Recall - `Bigfoot Cruiser' Modifications: Overview
87ford25October, 1987
To: Selected North American Ford Product Dealers and Affiliated Ford Motor Companies
Subject: Safety Recall 87S35 - "Bigfoot Cruiser" Promotional Vehicles Based on 1987 Ford Ranger, F-150 and F-250 4x4 Pickup Trucks
VEHICLES AFFECTED
"Bigfoot Cruiser" promotional vehicles manufactured by Scherer Truck Equipment, Inc. from certain Ranger, F-150 and F-250 4 x 4 pickup trucks.
REASON FOR THIS RECALL
Ford Motor Company has determined that certain defects related to motor vehicle safety exist in "Bigfoot Cruiser" modifications of some 1987 Ford Ranger, F-150 and F-250 4 x 4 pickup trucks. The affected trucks were built with unapproved wheels, tires, wheel lug nuts, electrical wiring and, in some cases, bumpers and winch assemblies. Under some conditions the oversize tires on these vehicles can rub certain vehicle components (including front brake hoses on Rangers). These conditions could cause a tire blow-out while driving or abrasion of the front brake hose (Ranger), eventually resulting in partial loss of brake function. Also, the wheel lug nuts are not of a design compatible with the wheels. Incompatible wheel and lug nuts can result in lug nuts becoming loose potentially resulting in separation of a wheel from the vehicle. Either condition could happen without warning to the driver and could create the potential for loss of vehicle control and a vehicle crash.
Technical instructions are not yet completed; however, we expect the remedy to include:
^ Replacement of wheels, tires and lug nuts (all vehicles)
^ Removal of front bumper winch, brush guard and, in some cases, fog lamps (units equipped with front bumper winch)
^ Replacement of front and rear bumpers (except Ranger)
^ Revise the rear power window circuit (units equipped with rear power window)
^ Replacement of light bar attachment hardware (all vehicles)
WARNING FORD RECOMMENDS THAT THESE VEHICLES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY TO
DEALERS AND THAT OWNERS NOT CONTINUE TO OPERATE THEM. Dealers are to provide owners with a loaner or rental vehicle, without cost (except for fuel) until the necessary repairs are completed on the owner's truck. This bulletin also confirms the continuation of the delivery hold on the subject vehicles in dealer stock.
CASH PAYMENT Because certain equipment will be removed or substituted,
Ford will give owners a compensating cash payment of an
amount no less than the difference between the original
purchase price of the equipment removed or replaced and the
value of the substituted equipment.
ACTION BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Ford is recalling the involved vehicles to correct the described concern, at no cost to owners.
Owners are being notified by First Class Mail to return their vehicles to their dealers without delay.
We have enclosed a list of vehicles involved in this recall delivered to your dealership. If no vehicle listing is enclosed, you are not involved at this time, and this service Recall Bulletin is for information only.
DEALER - OWNER CONTACT
If a suspect vehicle has been sold, but the owner's name and address does not appear on the list, contact the owner immediately. Provide the owner with a copy of the attached owner letter.
DEALER-DISTRICT SUPERVISING LOCATION CONTACT
Advise your district office or supervising Ford location if an owner cannot be contacted, or an owner does not make a service date. FIES or the Affiliate Company will handle further notification.
Report to your supervising Ford location or this office any problem you have with this recall.
CARES/OASIS (Dealers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. V.I.)
Even if a customer has a preprinted Form 1864, you must use CARES or OASIS to determine if a vehicle is eligible for this recall.
Advise owners of any other recall that may be uncompleted. You should attempt to complete all open recalls on these vehicles on a single visit by the owner.
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS
We will have detailed technical instructions shortly.
October, 1987
Dear "Bigfoot" Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Ford Motor Company has determined that safety defects exist in certain "Bigfoot Cruiser" vehicles, which include special equipment packages installed by an independent truck equipment supplier on some 4 x 4 Ranger Supercab pickup trucks.
Safety Defect The vehicles have several safety concerns including the
potential for tire interference with body sheet metal and brake lines, improperly sized and inadequately attached wheels, and power rear windows that operate independently of the ignition switch.
Warning Continued operation of one of these vehicles could result
in a tire blow-out, partial loss of braking capability, or loosening and potential separation of a wheel. A crash could result. In addition, a risk of serious injury is present if small children operate the rear power window when the vehicle is unattended.
What You Should Do
YOU ARE REQUESTED TO PROMPTLY TAKE YOUR "BIGFOOT CRUISER" TO THE FORD DEALER FROM WHOM YOU PURCHASED IT. The dealer has been instructed to provide you with a loaner or to help you obtain a rental vehicle, free of charge (except for the fuel used), until your truck has been corrected.
You should call your dealer promptly to make arrangements for the return of your truck to your dealer and to pick up a loaner vehicle. When you bring your truck in to pick up a loaner vehicle, give the dealer the enclosed form.
If you misplace the form, your dealer will still give you a loaner vehicle and do the work, free of charge.
Repairs The corrections will include installing Ford-approved
tires, shock absorbers and making certain electrical wiring modifications and other "internal" corrections. The tires to be installed will be smaller to fit properly in the wheel housings. The wheels will be very similar in appearance to those they replace. The power rear window (if your vehicle is so equipped) will be wired so that it cannot be operated if the ignition keys are removed. Bumper mounted winches and brush guards will be removed.
Your dealer will contact you when he receives the necessary instructions to correct your vehicle. Dealers will have instructions and parts available soon for making the corrections.
Cash payment Because certain equipment will be removed or
substituted, Ford will give owners a compensating cash payment of an amount no less than the difference between the original purchase price of the equipment removed or replaced and the value of the substituted equipment. See Attachment.
Have you changed your address or sold the truck?
Please fill out Section 1 of the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us, if you have changed your address or sold the truck.
If you have difficulties in obtaining a loaner or rental vehicle, please contact this office at the address shown on the letterhead. If you are unsatisfied with the repairs that are made to your vehicle, you may send a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590, or call the toll free Auto Safety Hotline 800-424-9393.
We regret the inconvenience this service may cause you, but we want you to have this work done for your safety and satisfaction with your Ford truck.