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The 2017 Ford Super Duty is an all-new truck, the first since the Super Duty line was split off in 1999. Welcome to the 21st century, Super Duty.
2017 Ford F-250, F-350, and F-450 pickups will be built on fully-boxed frames under the cab that’s 95 percent steel, and Ford claims is 24 times stiffer than the last truck’s. The frame has an open-C-channel design behind the cab for ease of fitting custom commercial beds and cargo boxes.
Like the new-for-2015 F-150, the new Super Duty’s body will be made of aluminum which we’re told will save up to 350 pounds over steel construction. In fact, Ford-Trucks.com’s Chad Kirchner says “the cab itself is a common piece shared with the F-150.” But the bed, fenders, hood, and front end are of course unique to Super Duty.
Ford’s also promising that the driveline, axles, 4WD system and towing hardware have all been further robustificated with even more manliness for 2017 as well, but no specifics on that yet.
The 6.7 Power Stroke V8 diesel, which was updated last year, will be the engine to get. Though the 6.2 gas V8 you might remember from the last Raptor off-road F-150 will still be available. So too will the 6.8 gas V10, probably because U-Haul begged for it, or maybe to be a candidate for a natural gas conversion in the future.
But Ford’s marketing message for the truck revolves around “softer” toys. Like the new F-150, the Super Duty trucks will have optional 360º cameras, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and LEDs all over the place.
The technology package that gets you all that in the current half-ton truck would set you back about $2,500, so I’d expect the price will be similar on Super Duty.
That’s all going to make this immense truck much easier to operate and maneuver and reduce commercial driver fatigue significantly. At least if your boss is willing to pay for the extra features.
2017 Super Duty trucks will be available in XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum trims with dual and single rear-wheel setups.
Nothing confirmed yet regarding price, power, or payload capacities but we’ll see the truck in person shortly and hopefully learn a little more in the next 24 hours.
Agencies/Canadajournal
