Vehicle Overview
The Super Duty is one of the more playful trucks on the market, with three interesting theme packages: King Ranch, Harley-Davidson and the new Cabela’s edition. The Super Duty is available in regular cab, SuperCab and crew cab in either 4×2 or 4×4 drivetrain. The regular cab comes only with a 8-foot cargo bed, while the other two cabs can be ordered with either an 8-foot or 6.75-foot bed.
The F-350 SuperCab long bed and crew cab long bed can be ordered with dual rear wheels. The F-450 comes only in crew cab long bed with DRW. Ford continues with its familiar trim level offerings: XL, XLT, FX4 and Lariat.
The Super Duty series boasts the highest payload and tow ratings for non-commercial trucks. A properly equipped F-250 can carry 3,200 pounds and tow more than 16,000 pounds. The F-350 goes up to 5,700 and 18,400 pounds, respectively. The F-450 can carry three tons of payload and has a maximum tow rating of 24,500 pounds (with a fifth wheel).
New for 2009
The Super Duty was redesigned for the 2008 model year. For 2009, Super Duty trucks get the new F-150’s electronic features, including Ford Work Solutions, a collection of technologies that help businesses keep track of tools and projects; hands-free, voice-activated Sync; and voice-activated navigation with Sirius Travel Link.
The Cabela’s special edition pickup is based on the offroad-inspired FX4 trim. Ford says more than 75 percent of F-Series owners hunt or fish, so Cabela’s package is designed to appeal to those likely to shop at the famed outfitter. There are interior materials unique to the package and additional lockable storage for firearms.
The Harley-Davidson edition returns on the F-450 model. This Harley is easy to spot, with large blue flames coming from the side vents. The familiar cues of black leather interior and metal badges maintain the theme.
Finally, Ford is offering a spray-on factory bedliner; the automated sprayer applies the film in a thinner but uniform manner to reduce weight while minimizing load slippage.
Exterior
The Super Duty’s bulk is well-proportioned, even on short-bed models. Ford offers a wide range of colors, paint schemes and 19 different wheels to help distinguish the different trim lines and special packages. For commercial customers, there’s a pickup-box-delete option, so custom service bodies can be adapted to the chassis.
- PowerScope tow mirrors standard on some models; manual telescoping trailer mirror standard on others
- Available moonroof on crew cab
- Front and rear step bumpers help access engine bay, cargo box
- Available tubular side steps or running board
- Offroad package includes skid plates
- Power-sliding rear window standard on Lariat, available on other models
- Available tailgate step
Interior
The Super Duty has a luxury option for almost every application. Like the offroad look of the FX4 but want heated leather seats, Sync and a six-CD changer? Order the FX4 Luxury Package.
Other packages include the Lariat Plus, Lariat Ultimate and the Cabela’s Luxury Package. Certain packages require specific trim levels. The Harley-Davidson F-450 and King Ranch have front and rear captain’s chairs with leather-trimmed center consoles. On diesel models, there is an available Rapid-Heat supplemental heater to warm up the cab quickly on cold mornings.
- Available premium sound system with eight speakers and a subwoofer
- Available navigation, Sirius Satellite Radio
- All sound systems have auxiliary input jack for MP3 players
- Available power-adjustable pedals
- Integrated trailer brake controller
- FlexFold rear seat on XLT, FX4 and Lariat provides steel load floor
Under the Hood
- 300-horsepower, 5.4-liter V-8 with iron block and aluminum cylinder heads, single overhead camshafts and three valves per cylinder, rated at 365 pounds-feet of peak torque
- 362-hp, 6.8-liter V-10, with iron block and aluminum cylinder heads, single overhead camshaft and three-valves per cylinder, rated at 457 pounds-feet of peak torque
- 350-hp, 6.4-liter V-8 turbo-diesel, iron block and cylinder heads, cam-in-block and four-valves per cylinder, rated at 650 pounds-feet of peak torque (325-hp and 600 pounds-feet of torque for F-450 models)
- Six-speed manual transmission (standard on all three engines)
- Five-speed automatic transmission (available on all three engines)
Safety
The Super Duty comes with antilock brakes, massive four-wheel disc brakes and front airbags. Traction control is available.
- Top-tether anchors for child-safety seats
- Available rearview camera system
- SOS post-crash alert system
Of Interest to Truck Owners
Maximum GVW
- Ford F-250 (regular cab single rear wheel, SuperCab SRW, crew cab SRW) 6.4-liter diesel V-8, auto: 23,000 pounds
- Ford F-350 (regular cab dual rear wheel, SuperCab DRW, crew cab DRW) 6.4-liter diesel V-8, auto: 23,500 pounds
- Ford F-450 (crew cab DRW) 6.4-liter diesel V-8, auto: 27,000 pounds
Maximum payload capacity
- Ford F-250 (crew cab single rear wheel): 2,830 pounds
- Ford F-350 (crew cab dual rear wheel): 5,350 pounds
- Ford F-450 (crew cab dual rear wheel): 6,190 pounds
Maximum towing capacity
- Ford F-250 (regular cab SRW) 6.4-liter diesel V-8, auto: 16,300 pounds
- Ford F-350 (regular cab DRW) 6.4-liter diesel V-8, auto: 18,800 pounds
- Ford F-450 (crew cab DRW) 6.4-liter diesel V-8, auto: 24,600 pounds
- Fuel tank capacity: 38 gallons
- Axle ratio: 3.73:1, 4.10:1, 4.30:1 (F-350), 4.30:1, 4.88:1, 5.38:1 (F-450/F-550)
- Crawl ratio: 65.73:1 (six-speed manual with 4.30:1 axle)
- Minimum ground clearance: 7.0-7.1 inches (4×2), 7.4-7.8 inches (4×4)
- Approach angle: 20.9-22.4 degrees (4×2), 22.8-23.6 degrees (4×4)
- Departure angle: 16.2-17.0 degrees (4×2), 17.3-20.3 degrees (4×4)
- Ramp breakover: 10.9-15.2 degrees (4×2), 15.5-20.2 degrees (4×4)
- Cargo-bed load height: 33.9-35.1 inches (4×2), 34.4-37.3 inches (4×4)
- Cargo floor length: 81.8 inches (standard bed), 98 inches (long bed)
- Cargo floor width: 69.3 inches
- Cargo floor width at wheel well: 50.9 inches
- Cargo bed depth: 20.1 inches
Note: GVW and payload depend on wheelbase, special equipment packages, engine and transmission choice.
Note: Tow capacity depends on axle ratio, engine/transmission choice and whether a conventional or fifth-wheel hitch is used.
