2005 Ford Super Duty

When you’re the leader, you get used to instant recognition, and Ford is no exception. Based on the sheer volume of F-Series trucks traveling the roadways of America, the Blue Oval has enjoyed 27 years of legacy as the truck sales leader, and expects to sell more than 900,000 F-Series pickups this year. Some 360,000 of those are expected to be Super Duty models.That’s a lot of valuable face time for a truck that has not only been redesigned, but also improved in the areas that truck lovers appreciate most – towing and hauling. The 2005 edition Super Duty has best-in-class towing capacity, industry-first optional factory-installed towing brakes, better on-road handling and prices that match 2004 models, in many cases. The most notable feature for the newest pickup is the larger grille. Adapted from the "Mighty F-350 TONKA" concept truck, the grille features solid horizontal bars that suggest, according to Ford, a milling process from a "block of steel." Emphasis on grille design is not new in the large truck segment, as Dodge's enormous crosshair snout and Chevy's trademark horizontally-split front end have become widely-known representations of each respective vehicle. Viewers will note that these trucks stand tall, and when facing one head on the grille becomes the point of human-to-vehicle interaction. Similarly, the front center is the most prominent portion when crossing the path of a full-size truck on the road.

Page 2: Ergonomic

Ford says the redesign projects confidence and refinement at the same time. For example, the grille is bold and imposing but also includes artistic details, such as the honeycomb mesh behind the chrome. Additionally, new jeweled headlamps and clear turn signal lenses flank the grille and lend to a more honed, refined look. The front bumper has also been reworked, with chrome on the bottom and paint on the top. Large 17-in. wheels and tires are now standard, with 18s available on many models. Huge 20 inchers arrive the 2005 Harley Davidson Super Duty - a first in the full-size segment.We drove the new models on highways and back roads and at the Ford Proving Grounds, located in 100-plus summer temperatures of Kingman, Arizona. Over the course of the day, we drove different models in the series in exercises designed to evaluate ride quality, towing capacity, braking capability and power and torque. We were most impressed by the quietness and ergonomic fit of the cabin (good grab handle to ease entry and exit for shorter drivers, good placement of gauges and controls, excellent forward and rearward visibility); the power and torque of the engines and shift points in the transmissions (plenty of grunt to carry tow loads, as well as to achieve first place in a quarter-mile drag strip with comparably-set-up competitive models, as well as smooth shifting); great, well-modulated braking (no porposing and jounce feedback, even under heavy load) and improved steering, particularly with the larger commercial versions, which show better lock-to-lock precision. The interior has also been reworked to increase user friendliness. The message center now sits in between the speedometer and tachometer in the instrument cluster. Drivers also have more control on the steering wheel, as they can adjust the audio system and climate control. On XLT and Lariat trim models, a power sliding rear window is available. For commercial users, Ford offers a unique option - four auxiliary switches come mounted to the lower dash. These switches are available to control aftermarket additions such as towing equipment and light bars. Ford's logic here is great - rather than forcing commercial drivers to fit the vehicles with non-factory switches in less than convenient places, Ford has pre-determined an ergonomically-grounded spot to control auxiliary equipment.

Page 3: Engines

Displacement in all three available engines has not changed since last year, but Ford has managed to up power on all three mills. The base engine is a 5.4-liter Trition V8 yielding 300 horsepower and 365 lb.-ft. of torque, thanks to variable valve timing and new heads with three valves per cylinder. That's an improvement of 40 horses and 15 lb.-ft. over last year's Triton V8. Similarly, the 6.8-liter Triton V10 has been fitted with 3-valve cylinder heads. The result is an impressive 355 hp. and 455 lb.-ft. of torque, an improvement of 45 hp. and 30 lb.-ft. For gas engines, these are class-leading figures. Finally, the same 6-liter PowerStroke turbo diesel V8 engine has been tuned for 10 more lb.-ft. of torque to a hefty 570 lb.-ft. of twist. While this is lower than the GM and Dodge versions, Ford claims that available torque (where it is available, particularly at the low end of the range and over a broad band) bests the competition for hauling prowess during Ford's testing and evaluation. Horsepower in the diesel is rated at 325. All engines are now available with the 5-speed TorqShift automatic transmission, which had originally been reserved for the PowerStroke diesel, only. Pulling capability is accentuated by Tow-Haul mode, which avoids unnecessary shifting and keeps the engine in its optimal power band. For the three-pedal crowd, a 6-speed manual transmission is available across the lineup.

Page 4: Tow

Of note is the increase in maximum tow rating on Super Dutys to 17,000 pounds, which puts Ford in a leadership seat. Ford says that more than seventy percent of Super Duty owners use their trucks for towing, Ford boasts best-in-class capacity for conventional and fifth-wheel towing. Also new are optional, factory-installed in-cabin trailer brake controllers to coordinate truck and trailer brakes.Another improvement to the Super Duty is the monobeam coil spring front suspension that appears in place of the leaf springs that used to underpin 4WD F 250s and 350s. New steering geometry improves steering feel and reduces the turning circle by 5.5 feet. The rear suspension has also been revised, with staggered shock placement meant to improve ride quality. More boxing, thicker frame steel, and a heavier rear crossmember contribute to huge payload and towing capabilities - Super Dutys will carry up to 5,800 lbs. as well as pull up to 17,000 lbs. Halting all this mass can be a chore, so Ford fitted its Super Duty with larger brake rotors - 13.7 in. up front and 13.4 in. out back - and calipers that use larger pistons. The calipers have also been stiffened to help shed power. Super Duty's power to stop, it seems, extends beyond its four-wheel disc brakes. The aggressive new Super Duty design is meant to captivate the viewer and user, convincing him or her instantly that a Ford is present. Long before the 9-in. blue oval is visible, a "Built Ford Tough" chime should resonate in the brain's vehicle identification region.

Page 5: FAQs

What is the Super Duty series? The F-Series Super Duty trucks range from the F-250 to the F-550, at prices that will reportedly range from $22,500 to $42,000. Special edition versions include the newly revised Harley-Davidson F-250, that comes with painted-on flames and 20-inch alloy wheels; an upgraded King Ranch model ( named after the famed King Ranch, in Texas) with an top-of-the-line leather and luxury cabin; and an all- new limited-edition Amarillo trim package, available only in the fall.When does it go on sale and how many does Ford hope to sell? The new model, which is built in Kentucky, goes on sale this fall. Ford hopes to sell more than 900,000 F-Series pickups, some 360,000 as Super Duty versions. What is the best new feature? Those in the know and those who tow, i.e. typical heavy duty truck owners, would say the biggest improvements to the Super Duty line are the increased towing capacity, the optional factory-installed installed four auxiliary switches come mounted to the lower dash designed to control aftermarket additions such as towing equipment and lightbars; and the optional factory-installed towing brakes. Standard is improved handling.

Page 6: FAQs

How does it handle? We drove the new models on highways and back roads and at the Ford Proving Grounds, located in 100-plus summer temperatures of Kingman, Arizona. Over the course of the day, we drove different models in the series in exercises designed to evaluate ride quality, towing capacity, braking capability and power and torque. We were most impressed by the quietness and ergonomic fit of the cabin (good grab handle to ease entry and exit for shorter drivers, good placement of gauges and controls, excellent forward and rearward visibility); the power and torque of the engines and shift points in the transmissions (plenty of grunt to carry tow loads, as well as to achieve first place in a quarter-mile drag strip with comparably-set-up competitive models, as well as smooth shifting); great, well-modulated braking (no porposing and jounce feedback, even under heavy load) and improved steering, particularly with the larger commercial versions, which show better lock-to-lock precision.What are the available engines and transmissions? The base engine is a 5.4-liter Trition V8 (300 horsepower and 365 lb.-ft. of torque); a 6.8-liter Triton V10 (355 hp. and 455 lb.-ft. of torque); and a 6-liter PowerStroke turbo diesel V8 (325 hp. and 570 lb.-ft. of torque). All engines are now available with the 5-speed TorqShift automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission is also available across the lineup.

Page 7: Notes

Base price: $23,000-40,000 (estimated) Engine: 5.4-liter V8 (300 hp @4,750 rpm, 365 lb.-ft. @3,750 rpm); 6.8-liter V10 (355 hp @4,750 rpm, 455 lb.-ft. @3,250 rpm); 6-liter turbo diesel V8 (325 hp @3,300 rpm, 570 lb.-ft. @2,000 rpm) Transmission: 6-speed manual; 5-speed automatic Wheelbase: 137-172.4 in. Length: 226.4-261.8 in. Width: 79.9 in. (95.5 in. for dual rear wheels) Inside Box Height: 20 in. Cargo box length: 82.4 in.; 98.6 in. Head/hip/legroom: front: 41.1-41.4/67.4/41 in.; rear: 38.2-40.8/67.3/32.2-41.7 in. Base curb weight, lbs.: 5,648-7,014 Fuel capacity (gal): 29, 38 gallon tanks available Fuel economy: N/A Safety equipment: Dual front airbags with passenger deactivation; height-adjustable front safety belts; ABS; four-wheel disc brakes