I stopped by my dealers today to discuss the 18G vs 18R issue. I asked if it turns out that I can't get the IUP if the I was still going to get the side air bags that I ordered and he said yes. I thought I read on the board that the side air bags were only available with the IUP. Which is correct?

Also which 2 gauges are missing with the 18R package?

 

The 18G (full IUP package) is required for side airbags

The oil pressure and voltage gauges are gone with the base instrument cluster. They are replaced by dummy lights.

 

Steve,

Has Ford given any reason for not freeing the side air bags?

Rich,

Nice Garden Burgers!

 

I don't know if this helps or not, but on the Ford Vehicles Website, when you go to "build your own" 2005 mustang, when you get to the part where you select the options you want, it has Front Seat Side Mounted Airbags listed as a seperate option. Selecting or not selecting the IUP has no effect on this option, which leads me to believe that they are not in fact tied to each other. This would make sense, since appearance and safety aren't related.

 

Side airbags are required with the 18G (full IUP package)

But can you still order them with the GT Premium interior?

 

Rich, unfortuanley no side airbags without IUP, simple as that.

Apparently to have them offered on the standard interior, crash testing has to be done again (brad explained this somewhere)

 

If you dont have IUP you CANNOT get sideairbags.

 

They are listed seperately because you can order the IUP without the side airbags, but the reverse is not true. Just as Galaxie stated, if you want airbags you have to take the IUP. Try optioning up a car in the "build your own" with only the airbags only and it will prompt you that the IUP is necessary in order to get the airbags.

However. I think the question that Rich was trying to get answered was since IUP is on hold does that mean Ford might "tweak" the options package and build cars with the side-bags but without the IUP. Under normal circumstances you cannot get the bags without the IUP, but these are not normal circumstances.

Having worked at a car factory I can tell you that I have seen a lot of things done like this, especially when the think the shortage will be prolonged. I also saw Volvo do this on a couple of occasions when options were delayed/discontinued on cars already ordered which made for some interesting conversations with customers.

I have not heard anybody say anything that would suggest Ford is doing this. And, there could be complications for Ford in doing this that we do not know about, you never know. However, I remember when Volvo S80's just started showing up on lots without the automatic rear headrest, auto-dimming mirror, and a few other options. Dealers were not notified by Volvo about these changes until these cars were on the lot!

I for one wish Ford was doing something like this and that we were made aware of it, because I want the red-leather seats in the color appearance package and the airbags, but I do not want the aluminum dash trim the comes with the IUP. I would rather just have the ISAP. Do not get me wrong as I like the aluminum dash trim, and I like the red seats, just not together. I think the red seats and aluminum trim look too busy when together.

 

Correction: Side Airbags can only be gotten with the 18G (IUP), but are not required.

 

Well if Ford isn't going to let people have the IUP then they won't be able to sell the side air bags or the red leather upgrade. It's hard for me to believe that Ford would miss this kind of opportunity for additional revenue because they can't get enough colored dash lights and silver trim. :scratch:

 

Well, keep in mind that if this is a "supplier problem" it could boil down to the fact that Ford simply did not plan on building this many cars with IUP and needs to force some non-IUP cars back into the mix. A lot of people think this stuff is easy for Ford to change on the fly, but having worked in an auto plant I can tell you it is anything but easy.

For those folks who have complained that this is poor planning by Ford to not be able to compensate for excess IUP demand, this is just how mass production works. Every auto-maker runs into these same issues, and there is simply no way to get around it and still sell people a 300hp car for 25k.

Also, if Ford thinks this excess demand is simply a temporary thing, and that in the future demand for IUP will lessen, then it would not pay for them to change anything even if they could.

 

Great point.

Why would Ford spend a considerable amount of money to crash certify side-airbags on the '05 when they can spend about the same amount to have the line that makes the IUP upgraded to alleviate the IUP shortage. The demand for IUP will be high for the duration of this model run, so this is a long-term problem.

 

Great point.

Why would Ford spend a considerable amount of money to crash certify side-airbags on the '05 when they can spend about the same amount to have the line that makes the IUP upgraded to alleviate the IUP shortage. The demand for IUP will be high for the duration of this model run, so this is a long-term problem. [/b][/quote]
Does anyone know who the supplier is for all the IUP components, we have talked about MyColor, but what about the aluminum dash or the kick plates on the doors...I also don't see how the IUP will affect side crash test results, everything about the IUP is cosmetic, unless there is a shortage of the airbags as well.

 

I think that is what they are doing right now. The company who makes IUP components is problably upgrading to handle more volume, and thier output is most likely decreased during this time.

 

Brad posted an answer from Ford about this in another thread. It is a supply issue for the IUP and the side air bags are only certified with IUP. The IUP has different door panels than non-IUP cars so Ford would have to re-certify the air bags to change it. It's in Futurestangs' mega rant about the IUP and no I don't know how to link it, sorry.

 

I believe this is the thread/page6 that "Treadhead" was referring to:
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?sh...ic=12540&st=100