a pint of Wild Turkey 101 tucked in the seat and a half case of Hi-life in a Coleman cooler on the floor. Dozen or so empty Salem menthol 100s packs crumpled across the dashboard, ashtray full of ash n butts. Ah.....the good ‘ole days!
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top