m i d r a n g e

Ford Introduces New Super Duty Range

Ford has introduced a new range of Super Duty F-series light and medium trucks.
The lineup will include F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 models with gvws from 8,800 pounds to 19,000 pounds. The trucks also have a towing capacity of 26,000 pounds, allowing the maximum vehicle weight and payload for non-CDL drivers.
Early in 1999, Ford plans to roll out a range of medium trucks built off the Super Duty, designated the F650 and F750. They will use the same sheet metal and take the range up to a maximum 33,000 pounds.
The Super Duty models do not share any major components with the lighter F150/250. The only common parts are the tailgate, rear lights and the rear bumper.
The cab structure has been designed to offer more space and visibility has been improved with larger side windows and windshield. The frames are stronger, too, but most significantly, they are straight all the way back from the cab. This allows simpler body mounting to the chassis cabs, with no awkward spacers on the frame. The fuel filler pipe now extends through the frame, with beveled cutouts to protect the filler tube.
Three cab configurations are included in the program: The shortest is the Regular Cab. The SuperCab is three inches longer than the previous F-Series’, with standard double-opening access doors. The biggest cab is the Crew Cab, with four full sized doors.
Suspension is changed too, with the lighter 2x4 models having a revised Twin I-beam featuring coil springs and longer radius arms. The heavier 450 and 550 and all 4x4s feature a straight axle on “monobeam” semi-elliptic springs.
Steering is new, with a detent to improve straight line stability and feel. All around disc brakes are also used for maximum braking capacity on over-10,000-pound chassis and are option on others.

NEW POWER
Supporting and complementing the bigger sizes and heavier weights is a revised engine line-up. Smallest is a 5.4 liter Triton V8 rated 235 hp at 4,250 rpm with peak torque of 325 lbs.-ft. at 3,000 rpm. The bigger gasoline engine is the 6.8-liter Triton, a single overhead cam V10 that was first used in the Econoline Van last year. It is rated 275 hp and 410 lbs.-ft. at 4,250 and 2,750 rpm respectively.
The 7.3-liter Powerstroke (Navistar International) V8 diesel is retained, though it gets a boost in performance to 230 hp and 500 lbs.-ft. of torque. Its hydraulically actuated electronic fuel system has also been revised to reduce engine noise, improve performance and fuel economy, and lower emissions.
All engines are available in F-250 and F-350, with the larger gasoline and the diesel in the F-450 and F-550.
Transmission options include five- and six-speed manuals and a completely overhauled four-speed automatic, now with PTO options on all. The six-speed is included for the diesel trucks, with extra reduction in the lowest ratio to get the heaviest rolling in adverse conditions. The five-speed is available with gasoline engines in all but the F-550.
The new 4R100 automatic addresses a weak point of the previous F-Series, where high GCW operations were hard on the transmissions. Now, with virtually all-new internals, the transmission is rated for 500 lbs.-ft. engine torque, and it is the standard transmission in the heaviest F-550 with gasoline engine. Significantly for vocational applications, the 4R100 now comes with a PTO opening allowing for continuous 120 lbs.-ft. torque power on both gasoline and diesel, 4x2 and 4x4 models.