The rumor mill is running full-steam with whispers about a new super off-road F-150 coming from Ford. Stories of a black ops factory-prepped desert and trail truck with front and rear lockers, aggressive tires, long-travel suspension, and serious V-8 power have been burning up the airwaves, but being respectable magazine journalists we don't want to fall into this pit of possibilities and rather stick to the facts. In late 2008 the new-for-2009 Ford F-150 will go into production. It will enter the market when truck sales are down, competition is up, and Ford is desperate for a winner to keep the Blue Oval afloat.
So how did Ford do? Excellent. This truck is going to be a strong contender in the market. The towing capacity of 11,300 pounds and 3,020 payload has this 1/2-ton knocking on the 3/4-ton market's door. Towing with the trailer control system and integrated trailer brake controller is easy and makes you appreciate the new six-speed transmission for smooth controlled acceleration. We are planning a great road trip with this truck, and we'll tell you all about it in an upcoming issue.
Many of you may be asking why Ford is coming out with a new F-150 just five years after the last redesign. In the current market it pays to have something new, and with every other fullsize truck company offering new 1/2-tons recently, it was time for Ford to step up. The design and engineering of new vehicles is done with so much computerized work that it can be done quicker than ever before. Everything from how the door handles work to how the truck frame moves while off road is determined in a computer before the first prototype is built.
However, don't think this truck is all engineering with no real-world testing. Ford takes its trucks from the heat of the desert to the sloppy mud pits of its Michigan testing facility so that this 4x4 is ready for any 4-Wheel & Off-Road reader who wants to go from showroom floor to backwoods trail. This F-150 was also designed to do more and work smarter than previous 1/2-tons. The towing capacity is top in its class, and with optional trailer-brake controllers, three different engine options, and a multitude of storage and seating options, this is a well-rounded 1/2-ton in a time when truck buyers are looking for more than just a cab with a box behind it.
As for that rumored off-road truck seen tested out in the dunes and cruising the Detroit streets, all we can say is that our Ford contacts wouldn't leak a peep, and our badgering questions were answered only with a grin and a twinkle in their eye.
Let's cut to the chase. This new F-150 is available with a locking rear differential built by GKN. This electric locker is only available in the FX-4 off-road package, but there is a limited slip available in the other trim levels. The ring-and-pinion ratio is 3.15 with the two-valve 4.6L V-8 and four-speed automatic transmission or 3.31 with the three-valve 4.6L or 5.4L V-8s and the six-speed automatic transmissions. | 
Under the hood and cab are three options for V-8 engines and automatic transmissions. The 4.6L two-valve V-8 comes with a four-speed automatic transmission and delivers the same mileage and power as the previous-model V-6. The 4.6L three-valve V-8 and the 5.4L three-valve V-8 both come with a six-speed transmission and can both be run on an E85 ethanol gasoline mix. The 5.4 has been tuned for even more power and torque than the previous 300 hp/365 lb-ft. | 
Mileage is all over the news these days, and we admit that paying through the nose for fuel is getting old, but the fact remains that a fullsize truck with a V-8 is going to like visiting the pump. That said, Ford has taken multiple steps to increase its overall fleet mileage average by 1.5 mpg. Advances in aerodynamics and weight reduction have helped this. For example, the new-for-2009 F-150 frames use a mixture of hydroformed and fully boxed high-strength steel, resulting in a more rigid backbone by 10 percent over previous F-150s. |
In order to make this 1/2-ton an all-around truck, great emphasis was given to towing. The market has always made 3/4- and 1-ton trucks the tow rigs, but Ford has developed its six-speed transmission, an optional trailer-brake controller, and a new Trailer Sway Control System that applies braking to help counter the effects a trailer can put on a vehicle. | 
The hauling capacity of the F-150 is augmented by a cargo management system that includes bed dividers and a bed extender for when the gear is larger than the bed. By borrowing innovations for the Super Duty line, the F-150 now has the tailgate step for easy access as well as a box side step up front by the cab, making reaching into the deep bed a breeze. | 
The interior also doubles as storage space, with everything from the regular cab all the way up to the massive Super Crew having space for gear. The new bigger Super Crew has a flat floor and fold-up seats offering 57.6 ci of storage and wide swinging doors to allow access to that room. In addition to storage, the seven different trim levels offer everything from the western-feel King Ranch edition to the new urban Platinum series so every truck enthusiast will feel at home. |
Tech Specs
2009 Ford F-150
Base Price: N/A
Drivetrain
Engine (std/opt): 4.6L 2V V-8/4.6L 3V V-8/5.4L 3V V-8
Horsepower: 248/292/320
Torque (lb-ft): 294/320/390
Transmission: 4R75E 4-speed/6R80E 6-speed
Transfer case: 2-speed
Axle Ratios: 3.15/3.31/3.55/3.73
Dimensions
EPA Mileage city/hwy (mpg): 14/19
Curb Weight (lb): 5,628
Width (in): 78.9
Height (in): 76.2
Seating Capacity: 5 or 6
HeadRoom front/rear (in): 40/38.7
Max. Cargo Volume (lb): 1,510
Max. Towing Capacity (lb): 9,800
* Dimensions for SuperCrew 5.5-foot bed 4x4 5.4L 145-inch wheelbase (will vary depending on model configuration)