TFLtruck has the skinny on the beefy new 2017 Ford Super Duty Pickup truck. We were lucky enough to have seen the new 2017 Ford Super Duty pickup truck in Dearborn, MI a week ago; but we were sworn to an embargo and had to keep to it until now. Fortunately, we have a ton of facts about the new 2017 Ford Super Duty pickup truck lineup. And we will get you all the videos very soon!
Aluminum Body
Like the new Ford F-150, the 2017 Ford Super Duty pickup truck’s skin, cab and bed are made of aluminum. This will save up to 350 lbs compared to the previous model. The cab is about four-inches longer for more interior space, but the bed lengths remain the same. The “military grade” aluminum is said to be dent resistant and 14% more is used to reinforce the bed.
According to Ford, the weight savings brought in by the aluminum construction meant that they could beef up the axles, drive-line, suspension and add a stronger transfer case.
Frame
A new, fully-boxed frame is (according to Ford) up to 24X stiffer. Yep, twenty four times stiffer than the last frame. Keep in mind, the chassis-cab has an old-school C-channel frame from the cab back. This helps with adapting and mounting various upfit boxes and accessories in back. This new frame is also over 1.5 inches taller than the older frame. The frame is made of 95% “high strength” steel. There’s a new 5th wheel cross-member and new, extruded cross-member reinforcements.
The taller frame and higher rake lifts the bed-rail height about one inch. The tailgate-integrated step and handhold have been improved. “Weight Carrying” hitches are standard.
Engines & Transmissions
The 6.2-liter V8 and the 6.8-liter V10 gas engines remain unchanged. The 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel will get a power increase. The exact specification are not released yet. We are assuming that Ford will wait and see what General Motors reveals with their new diesel numbers. Could 1,000 lb-ft of torque be on the menu? Hmm…
There are two transmissions available: a new “TorqShift-G” 6-speed automatic transmission for the F-250 and the venerable TorqShift® Heavy-Duty 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission for the larger Super Duty trucks.
Interior
The interior is upgraded all the way around and the rear seat belts are the newest-generation inflatable units. Many of the switches have been moved above the driver aircraft-style. Front passengers can enjoy massaging seats.
There is a collapsible storage box under the rear seats in the Super Crew Cab configuration. This folding container locks in place and it can easily fit a few shotguns. The rear seat folds down on top of the box, completely covering the contents.
Cameras and Technology
There will be up to seven cameras mounted on the new Super Duty AND this includes your trailer. That’s right, one of the camera set-ups available will hard-wire a back-up camera onto the back of your trailer. This system will work seamlessly with the other cameras in the Super Duty’s display. The rest of the cameras will give the driver a bird’s eye/360-degree view, side view, and rear view. This is designed to assist in hitching (the camera can zoom) fifth-wheel and goose-neck trailers.
BLIS – blind-spot detection, adaptive cruise-control, TPMS (tire-pressure monitoring system for the truck AND trailer) and five distinctive grills and trim levels are available: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum. SYNC-3 will be available, as well as the LED headlights. There is an auto-down tailgate feature.
The truck can also be equipped with adaptive steering system. It makes the truck easier to maneuver at slow speeds and keep it more straight at high speeds.
The body is sharply creased and the stamp “Super Duty” on the hood hovers over the largest “Ford” ovals yet. It still looks like a Super Duty, but its even more boxy. Despite this, Ford was able to make it more aerodynamic.
The all-new Super Duty will be available for sale at the end of calendar 2016.
Check the following fact sheets from Ford:
2017 Ford Super Duty: Quick Facts
2017 Ford Super Duty: Technologies and Features
Editor’s Note: Ford is going all in with aluminum body construction in pickup trucks. Aluminum cab and bed for a working heavy duty truck. Ford is showing great confidence in the future of aluminum.
Here is the debut of the new truck!
