What features do you hope the Fathom might have?

[Flash]

I’m waiting to see if Ford decided to dump the AM/FM radio, as some others have done.

Both Tesla and Rivian have eliminated the radio in favour of internet connected radio apps, which are dependent on cellular connections and subject to injected advertising or subscriptions.

I can’t believe Ford would do that to their traditional customers base, many of whom depend on free radio in areas with poor data coverage. But some of the skunkworks guys have lots of Tesla ideas so it’s possible.

I will be extremely disappointed if there is no conventional radio.

I agree with your sentiment completely.

A little peak behind the curtain... It's incredibly difficult to pass EMI/EMC testing for AM radio in vehicles. We do it in my day job. AM radio is very susceptible to interference from all the electrical noises that vehicles these days generate.

There are certainly listeners of AM radio still, but it's no where near what it used to be. So companies like Rivian and Tesla opt to skip the hard testing and changes needed to make AM radio work. Instead just eliminating it and gambling that most buyers will buy anyway.

 

[Flash]

I'll be honest, I've never seen a real reason I would use a frunk. It's neat to have the option, but what is the genuine use case? In a Maverick-sized vehicle, you can reach the entire truck bed. There are a ton of options for keeping the bed secure and dry. The only time I travel in my Maverick, we put our luggage in the cab. Assuming Ford is smart enough to include under-seat storage, that is where I would keep the charging cables and other related items, as I do in my Maverick.

I am genuinely curious when the frunk is a better option.

I felt the same way about the Frunk when I got my Lightning... Then I started using it and found it very helpful. The bed is much larger and higher bed sides on a Lightning than a Maverick. So not apples to apples. But using the Lightning frunk is very convenient. For Family road trips, keeping all our luggage in the frunk makes it easy to get something out midtrip versus opening the tonneau cover and getting a bag out of the bed. The frunk is more waterproof than the bed. I purchased a cheaper tonneau cover because I have the frunk for more high value items. Just some insight for you. YMMV.

 

[gzebrick]

The one issue I see with a front is if you go grocery shopping you probably need to back into the parking spot in order to get your groceries. Loaded.

 

[metroshot]

I agree with your sentiment completely.

A little peak behind the curtain... It's incredibly difficult to pass EMI/EMC testing for AM radio in vehicles. We do it in my day job. AM radio is very susceptible to interference from all the electrical noises that vehicles these days generate.

There are certainly listeners of AM radio still, but it's no where near what it used to be. So companies like Rivian and Tesla opt to skip the hard testing and changes needed to make AM radio work. Instead just eliminating it and gambling that most buyers will buy anyway.

Ford Mach E did not have AM when I first got it but was later added via OTA update.

Works great for me as I use AM radio for news & traffic.

 

[Flash]

Ford Mach E did not have AM when I first got it but was later added via OTA update.

Works great for me as I use AM radio for news & traffic.

So it was sold without it... It didn't have to meet the EMI/EMC testing... Then they turned it on for you after the sale...

 

[gzebrick]

I hope it does have AM, as that means the engineers are forced to provide proper EM shielding! I don’t want my EV blasting RF crud whenever it is on. I have enough issues with cheap LED bulbs and wall warts.

 

[Snakebitten]

For a truck without a tonneau cover, the Frunk is awesome. And even with a tonneau cover, the Frunk is more secure.

I keep all kinds of things in the Frunk that allows my cabin to stay uncluttered and keep things dry:

My portable EVSE.
My IT bag.
A couple of folding chairs.
A Harbor Freight moving blanket
A large SAE/Metric toolkit

Just to name a few items

 

[jsus]

I’m waiting to see if Ford decided to dump the AM/FM radio, as some others have done.

Both Tesla and Rivian have eliminated the radio in favour of internet connected radio apps, which are dependent on cellular connections and subject to injected advertising or subscriptions.

I can’t believe Ford would do that to their traditional customers base, many of whom depend on free radio in areas with poor data coverage. But some of the skunkworks guys have lots of Tesla ideas so it’s possible.

I will be extremely disappointed if there is no conventional radio.

Ford tried dropping AM radio from its EVs. They caved and restored it once enough people complained.

https://apnews.com/article/am-radio-ford-cars-congress-bill-aec6e6405d33ff95cff3dd31bef617db

 

[metroshot]

So it was sold without it... It didn't have to meet the EMI/EMC testing... Then they turned it on for you after the sale...

Yes, correct.

2022 Lightning came with AM radio standard but the antenna was the outside mounted whip antenna on the fender style which negated interference concerns.

2023 Mach E did not come with AM probably due to the antenna on the roof mounted shark fin. I got AM radio turned on OTA in late 2023.

 

[commadorebob]

Maybe something will make the Frunk feel more convenient. I used to think a heated steering wheel in Alabama was pointless until we got an Escape with it. It has been a must-have ever since.

 

[paneubert]

I'll be honest, I've never seen a real reason I would use a frunk. It's neat to have the option, but what is the genuine use case? In a Maverick-sized vehicle, you can reach the entire truck bed. There are a ton of options for keeping the bed secure and dry. The only time I travel in my Maverick, we put our luggage in the cab. Assuming Ford is smart enough to include under-seat storage, that is where I would keep the charging cables and other related items, as I do in my Maverick.

I am genuinely curious when the frunk is a better option.

In my Maverick bed, I currently have a waterproof duffel bag ratchet strapped to the bulkhead under the window. Full of tire change, snow recovery, other roadside emergency supplies. Large bottle jack, breaker bar, kinetic recovery rope/shackles, folding shovel, etc... If all that fit in the frunk, I would be super stoked since it would free up my bed for other things.

 

[gzebrick]

In my Maverick bed, I currently have a waterproof duffel bag ratchet strapped to the bulkhead under the window. Full of tire change, snow recovery, other roadside emergency supplies. Large bottle jack, breaker bar, kinetic recovery rope/shackles, folding shovel, etc... If all that fit in the frunk, I would be super stoked since it would free up my bed for other things.

Hope the frunk is large enough for a spare tire and an extra charge cable & j1772 adapter, assuming there’s no space for spare under the bed.