Layout review - "FORD PASSENGER CARS -> Falcons" section

[BTTB]

The forum has been around for a while now...

IMHO... If you break it down, there are a few minor flaws with the way its structured atm...
(i.e. the same way it was 3-4 years ago)

Take for instance the sub forum
Ford Passenger Cars
"If they sold it as a passenger vehicle in Australia.. look here !"

First sub section is
Falcons

Within that we have:
Classic Falcons; XK -> XC (11 different models)

Post Classic; XD -> EL (8 different models)

Contemporary Aus Fords; AU -> FG (4 different models)


Now correct me if I'm wrong but the term "CLASSIC car" when referring to car age
means anything that is 25-50 years of age
(50+ being "vintage car")

this kinda negates the current "Classic Falcons" section covering XK- XC doesn't it ?
My 1984 XE falcon will be considered a "Classic Car" by my insurance company come September....



Moving onto the "Post Classic" section covering XD - EL
I'm sure most would agree that this subforum is dominated by E-series posts...
Do the XD-XF owners really need to be segregated from the other X-series guys ????

Instead of referring to the Falcons in terms of Classic/post classic etc...
which really changes every year the cars get older
(in 25 years a BA falcon will be a "Classic car")

Would it be appropriate to break up this section up in a different way ?

I'm yet to come up with a "fantastic suggestion" so far myself...

just thought I'd put it out there for now, to see if others felt the same ?

[Laminge]

Would like to see some suggestions as to the layout

[Escort_RPDriver]

why not lay it out with body shapes eg XK-XL, XM-XP, XR-XY, XA-XC, XD-XF, E-series AU, BA-BF2 and FG or have it X-series E-series AU, B-series and FG

[BTTB]

I think something along those lines would be appropriate...

this area we are discussing seems to get a wide variety of questions,
ranging from basic questions about standard sepcifications of the older cars
e.g What do these (eng or chassis) numbers mean ?
right through to "How To" questions which need a great deal of explaination
e.g. How do I transplant a V8 into my 6cyl Falcon?

Within these new subsections I feel we need to implement some "Tech Guides" or " D.I.Y Guides"

I live most of my forum life in AFF but venture into other forums to see whats happpening too

there are at least 5 other forums that cover falcons... and this one is lacking in some respects to the amount of information that is readily available

I really enjoy the engineering aspects and reasearching this stuff and would happily step up to the plate
if given the chance to implement something of this nature

we have the opportunity to make life so much easier for fellow car enthusiasts...

step by step guides with illustrations / pictures can save people so much time
and in turn you'll get far more people coming here looking for that information

everybody wins ;)

[Laminge]

Originally Posted by Escort_RPDriver

why not lay it out with body shapes eg XK-XL, XM-XP, XR-XY, XA-XC, XD-XF, E-series AU, BA-BF2 and FG or have it X-series E-series AU, B-series and FG

Too many forums

[Auslandau]

Just set it by years ...

Classic............ Before '88 (XM-XF)
Modern .......... Between '88-'02 (EA-AU)
Contemp ........ '02 -till today (BA-FG)

Worded however but stick with the 3 divisions which is enough and makes the merge a bit easier ..... makes it general and for more specific models then the specialty clubs can take over .......

I think thats easier and keeps things upr to date?



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[Tha Jack]

I was thinking along those lines Dave.Would make it easier to find things relevant to your car year/model.

[BTTB]

sounds good to me

[BTTB]

but drop the classic, modern, contemporary tags

Maybe

'60 - '72 (XK-XY) 8 models
'72 - '88 (XA-XF) 6 models
'88 - '98 (EA- EL) 5 models
'98 - Present (AU - FG) 4 and counting

can somebody explain why everyone feels AU belongs with EA-EL ?
it has the same wheel offset and its the same basic bodyshell as the BA BF right ?

[dishpig]

But basically had the same engine among other stuff as the el. It'd be about 50-50

[BTTB]

Originally Posted by dishpig

But basically had the same engine among other stuff as the el. It'd be about 50-50

yes... but thats what the Engine specific sub-forums are for ???? yes

[Paull]

My only input here is that with the older version (where X series was more obvious), users would either post in either the Classic Falcon section (if falcon/Fairmont related) or in the X series if Fairlane/LTD related.

Since the introduction of the latest version, all you have now is the obvious 'Falcon' section (for all 3 ranges) but nothing for the LWB cars. Granted, you have the X series "Club Forum" but I think most users would see this as being more community or club based, not technically based.

In effect, what I am saying is that I have seen a rather dramatic drop off in posting about the LWB passengers cars over the last year or so. I am only assuming that the format change has brought this about and may well be wrong about this.

In other words, it would be nice to see an obviousl post point for the LWB cars. And I agree with Dave, keep it to three sections as Dave has stated.

[BTTB]

Is it worth contemplating the the current Passenger car section should be kept to Questions about....
History, Factory Secifications, Marketing and the like (I'm sure thers plenty more)

if a questions arises about technical aspects i.e. Mechanics, Modification, conversions etc...
then is can be steered into the appropriate Forum Community car club,
where new members can meet long time members and benefit from their knowledge ????

This would help with growing the Face-to-Face gatherings...

[Tribal]

Originally Posted by GTWORKS

but drop the classic, modern, contemporary tags

Maybe

'60 - '72 (XK-XY) 8 models
'72 - '88 (XA-XF) 6 models
'88 - '98 (EA- EL) 5 models
'98 - Present (AU - FG) 4 and counting

Yeah I like this layout as well.

Moderators?

What you were saying with regards to the Passenger Car Section would definitely help revive the X-series section by directing more traffic in there.

[BTTB]

I've thought about it alot over the last few months... it just seems to be the most logical way to handle it...

don't seem to be getting much input from the heirarchy though... busy having an extra loooong weekend maybe LOL

[Tribal]

I'm sure their watching - they're always watching... :

[BTTB]

Originally Posted by Tribal

I'm sure their watching - they're always watching... :

[Laminge]

Originally Posted by GTWORKS

I've thought about it alot over the last few months... it just seems to be the most logical way to handle it...

don't seem to be getting much input from the heirarchy though... busy having an extra loooong weekend maybe LOL

When you reach my age, nanna naps are a working day!

If someone wants to summarise and send me a hierarchy representation shoot me a pm and I will give you my details

[Silver Ghia]

Falcon section should be broken down like GT Works suggested in post #9, however I would keep the AU, BA and FG as separate groups as these are more current, there are more posts for these cars, and the issues are more specific for each of these models.

From a BA viewpoint, currently I need to look in the Contemporary, BA club discussion and BA Technical sections for articles on the BA. And if it is a Turbo or V8, these are additional sections that need to be looked at.

Now, if the BA club was restricted to club issues and photos of rides etc, only.

And for articles on BA's that are applicable for all BA models, those threads should go into the BA general section, which includes technical issues. Then have subsections off it that cover subjects specific to Turbos, V8's, I6, gas etc.

And a similar general section for AU's for issues that are applicable for all AU models, then subsections for T series, XR8, I6 etc

Similarly FG should have a general section, then subsections covering Turbo, V8 etc.

[BTTB]

Originally Posted by Laminge

If someone wants to summarise and send me a hierarchy representation shoot me a pm and I will give you my details

OK, might take a week or so, flat out this week