2008 Ford F-Series Super-Duty

While it’s certainly true that higher gas prices have depressed sales of full-size pickups, it has not depressed the needs for the brawniest, heavy-duty variety, especially at work sites, and when towing big trailers. That’s what makes the advent of the second generation Ford F-series Super-Duty a main event. It’s still big, and it now fills even bigger needs.

Serious truck users demand serious trucks. And for 2008, Ford infuses their F-Series Super-Duty pickup trucks with more heavy duty credentials than ever.

Clad in ever-bolder sheet metal, these heavy duties wear new sky-high grilles, expanded wheel arches and chrome trimmed vents on the front fenders. But they also offer smart new exterior features such as a front step bumper.

A fold-away bed extender, that’s out of the way quickly when you don’t need it, and an optional integrated fold-out tailgate step and grab handle for easy bed access. The tailgate step is much appreciated, since load-floor height maxes out at 37.2-inches on some 4x4 models. 

The new Super-Duty is available in three cab styles, Regular, extended SuperCab, and our 4-door Crew Cab test truck, plus two bed lengths, 8-foot and 6.8-foot. Cargo volume ranges from 64.4 to 77.4 cubic feet, while payload ranges from 2,410 pounds to a massive 6,120 pounds

That big-max payload is carried in the new F-450 pickup, which joins the established F-250 and F-350 models for 2008.

This commanding workhorse breaks new ground with its industry-leading towing capacity of 24,500 pounds.  Ford’s TowCommand package adds an integrated trailer brake controller, a tow/haul mode automatic transmission, and on up-level trims, an exclusive PowerScope power-fold and power-telescoping mirrors.

Our F-250 test rig can tow up to 12,500 pounds of conventional trailer, or 16,100 pounds of fifth-wheel trailer, when fitted with the all-new 6.4-liter Power Stroke sequential twin-turbo diesel V8 with 350 horsepower and a massive 650 pound-feet of torque.

To make this diesel clean, Ford equips it with a high-pressure common rail fuel system, Piezo-electric fuel injectors, and a self-purging particulate filter in the exhaust system. 

The diesel will account for over 70-percent of Super-Duty sales. But buyers can also opt for one of two carryover gas engines: a 362-horsepower 6.8-liter V10, or a 300-horsepower 5.4-liter V8.

Feeding both 2- and 4-wheel drive versions, these Vs are mated to either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. 

The chassis is an extra heavy ladder-style C-channel frame with six cross members and a high strength hydroformed front-end structure. Front coil springs and massive control arms cushion a monobeam or twin I-beam suspension, depending on model and if it’s a 4x2 or 4x4, while the Hotchkiss-type solid-axle rear suspension dons extra-long leaf springs and staggered shock absorbers.

Super-Duty rides on a wheelbase range of 137 to 172.4-inches and a wide variety of wheels, from base 17-inch steel hoops, to our test truck’s big 20-inch forged alloys. They contribute to a ride that’s tough-truck firm, but much smoother than that some heavy-duty rivals.
The power steering has good feedback, but is slow, requiring a lot of input for most direction changes. But once input is delivered, the F-250 proves to be remarkably agile.

And while our drivers had no complaints about the Power Stroke’s towing prowess, they did comment that it hits the meat of its powerband a bit later than the Dodge Ram’s Cummins diesel.

The Super-Duty may be an absolute beast when it comes to getting the job done, but inside it can be as sophisticated and well-equipped as a premium SUV.

The new instrument panel has a more upscale, personal use design, with upgraded leather available for an almost plush cabin.

The F-Series offers such amenities as power adjustable gas and brake pedals, an Audiophile sound system with Navigation and an auxiliary input.

While the Crew Cab’s sizable multi-function rear cabin can be equipped with a DVD entertainment system, XLT, FX4, and Lariat trim have a rear split-bench which flips up to reveal a steel load floor. The top level King Ranch adds a rear console and Captain’s Chairs.

Base prices for the F-Series Super-Duty trucks cover a broad range. The F-250 Regular Cab XL starts at $23,305, while an F-250 Super Cab XL starts at $25,430. But choose the Crew Cab and Diesel-only F-450 and the base price jumps to $43,045. And watch the options, or you can quickly see the north side of 50-grand.

But what price a truck as tough as this? One that’s sure to make every other hard-working pickup work even harder.

The 2008 Ford F-Series Super-Duty once again sets the benchmark for heavy-duty pickups. For folks serious about trucks, they are as serious as it gets.