Bounder owners, need parts availibiliy info.

[mchero]

Know of a couple (full timers) stranded in Maine.
Apparently the shift linkage between the steering column is broken. Couple were told that the parts where obsolete! With THOUSANDS of Bounders on the road I find this VERY hard to believe.
I'm pasting the response to my question, whats the make/model. Xing out info like VIN..

It wasn’t Richard who told me the part was obsolete. It was the head honcho at the Ford dealership AND a welder who works for Napa. There was no discussion of cost. Here is info (& more) that you asked for: 2001 F series V10 Triton 6.8 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Built 10-9-2000

IF additional info needed let me know.

Couple winterized the RV they are living in. No water or bathroom facilities!!! OUCH!!!

Thanks for the info.! Im half tempted to purchase the parts for them!
I'm in NH but currently unable to physically assist due to my new job.

Robert

[mchero]

Thanks ever so much for the posts! I passed the info. to the stranded party. Hopefully they will get the help they need.

[MrWizard]

I have to agree the cable should be available IF that is what is needed
A few years back I was able to get a shift cable for a MH on a 72 dodge M500 chassis new about $90

Now linkage rods should be able to find those from a wrecked truck
Or new thru a truck repair shop

Threaded rods, swivel universal ends etc..
This stuff all exists and can be used to fabricate a new part

i would not be spending the winter that way
i would put a hole in the floor and attach a makeshift shifter and drive out of there

they need to get a truck Mechanic/tranny guy to look at it (paid service call) so he can find the parts, they get towed to the shop and on the road again

explicit info on what is Broken could maybe be a help

[Big_Katuna]

I agree an independently owned transmission shop might be their best bet.

I had poor experiences with Ford dealers and Ford Truck Centers in the NE.

[westernrvparkow]

Got to agree with Drew, it shouldn't be hard to find replacement parts. Google comes up with a bunch of different suppliers for F53 Chassis shift cables and linkages. Ford may no longer stock new OEM parts, so a dealership might not be the best place to seek repairs. I think an independent transmission shop or full line garage might be the best option. The parts needed would not be a coach product, so the fact the RV is a Bounder shouldn't be a consideration for the repairs. What might be an issue is the fact that it is a motorhome, not a commercial truck. There is just a lot more stuff to get in the way of the repair that needs to be covered, protected or removed compared to a bare bones commercial vehicle. Things such as carpet and pretty trim for example. You might find shops refusing to work on RVs or charging a higher rate due to that fact. Let us know how everything works out.

[DrewE]

What part specifically are they looking for?

I would guess (but I don't know for sure) that most parts of the shift linkage for the F53 chassis would be shared by a fair few other vehicles, and may be available used from junkyards. If its the Bowden cable, possibly a new one could be made up if it's of a strange length or something along those lines. This doesn't seem to me like something that would be completely and totally unobtainium; but I've been mistaken about such things in the past, too.

[midnightsadie]

parts might not be there its 18teen years old, might try a rv grave yard. OR is it a part a machine shop could re produce?