2018 Ford Expedition

[FishOnOne]

Looks like a nice vehicle, but I'm not sure what to say about that dial knob business.

Link

[brulaz]

Tvov wrote:

...
Does ANY new vehicle with an automatic transmission - no matter if steering wheel column shifter, floor shifter, or whichever - actually have the shifter directly connected to the transmission by a cable or rod?

What about when locking the tranny into park? It sure feels like I'm mechanically putting that parking pawl in place with the 68RFE in the RAM Cummins.

[Fordlover]

I'm not a fan of the knob either. If you have a low voltage situation, can you even get the tranny out of park, say if you needed to push it out of a parking spot to give it a jump start? The rest of it sounds pretty good, I know that ecoboost is incredible. I still think Ford should bring back the Excursion for big families that like to pull a camper.

[Tvov]

So, is the dial knob "shifter" the way of the future? A friend bought a Ram truck last year and it has the dial knob shifter.

Just weird to me... I don't think it will change how the transmission works, as almost all vehicles have had cable-less "computer shifting" for years now. Does ANY new vehicle with an automatic transmission - no matter if steering wheel column shifter, floor shifter, or whichever - actually have the shifter directly connected to the transmission by a cable or rod?

[gbopp]

jfkmk wrote:
Hate the dial knob!

I don't like it either, I'd rather see the old push button gear selector than a twist knob.
But, in the future, probably everything will be a knob if it's cheaper.

[Jebby14]

id love one for half of what they will charge

[FishOnOne]

thomasmnile wrote:
From the Detroit Free Press

I read the FREEP column. Looks like Ford is swinging for the fences here. But I wonder, is the 3.5L Ecoboost enough engine in this application for towing? The low profile tires (20" or 22" on the Platinum Edition, doesn't that affect towing? Are these multi-speed trannys CVT or what? Exterior kinda pedestrian, but how much styling can you do with a shoebox? Interior is certainly nice and can be ordered chock full of gee whiz gadgets. Last quesition: How much $$$$$$?

Go to the "2017 F150 and Titan Ike Gauntlet" thread and check out the video of the 2017 Eco Boost pull. That engine never broke a sweat pulling that load with the new 10 speed tranny.

[jfkmk]

Hate the dial knob!

[thomasmnile]

From the Detroit Free Press

I read the FREEP column. Looks like Ford is swinging for the fences here. But I wonder, is the 3.5L Ecoboost enough engine in this application for towing? The low profile tires (20" or 22" on the Platinum Edition, doesn't that affect towing? Are these multi-speed trannys CVT or what? Exterior kinda pedestrian, but how much styling can you do with a shoebox? Interior is certainly nice and can be ordered chock full of gee whiz gadgets. Last quesition: How much $$$$$$?

[zombojoe]

Payload and towing specs should be increased from previous Expeditions due to the lighter weight and more power thanks to that gen2 Ecoboost (375 hp, 470 tq), but I think you're right to be iffy about the dial knob. A proper tow vehicle, no matter how much power or gears to utilize that power, should at least allow the driver to choose what gear they want, especially on the hills.