BigBlueChevy
Compression Ignition Addict
With some spare time today, I headed over to Freehold Ford on Rt-9 in order to finally get myself in the cab of the all new Ford Super duty. And man was I glad I did.
With the exception of the bold new front Grill(perhaps a bit overkill for for me. Especially with a 13" long FORD oval screaming at you), the truck itself still carries the same basic curves and lines of the traditional Super Duty. The name "Super Duty" has been relocated from the hood of the truck to the grill as well, leaving the hood with nothing more than rear cowls and paint. As for the tailgate, Ford has gone ahead and added a lock to it similar to the traditional car trunk. The same key that starts the massive 6.7L V8 also locks and unlocks the rear tailgate, so for you folks with tonneau covers for your bed, your contents can in fact actually be secured without fear of theft.
Stepping inside the available 4 door crew cab, I was greeted with a rather spacious interior, as well as some seriously comfortable seats. 3 point safety belts are available on ALL of the seats, even the center console. No more "just the lap belt" The interior itself was following more of a squared of design rather than the usual curves that follow todays vehicles. The truck I test drove was an XLT version and did not have the 4.5" LCD screen that sits between the speedometer and RPM gauge. As far as gauges went the dash features the two large typical Speedometer and tach gauges with 4 small gauges above them including Turbo boost, engine temp, trans temp, and fuel level. The negative to these gauges is they are idiot gauges. The turbo boost gauges is only 90 degrees sweep and goes from 0 to 40psi with a dash in the middle for 20, making it ineffective for any real diagnosis if there was a problem. The trans temp gauges gives no numbers what-so ever, but rather just uses changes in color over a 90 degree sweep to determine heat level. Not very effective to me, more for show than actual use. For those interested in the crew cab model and our dedicated NRA supporters, the rear seats flip UP by unlocking them with your key revealing additional storage under the seat. This unit has actually been approved and certified as a LEGAL gun carrying storage device. The seats still flip forward by a lever as well, revealing the usual space behind the seats associated with crew cab models. Ford even integrated 3 mounting points behind the seat for those with young children where the car seat can be restrained too.
Now for my personal favorite, the drivetrain. The whole truck in general impressed me from the moment the salesman opened the door, and there was no difference with being lucky enough to drive it. The ever noticeable solid front axle, mounted using a three link suspension and coil overs compromises the front end. Ford still retains using manual lockouts, with the latest unit allowing "auto" and "full lock" which allows the front differential to be fully locked. 4wd is engaged using a "4 on the floor" style shifter, which, is actually more of an eyesore than good looking, it could have used a bit of change in shaping for sure. The knob that provides info on what "position" engages what drive is tucked up under the dash while in 2wd HI, making it impossible to read without bringing it out.
The rear axle has numerous different options, ranging from a 3.55, 3.73 and a 4.30 gear ration with either an open diff, limited slip, or Fords New electronic rear locker. With the turn of a knob on the dashboard the rear axle will go from locked to unlocked at the drivers command. The unit even "unlocks" itself automatically at 35mph and above to provide a more relaxed feel on the road as compared to having a locker out back full time. Ford also added a cast rear diff cover with diffuser fins on it to help reduce internal temps as compared to the traditional stamped steel unit.
And of course the best for last. Behind all the fancy little options, do-dads and knick-nacks is Ford's very own, and the much awaited 6.7L Powerstroke Turbo diesel V8. Noise wise, the engine is dead quiet. But only slightly quieter than the 6.4 twin turbo at idle. During normal acceleration, the Honeywell built VGT Dual stage compressor turbocharger creates a quiet whistle complimenting the natural V8 growl. The truck uses a dual cooling system. One dedicated entirely for the engine, while the other is a dedicated system for the EGR exclusively and the Water-to-air intercooler. Ford was able to drop intake temps another 50 degrees just by adding the water-to-air style unit in conjunction with the typical air-to-air intercooler stacked in front of the radiator. Despite the massive amount of space there is to fill up using 2 intercoolers, turbo lag is not present at all. Under about half throttle, the turbo brought the truck to 20psi in less than a second and pinned me to the seat with little effort.
With the exception of the bold new front Grill(perhaps a bit overkill for for me. Especially with a 13" long FORD oval screaming at you), the truck itself still carries the same basic curves and lines of the traditional Super Duty. The name "Super Duty" has been relocated from the hood of the truck to the grill as well, leaving the hood with nothing more than rear cowls and paint. As for the tailgate, Ford has gone ahead and added a lock to it similar to the traditional car trunk. The same key that starts the massive 6.7L V8 also locks and unlocks the rear tailgate, so for you folks with tonneau covers for your bed, your contents can in fact actually be secured without fear of theft.
Stepping inside the available 4 door crew cab, I was greeted with a rather spacious interior, as well as some seriously comfortable seats. 3 point safety belts are available on ALL of the seats, even the center console. No more "just the lap belt" The interior itself was following more of a squared of design rather than the usual curves that follow todays vehicles. The truck I test drove was an XLT version and did not have the 4.5" LCD screen that sits between the speedometer and RPM gauge. As far as gauges went the dash features the two large typical Speedometer and tach gauges with 4 small gauges above them including Turbo boost, engine temp, trans temp, and fuel level. The negative to these gauges is they are idiot gauges. The turbo boost gauges is only 90 degrees sweep and goes from 0 to 40psi with a dash in the middle for 20, making it ineffective for any real diagnosis if there was a problem. The trans temp gauges gives no numbers what-so ever, but rather just uses changes in color over a 90 degree sweep to determine heat level. Not very effective to me, more for show than actual use. For those interested in the crew cab model and our dedicated NRA supporters, the rear seats flip UP by unlocking them with your key revealing additional storage under the seat. This unit has actually been approved and certified as a LEGAL gun carrying storage device. The seats still flip forward by a lever as well, revealing the usual space behind the seats associated with crew cab models. Ford even integrated 3 mounting points behind the seat for those with young children where the car seat can be restrained too.
Now for my personal favorite, the drivetrain. The whole truck in general impressed me from the moment the salesman opened the door, and there was no difference with being lucky enough to drive it. The ever noticeable solid front axle, mounted using a three link suspension and coil overs compromises the front end. Ford still retains using manual lockouts, with the latest unit allowing "auto" and "full lock" which allows the front differential to be fully locked. 4wd is engaged using a "4 on the floor" style shifter, which, is actually more of an eyesore than good looking, it could have used a bit of change in shaping for sure. The knob that provides info on what "position" engages what drive is tucked up under the dash while in 2wd HI, making it impossible to read without bringing it out.
The rear axle has numerous different options, ranging from a 3.55, 3.73 and a 4.30 gear ration with either an open diff, limited slip, or Fords New electronic rear locker. With the turn of a knob on the dashboard the rear axle will go from locked to unlocked at the drivers command. The unit even "unlocks" itself automatically at 35mph and above to provide a more relaxed feel on the road as compared to having a locker out back full time. Ford also added a cast rear diff cover with diffuser fins on it to help reduce internal temps as compared to the traditional stamped steel unit.
And of course the best for last. Behind all the fancy little options, do-dads and knick-nacks is Ford's very own, and the much awaited 6.7L Powerstroke Turbo diesel V8. Noise wise, the engine is dead quiet. But only slightly quieter than the 6.4 twin turbo at idle. During normal acceleration, the Honeywell built VGT Dual stage compressor turbocharger creates a quiet whistle complimenting the natural V8 growl. The truck uses a dual cooling system. One dedicated entirely for the engine, while the other is a dedicated system for the EGR exclusively and the Water-to-air intercooler. Ford was able to drop intake temps another 50 degrees just by adding the water-to-air style unit in conjunction with the typical air-to-air intercooler stacked in front of the radiator. Despite the massive amount of space there is to fill up using 2 intercoolers, turbo lag is not present at all. Under about half throttle, the turbo brought the truck to 20psi in less than a second and pinned me to the seat with little effort.
For that much money I would expect the bed to be filled with hookers and blow.
