Ford F-350

F series of pickup trucks have been manufactured by Ford for a long time now. They were first introduced in the year 1948 and the series has undergone 11 major design changes over the years as it continues to be produced by Ford Motor Company even today. These trucks are heavy and large and they have a very solid body that makes them ideal for carrying large hauls over long distances.

Ford F-350 is a powerful and muscular pickup truck from Ford Motor Company that fulfills the requirements of those who want to buy a hard working truck that is able to tow and haul huge loads. This series of vans is very popular all over the country because of its high performance and efficiency. If you are involved in a business that requires hauling huge loads over a long distance, you look for something more than ordinary pickup trucks. This is where Ford F-350 scores over other vehicles in its category.

If Ford F-250 was capable, Ford F-350 goes even further with its power and efficiency. This is not all as you can buy this beast of a vehicle in many different styles with options in powertrain and trim levels. But power and efficiency are not the only reasons why this heavy duty pickup truck is loved and preferred by the customers. This pickup truck is also very comfortable and easy to drive. You have the option to choose between 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive versions of these pickup trucks.

What is new in 2014?

There are three major changes that can be seen in the latest model of Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup truck. If the earlier V8 5.7 liter turbo diesel engine was powerful, the all new Ford F-350 boasts of an even powerful engine in the form of the same engine that has been totally upgraded and now gives 440hp along with 860 lb-ft of torque. This means you get an additional 40 hp of power and nearly 60 lb-ft of torque more than its predecessor. The new model also boasts of a sturdier and heavier frame. You also get bigger brakes and a suspension that has been given more strength. All these changes mean that your new pickup truck is more powerful and it can towe heavier loads to a greater distance.

Models and features

Ford F-350 pickup van is available in many different body styles to suit the requirements of the owner. Ford has made clear its intentions to compete with its rivals Dodge and Chevrolet that are producing similar pickup trucks. The body style options availabl;e to you when you go to buy this monster truck are

·         Regular cab

·         Extended cab

·         Crew cab

In addition, you get the option of 5 different trim levels that are as follows

·         Base XL

·         Midlevel XLT

·         King Ranch

·         Ultra plush platinum

·         Luxurious Lariat

Options and packages

You can either go for 6.2 liter gasoline V8 engine that provides 385hp power and 405 lb-ft of torque or go for the more powerful engine called PowerStroke turbo diesel that gives 400 hp of power along with 800 lb-ft of torque. You get 6-speed automatic transmission with both versions of the truck. There is also an option of choosing between 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive. Both drives have a real axle having leaf springs on all 4 corners. There is even an option of dual rear wheel setup. These suspensions play a big role in the heavy payload capacity of the truck and its towing capabilities. This feature is great when you have to tow large loads as it provides greater stability to the van.

Under the hood

You do not feel or hear a thing even when carrying huge payloads inside the truck because of the use of sound deadening measures. This means you can enjoy a comfortable ride on the highways listening to various FM radio channels with the radio fitted inside the van. This van makes use of the latest Bluetooth technology called SYNC that allows you to make calls and stream music from your smartphone by simply giving voice commands to your device. This is not all as this technology can even read aloud your incoming text message so that you never have to bother about looking at your phone while driving the truck.

There is a large 4.2 inch LCD mounted on the dashboard with touch sensitive controls to enable you to change radio stations and to listen to weather forecasts without requiring to stop the truck. This pickup truck has many storage nooks and cup holders placed throughout the front cabin to help you place your bottles and glasses without spilling the liquids inside the truck. As far as material used for the interiors is concerned, you get high quality plastic in the base model though you get wood accents and even leather in the up level models of Ford F-350.

Fuel economy is decent

Ford F-350 is bought by the owners for its power and efficiency though they are also concerned with its fuel efficiency as they have to look at their profits in the end. This heavy duty pickup truck gives a mileage of 10 miles per liter of gasoline in city driving conditions while this mileage increases to 14 when you are driving it on the highways.

Safety features and ratings

As far as safety features are concerned, Ford F-350 is second to none in its category of pickup trucks. It is fitted with anti-lock brakes, stability control, front impact airbags, side impact airbags, overhead airbags, and an ignition disable service.

Overall impressions

Ford F-350 is a beast on road when it comes to its solid body and load bearing capacity. It is a high performance pickup truck that has a robust design and moves on an on with very little maintenance required. Available in a price range of $30000-$50000, this pickup truck is worth every penny that is spent over it. You can rely over this monster truck to deliver the promise time after time for a long time to come.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Super_Duty

http://www.ford.com/trucks/superduty/specifications/?gnav=footer-nameplate

http://autos.aol.com/cars-Ford-F_350-2014/safety-features/

http://www.edmunds.com/ford/f-350-super-duty/?ps=used

http://www.leftlanenews.com/new-car-buying/ford/f-series-super-duty/#