Ford said a few years back that all vehicles would be getting refreshed more often and they meant it. It was just as few years ago the F-Series Super Duty trucks got a redesign. Today new redesigned version of the top dog trucks has been unveiled at the Texas State Fair. You might have to look hard to see some of the styling differences, and they are evolutionary rather than evolutionary. The big news is under the hood, between the frame rails and on the spec sheet.
Leaving out only the horsepower specs, Ford told us all about the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine a couple weeks ago which delivers significantly improved torque and horsepower. It is also ready to run on biodiesel B20 out of the box. The 5.4 liter gasoline engine goes by the wayside to make way for an all new 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine that also delivers significantly improved torque and horsepower over the old engine. That news is so big for the 6.2 liter V8 we have a separate story.
The Power Stroke diesel comes with a new TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission available with a power take-off (PTO) The all-new 6R140 heavy-duty transmission was designed to manage the high low-end torque produced by the new diesel engine. The same basic transmission also is mated to the new gasoline engine, giving customers of either engine the ability to efficiently get the increased torque and horsepower to the ground.
On 2011 Super Duty diesels with the PTO prep option, the PTO output gear is linked through the torque converter to the engine crankshaft. This allows the transmission to power auxiliary equipment such as snowplows, aerial lifts, tow truck lifts, cement mixers or dump trucks. The power is available any time the engine is running.
Ford’s lauded Trailer Sway Control (TSC) system joins the Super Duty lineup, giving those customers segment-first capability. TSC is integrated with AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, which now is standard on all single rear wheel (SRW) configurations.
The AdvanceTrac control module uses additional software to monitor the truck’s motion when a trailer is attached. Trailer Sway Control can determine from the yaw motion of the truck if the trailer is swaying and take measures – such as applying precise braking or reducing engine torque – to help reduce the trailer sway.
While the profile and cab look much the same, the front end and fender flares got a pretty substantial upgrade in style. The new hood of the 2011 Super Duty, with its prominent inverted power dome, complements the new diesel and gasoline engines lurking beneath. The hood wraps over the leading edge into a chiseled out chrome emblemation just ahead of the doors. Gone are the fake side vents. “Super Duty” is stamped on the upper grille, with a larger Ford oval proudly gracing the front. The look is indeed a modernization of the previous style and has a higher-tier more expensive look.
Inside, customers will benefit from a new reconfigurable flow-through console that improves the functionality of the truck. Storage space is increased about 60 percent, and at least 70 different configurations are possible. A 12-volt powerpoint is available at the rear of the console and another is located inside the main bin, which is lockable. A 110-volt power inverter is standard with all console configurations.
A number of other new safety and convenience options have been added inside including the Ford “Work Options”. Overall the new 2011 Ford Super Duty will likely continue to be number one in its class as Ford continues to improve them a little bit at a time.
