Ford Super Duty -Overview

The best heavy-duty pickup truck produced by Ford Motor Company, it is the Super-Duty that Ford has been producing since 1999. It is an expansion of the Ford F series range that has been extended from the F250 to the F550. The Super Duty trucks are designed as the variant of the Ford F series, accommodating pickup trucks and chassis cab vehicles.

The Ford super-duty trucks are currently in their 4th generation. Their characteristic features include a separate chassis from the F150 that includes chassis components and a heavy-duty frame that allows for heavier payloads and hauling capabilities. Super Duty Trucks are class two and three trucks. The chassis cabovers are class four and five with a GVWR over 3900 KG.

The pickup trucks and chassis cabs are not the only options the Ford super duty provides. It also includes medium-duty F-series trucks like F-650 and F750. Ford excursion is Ford’s full-size SUV with the Super Duty pickup truck as its base. The F250 and F550 are assembled at the Kentucky plant, and the F-650 and F750 are produced at the Ohio assembly.

Background of the Ford Super Duty:

Ford debuted the Super-Duty engine family, a large block V8 engine, in 1958. They were the largest mass-produced gasoline V8 engines in the world.

Ford rebranded its F series as the super duty to showcase the engine launch. The F series trucks, the Ford H-series cabovers, Ford C-series, and the end series conventional trucks adopted the Super duty nameplate. Its initial attempt at engine production was not very efficient because of the poor fuel efficiency; However, the Super Duty V8 engine production didn’t cease until 1981.

The first generation of the Ford Super Duty:

The initial Ford super duty model was available in three trims: the Base X, the Lariat, and the mid-range XLT. The mid-range trim was the most popular as it came with a lot of features at a reasonable price. The exterior was the same old-fashioned with slight differences, but the interior was more technologically focused. Models were available in different shapes and configurations, including 2+2-door super cab, 4-door Crew Cab, and two-door standard cab shape.

The brand then added an F-450 and F-550 chassis cab truck in the mix. These trucks came with two powertrain options. There was a 5.4 L Triton V8 petrol engine and a 7.3 L turbocharged diesel V8 engine that produced 255 and 235 horsepower, respectively. The larger engine had many updates, like a turbocharger and an air-to-air cooling system. All these trims were outstanding in their performance in off-roading and hauling tasks. The fuel consumption in diesel-powered trims was a tradeoff, as people loved the super-duty because of its reliability. A Ford Super-Duty parts catalog represents the variation in the features and engineering of different trim levels of the same model.

The extended cab models featured rear-hinged doors to accommodate more passengers.

The second generation:

The second-generation Super-Duty came out a little later because of some quality issues. However, it couldn’t lose the people’s trust in these truck models. Finally, the second-generation models have a 6.4-liter PowerStroke diesel V8 engine. This 6.4L could produce up to 350 horsepower and the 6.8-liter V10 engine had the capability to produce 362 horsepower.

Rapid heat supplemental cab heating system, swing-up hand grab bar, and concealed slide-out step, are all introduced in these models. It allowed easy access to the rear tailgate. The standard equipment in these models was the new audio system, Ford’s SYNC entertainment system, and a GPS system. The other features included an anti-theft ignition system, a black leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a keyless entry. The exterior is fitted with all-terrain tires with 17-inch forged aluminum wheels.

The third generation:

The third generation received a total makeover with a new and larger grille and more powerful engines. A 6.8-liter Triton V10 engine, a 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbo diesel V8 engine, and a 6.2-liter boss SOHC V8 engine game paired with the 6-speed automatic transmission. Newer trims like the Platinum and King Ranch debuted.

The 4th Generation:

The 4th generation came with improved features like a resilient steel frame and aluminum alloy body. The aluminum body reduced its curb weight by 700 pounds.

Super duty redesigned for the 2020 model year, with a 7.3-liter engine that produced 430 horsepower.

Ford Super Duty is still going strong, making it one of the selling truck lineups worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why ‘Super Duty’?

This is Ford’s name for its heavy-duty line of trucks. They are workhorses. They have a tough frame and are beasts at towing, hauling, plowing, etc

What is the most popular truck in the United States?

It is Ford for the win. The Ford F-series is the most popular truck in the US. After the F-Series trucks, next in popularity is the Chevrolet Silverado, followed by the Dodge Ram 1500. In fourth and fifth places respectively are the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan.

What does a Super Duty cost?

The 2023 Super Duty will start in the $42K range, plus a destination. This is for the basic XL trim. Accordingly, higher trim levels or additional features will increase the cost.

What is the difference between a F-250 and a F-350 Super Duty?

The main difference between the Ford F-250 and F-350 is their weight rating and towing capacity. The F-250 is a heavy-duty pickup truck with a towing capacity of around 18,000 lbs, while the F-350 can tow as much as 32,000 lbs.