Ford’s Super Duty is already the most popular heavy-duty pickup on the market, sometimes outselling heavy-duty Dodge and

They don't come any bigger or more capable than Ford's F-Series Superduty, and for 2011 these rugged trucks are better than ever before. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Chevrolet trucks combined.  The new 2011 Super Duty lineup demonstrates that the Ford truck team isn’t resting on its laurels, but still focused on continuous improvement. 

And those improvements are everywhere.  The real news, however, is the all-new powertrains, one of which features the new 6.7-litre Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel engine.  For years, Ford equipped its heavy-duty trucks with diesel engines supplied by Navistar.  That’s all changed.  Designed and built in-house, the new Power Stroke delivers 735 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm and 390 horsepower at 2,800 rpm – 85 pound-feet and 40 horsepower more than the outgoing product. 

For those who don’t

It looks great from all angles. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

want or need a diesel, the new 6.2-litre V8 gasoline engine delivers 405 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm and 385 horsepower at 5,500 rpm; the new engine is E85 (Ethanol) compatible, useful if you travel to the south or can find a station that sells it north of the 49th. 

The new diesel engine features inboard exhaust architecture, where the exhaust manifolds are located in the valley of the engine and the intakes are on the outside.  The cylinder heads are essentially turned around from where they would be in a conventional V8. 
 
The

At home on the range. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

turbocharger is located in the engine’s valley so it can be directly connected to the exhaust manifolds.  A dual-sided compressor wheel runs in a single housing, allowing a single unit to function as a twin-turbocharger system in a smaller, more efficient package.  It combines the fast response of a small turbocharger with the ability of a large turbocharger to move and compress large amounts of air.  This arrangement shortens the connections between manifold and turbo, reducing the system’s overall volume, resulting in faster spool up and reduced lag.  It also places components that need to be in cooler air away from hot exhaust pipes. 

The fuel system injects fuel at more than 29,000 psi to eight-hole piezo injectors that deliver

Taking clean diesel to an entirely new level. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

up to five injection events per cycle to spray fuel into the piston bowl.  The direct-injection system is calibrated and phased for optimum power and fuel efficiency. 

The exhaust gas after-treatment system meets the new, more stringent 2010 emissions requirements for nitrogen oxides, which have been lowered by approximately 80 percent.  The system is the same as that offered by other automakers, using a three-stage process that requires the use of a urea solution that Ford calls Diesel Exhaust Fluid.  This widely-available fluid, commonly known as Ad Blue, is added to an onboard storage tank through a port next to the fuel fill port. 

The valvetrain features dual

Best tow rating in its class. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

hydraulic lifters, improving performance and reliability by using two pushrods per cylinder instead of the conventional single pushrod. 

An all-new six-speed automatic transmission was designed to manage the high torque produced by the new diesel engine.  The improved fuel economy – up 18-percent over last year’s truck for best-in-class results – and greater capability – towing of 11,975 kilos (26,400 pounds) and a 2,957-kilgram (6,520-pound) payload – is due largely to the all-new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission.  The new tranny is responsible for more than half of the overall improved fuel economy.

The new transmission features enhanced Tow Haul with integrated engine exhaust braking and SelectShift

No shortage of 4x4 capability. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Automatic capability, which includes Progressive Range Select and a manual mode.  A convenient rotary selector on a steering column-mounted stalk controls manual shifting. 

A new, stronger torque converter is core to the improved transmission performance.  It was designed to allow the transmission to lock earlier, and at a lower rpm—that translates into less slip and better fuel efficiency.  The new design has more precise control of the lock-up clutch, allowing better control of converter clutch slip for smoother lock-to-lock upshifts. 

The new transmission has a wide ratio span so the transmission now has a lower first gear

Factory installed gooseneck hitch. (Photo: Ford)

for better off-the-line performance, and a taller overdrive ratio for improved highway efficiency.  While the gearing itself is important, the key to overall efficiency is matching that gearing to the correct axle.  With the diesel engine, up to four axle ratios are available on the pickups – 3.31, 3.55, 3.73 and 4.30. 
       
The Power Take Off output gear is linked through the torque converter to the engine crankshaft.  This allows the transmission to power auxiliary equipment such as snowplows, aerial lifts, tow truck lifts, cement mixers or dump trucks.  The power is available any time the engine is running. 

The 2011

"Railing" and footstep from the F-150. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Super Duty offers a factory-installed fifth wheel and gooseneck substructure directly attached to the frame.  The upper fifth wheel structure can be removed from the bed in less than a minute, making the bed available for regular hauling chores and the gooseneck hitch ball can be removed in seconds.  The electrical connection is mounted on the side of the bed wall, for a clean installation. 

Ford’s Trailer Sway Control system, integrated with AdvanceTrac and Roll Stability Control monitors the truck’s motion when a trailer is attached.  Trailer Sway Control can determine from the yaw motion of the truck if the trailer is swaying and

F-150 interior transplant makes the Superduty one of the best. (Photo: Ford)

can apply precise braking or reduce engine torque to help stop the trailer sway. 

Normal braking is proportional to driver brake pressure for smooth brake stops.  If the vehicle’s Anti-lock Brake System is engaged, the trailer brake kicks in to minimize trailer wheel lockup.  In trucks with Trailer Brake Control towing trailers with electric brakes, the Ford system can, during a sway event, also apply brakes to the trailer to help stabilize it. 

There’s much more to the new Super Duty—things like an information window on the instrument panel that you can scroll through to calculate travel time, average speed, distance and fuel economy. 

Load it up for the Alberta-limo experience. (Photo: Ford)

You can even get precise directions about connecting a trailer and it reminds you to plug in the wiring harness, hook up the safety chains and fold up the tongue jack. 

And there’s a better ride, better handling and above all better fuel economy.  If you really need a truck, take a look at this one. 

Available now, 2011 Super Duty prices range from an MSRP of $35,499 to more than $80,000, from the base F-250 right up to the XXXL F-450.  The body configurations and load capacities are as varied as your needs require and then some, allowing for the ideal truck for almost any requirement.

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(471) Camper Package

(67H) Heavy Service Suspension Package

(213) Electric Shift-on-the-Fly 4x4

(76R) Reverse Vehicle Aid Sensor

(85G) Tailgate Step

(66S) Upfitter Switches (4)

(585) AM/FM Stereo/Clock/Single CD

(58Y) Radio Delete

(J004) Black Paint

(J005) Gloss Paint

(67A) Alternators, Dual

(41A) Rapid-Heat Supplemental Cab Heater

(62R) Transmission Power Take-Off Provision

(63T) Engine Idle Shutdown

(473) Snow Plow Package

(17F) XL Decor Group

(17X) FX4 Off Road Package

(87N) Ford Work Solutions - In-Dash Computer by Magneti Marelli

(58P) Radio Prep Package

(87L) Ford Work Solutions - Tool Link by DEWALT

(87T) Ford Work Solutions - Crew Chief (Telematics) by Microlise

(TBM) LT245/75Rx17E BSW All-Terrain Tires

(1) HD Cloth 40/20/40 Split Bench

(61S) Rear Splash Guards/Mud Flaps

(87C) Ford Work Solutions - Cable Lock by Master Lock

(525) Cruise Control

(53W) 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Hitch Prep Package

(91M) SYNCH

(G) Heavy-Duty Cloth Buckets

(M57) Delete Air Conditioning

(41P) Skid Plate Package

(433) Window, Sliding Rear

(15J) Gooseneck Hitch Kit

(15K) 5th Wheel Hitch Kit