|
As Ford and Toyota announced factory closings and other reduced production, it became public knowledge that most wiring harnesses come out of Ukraine. Ford Explorers will not be equipped with air conditioning among other comforts until components become available.
We’re lucky to have no need for a/c with our open air rides; however we will be experiencing the loss of some options and accessories for a while. Production dates will identify what options will be factory installed or possibly retrofittable at a future date.
It’s a whole new world out there; allocation and production have been cut because of chips, wiring harnesses, trucking, distribution, etc worldwide…and now Eastern Europe.
Thought I’d change up the tenor by including a copy of our FIRST Newsletter dated April 1977. Laurie would type one up, send it out to be copied, fold, stop, stamp and originally hand address envelopes. How time has changed. Reading it takes us back to simpler times before chips, internet and “computers on wheels” we enjoy today.
|
Stamped along the sidewall you will find a series of numbers; while most are control numbers, there are 4 to look for. After the DOT number on any DOT approved tire will be 4 numbers slightly separated from the others. A stamping of “2019” means the tire was manufactured the 20th week of 2019. Most manufacturers consider a tire as “ brand new” if less than 3 years old and “new” if less than 5 years old. Because of the shortage of tires, we have found customers bringing in tires for mounting that are over 10 years old. Buyer beware.
