Vehicle Overview
The F-Series Super Duty is Ford’s line of heavy-duty pickup trucks, which are available in a variety of configurations and three model series: F-250, F-350 and F-450. The truck can carry as many as six people when properly configured, and competitors include 2500 and 3500 models in the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and Ram truck lines.
Two engines are available: a 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V-8 and a 6.2-liter gas V-8. Both engines team with a heavy-duty six-speed automatic transmission.
New for 2012
A strengthened frame and trailer hitch provides 17,500 pounds of conventional towing capacity when properly equipped. Ford also offers a CNG/LPG prep package for gas-engine trucks, and a gooseneck hitch is available for the 6.75-foot cargo box.
Exterior
A 2011 restyling brought a “power dome” hood and a bolder grille stamped with a Super Duty logo and an oversized Ford oval badge. Buyers have the choice of an extended cab (Super Cab) with a 6.75- or 8-foot box and a crew cab with four conventional doors and a 6.75- or 8-foot box. Dual-rear-wheel models are available with the 8-foot box. Exterior features include:
- Standard trailer hitch receiver
- Standard 17-inch wheels; 18- and 20-inch rims available
- Optional PowerScope towing mirrors
- Optional power moonroof
- Optional tubular side steps or running boards
- Optional spray-in bedliner
Interior
The Super Duty borrows seats from the F-150, and offers a three-place front bench seat or front bucket seats. The bench seat is split 40/20/40, and a lockable under-seat center storage compartment is optional. A wide center console is available on models with front buckets and includes a bin large enough to hold a laptop computer. On the Lariat, heated and cooled front seats with a memory feature for the power driver’s seat are optional. Crew cab models have a three-place rear bench seat that flips up to reveal a flat cargo floor. An available 4.2-inch LCD screen in the instrument cluster shows fuel economy information and monitors off-road and towing details. Interior features include:
- Standard air conditioning
- Standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel
- Optional navigation system with SiriusXM Travel Link
- Optional power-adjustable pedals
- Optional Sync system
Under the Hood
The standard 6.2-liter gas V-8 is a single-overhead-camshaft engine that runs on regular gas or E85 ethanol. It produces 385 horsepower and 405 pounds-feet of torque.
The available Power Stroke 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V-8 produces 400 hp and a massive 800 pounds-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm, making it the logical choice for serious towing and hauling. The Power Stroke V-8 burns regular diesel fuel or a blend of up to 20 percent biodiesel.
Both engines work with a standard six-speed automatic transmission that incorporates Ford’s SelectShift technology, which enables driver-initiated shifts. Mechanical features include:
- Rear- or four-wheel drive
- Standard electronic locking rear differential
Safety
Safety features on the Super Duty include:
- Standard stability system with Roll Stability Control
- Standard side curtain airbags
- Standard front-seat side-impact airbags
- Standard all-disc antilock brakes
- Optional rear parking sensors
- Optional backup camera
