2009 Ford F-150: Picks up the pace

HOWARD ELMER FOR THE TORONTO STAR

The 2009 Ford F-150.

Howard J. Elmer

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

RoMEO, Mich.–The newest Ford F-Series pickup is 61 years removed from the original 1948 F1, but carries many of the innovative features that first model offered: a larger cab, improved suspension, better payload and extra driver comforts.

Ford used its Michigan proving grounds, about an hour from Detroit, to highlight changes to the F-150 and to show how those changes were tested.

The squared-up truck was offered for scrutiny in a garage, and I drove it through the same on- and off-road tests used in its development. Ford pitted its new F-150 truck here against the major competition – Chevy Silverado, Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra – in identical tests of day-to-day driving, rough-road ride, trailer-towing, payload capacity, emergency handling, simulated durability, and safety features, both active and passive.

Nothing was off-limits, even "Cattail Swamp," where a heavy rain caused most of the trucks that tried to cross it to sink like the Titanic.

Competition is fierce, and while Toyota and GM brought new trucks to market last year that ate into Ford's sales, Dodge has just released its new Ram. The Ram and F-Series in particular will be cross-shopped and compared head-to-head, so Ford's offer of close-quarters scrutiny at the research facility made sense.

Pricing for the F-Series starts at $24,199 for the Regular Cab, XL 2WD and rises through dozens of variations to more than $50,000.

This demonstration highlighted a new electronic rear differential "locker" on the 4WD trucks that will be standard. It's designed to improve off-road traction to the level that Chevy hit last year, when it added an automatic rear-end locker to its design.

Other key changes for this generation increase the F-Series' capacity. For instance, tow limits have increased to 5,126 kg, while payload has risen to 1,356 kg as a direct result of a new frame designed with new high-strength steel – now the industry benchmark. Despite its increased load-bearing ability, the frame weighs 45 kg less than the previous generation frame.

Ford opted to add longer (6 inch) and wider (3-inch) leaf springs that improve lateral stiffness and offer a better ride, particularly under load. Compare this to GM's 2.5-inch- wide leaves, or Dodge's new coil spring rear suspension that, under load, is a bit soft.

Also upgraded are the tires: new LT (light truck designated) tires have stiffer sidewalls for better towing and payload support.

To test the feel of the new frame, we towed loaded trailers (3,855 kg) and drove trucks with loaded beds on the test tracks. And in each case we were offered competitors' trucks carrying or towing the same weights for comparison.

The '09 F-Series offers more space, with a longer wheelbase that supports a stretched four-door SuperCrew (15 cm more for the backseat alone). And because the frame has lengthened, Ford did not rob the cargo bed for that stretch.

That extra space is put to good use with a new flat floor and rear bench seat that folds up flat against the back wall. This makes the most of cargo space and makes in and out for bulky items easy.

This new cab is also better insulated for noise and is supported entirely on isolated rubber mounts that make it more comfortable than previous versions. The quiet interior is complemented by a range of driver comforts in the nicely appointed base cabin package.

But another high-end trim level called Platinum includes such luxury touches as power folding mirrors and power running boards, bringing to seven the number of appearance packages the F-Series now offers.

While largely unchanged from 2004, the cabin leaves Ford's interiors competitive with the competition – but no one else offers this array of trim choices.

These choices include three cab styles; three box sizes (5.5, 6.5, 8 ft.) – five wheelbases (3,200-4,140 mm), and four rear-axle ratios to choose from. There are also three engine choices and two automatic transmissions – and those seven trim levels. This creates dozens of differently configured trucks.

Ford has invested a considerable amount of its development dollars in powertrain and fuel economy improvement. As a result, fuel savings as high as 12 per cent better than the previous generation have been realized (when equipped with the high-volume three-valve 5.4 L V8). Looking at all three engines, fuel economy across the line averages out at a gain of 8 per cent.

There is even a new SFE (Superior Fuel Economy) package that will be available on F-150 SuperCrew XL and XLT 2WD vehicles with the 4.6 L three-valve V8. This SFE pickup claims to hit 15.7 L/100 km city and 11.2 L/100 km highway. This is possible with a new six-speed automatic transmission and an optional 3.15 rear axle.

This new six-speed tranny has responsive low end and a double set of overdrive gears. This new gearbox alone contributes a 4-to-6 per cent fuel savings over the old four-speed.

Another gas-saving feature is a deceleration fuel shut-off. As the accelerator is released, the system temporarily turns off the fuel. Flow resumes when the truck reaches idle or the driver hits the gas again.

An interesting side note: a top horsepower of 320 made by the 5.4 L suggests that Ford has opted out of the pickup horsepower war. Dodge's Hemi, by comparison, is at 390 while the Toyota Tundra is at 381. Even GM offers a 6 L Vortec Max engine that makes 367.

Throughout F-Series history, Ford has often been the first to market with innovations that would become industry standards. New for 2009: an integrated trailer brake controller, pull-out tailgate step, retractable box-side steps, stowable bed extender and available cargo management system.

Among the best of these is the integrated trailer brake controller that Ford introduced in its Super Duty series two years ago. Now on the half-ton, it will be of interest to the more than 50 per cent of owners who tow regularly. (GM has this now, but Dodge and Toyota do not.)

But the F-150 also adds another towing feature. Trailer Sway Control can sense yaw motion in the trailer (fishtailing) and apply precise braking and cut power to bring the truck and trailer back into line.

Travel was provided to free-lance auto writer Howard Elmer by the automaker. wheels@thestar.ca

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