From page 33

body structure, the °97 F-150
exhibits considerably more
control, stability, and comfort
on smooth and uneven sur-
faces.

In terms of convenience,
the most significant improve-
ment to the SuperCab
{extended cab) model is a
standard passenger-side rear
door hinged from the rear

. which allows easier access to
the rear, three-person bench
seat. For safety, it cannot be

airbags a first

opened until the front door
has been opened. It is the
only door in its class with its
own inside door handie.

Even the Regular Cab
model has 129 mm (5.1 in)
more cab length which
allows more seat travel and a
lot more cargo urea behind
the front seats.

Another first in the pickup
truck class is standard front
dual airbags, knee bolsters,
and a unique safety feature: a
passenger airbag that can be
turned off to prevent possible

injuries to children in rear-
facing child seats,

It's obvious that a fot af
thought has gone into
improvements to the cargo
box too. The rear tailgate,
which is removable, is now
lockable so thieves can't
make off with it. There's a
new plastic moulding on the
iop of the box to prevent
scraping and plastic caps in
the stake holes to stop poten-
tial rusting. Four tie-down
cleats and built-in slots for
2X4's make it easier to

secure loads.

This week's test-truck is
the F-150 Flareside model, a
pickup distinguished by its
fared rear fenders, pinched
body sides behind the cab,
and wrap-around rear tai-
lights. The Flareside’s styling
is a modern variation of pick-
up trucks from the 30's, 40's
and 50's, which all had
exposed fenders and narrow
boxes.

The Flareside is available
onty in 1/2 ton F-150 in 4X2
or 4X4 in both Regular Cab

Friday, June 21, 1996 -- North Shore News ~ 35

and SuperCab body styles
with short or long wheelbase.
It comes only with the short
6 1/72 foot box, Base payload
capacity in the 4X2 model is
735 kg (1,620 fs.) and mas-
imum capacity is 937 kg
(2,065 tbs.).

Though the Flareside’s
styling looks sporty, it
teduces the overall width of
the box by 139 mm (5.5
inches) resulting in less

argo space. However, the
width between the wheel
wells remains the same as
the standard box at 127 mm
(50 inches).

The major reason for
choosing the Flareside is
style. As I said, many people

ure now using pickup trucks
as daily drivers. This is a
sporty-looking truck, and if
it's going to be used for more
than just hauling loads, you
might as well look good
duing it.

Part of the Provincial
Road Safety Program.

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