Ford Touts Value In New F650/750
TOM BERG
EQUIPMENT EDITOR
A choice of three cabs, three diesels and a long list of options for the International-built chassis all equal value for customers of Ford's new F650 and F750 SuperDuty trucks and tractors, executives proclaimed at recent demonstration at Ford's Romeo, Mich., proving ground.
The new medium/heavy duty vehicles are the first products of the Blue Diamond joint venture between Ford Commercial Truck and International Truck and Engine, and are now in production on a special line at International's plant at Escobedo, in northeastern Mexico.
These are "authentic American work trucks that will handle tough jobs," marketers and engineers said. Ford will price F650s and F750s lower than most competitors, partly because of economies of scale represented by the joint venture and use of the cabs from the high-volume SuperDuty pickup series.
F650 trucks are rated at 18,000 to 29,000 pounds gross, while tractors are rated to 70,000 pounds gross combination weight. F750 trucks cover GVWRs of 30,000 to 33,000 pounds, and tractors have GCWRs of up to 80,000 pounds. The HN80 (now Sterling) sales contract with Freightliner prevents Ford from building tandem-axle Class 8 vehicles for another five years, but lift axles can be added by modification centers and dealers.
An F650/750 has a two-door Regular cab, four-door SuperCab or four-door CrewCab on an International 4000 series frame. The steel cabs cost less but offer as much to customers as aluminum cabs used by competitors, engineers said. Ford is using conventional wiring instead of multiplexed circuits to enhance reliability.
The cab sits low on the frame for easy entry and exit, and bench and individual seats — including air-ride models — support driver and passengers. A low roof enhances the low-profile look.
A wide variety of axles, wheelbases and frame designs — including frame inserts — enable trucks and tractors to handle any Class 6 or 7 hauling job, engineers said. A total of 38 factory-built wheelbases, from 134 to 281 inches, are available among the three cab styles, compared to only 11 wheelbases with the former models.
Trucks are standard with the new International-built 6-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel with 200, 215 or 230 horsepower. Optional are the 5.9-liter Cummins ISB with 185 to 260 hp, and the 7.2- liter Caterpillar 3126E with 190 to 300 hp. Eventually, International's inline six-cylinder diesels may join the lineup. Manual transmissions with 5, 6, 7 or 10 speeds and 5- or 6-speed Allison automatics are offered.
The Blue Diamond F650s and F750s are titled as 2004 models to distinguish them from the '03 models built on Ford chassis. These are being phased out as production in Escobedo ramps up.
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