2008 Ford Super Duty Review

The Ford Super Duty is the largest mass-market pickup truck you can get, offered in the widest array of configurations and powertrains, and equally able to meet recreational or commercial needs. Safety equipment includes antilock brakes, dual front airbags, adjustable height outboard belt anchors, child-seat LATCH anchors, and a passenger airbag deactivation switch on regular and SuperCabs, all standard. The 2008 Ford Superduty is an excellent truck for those who need extreme towing and hauling capabilities. With so many options, body styles, powertrains, and features available there is a Ford Superduty for just about anyone. With three-and-a-half feet of headroom and just shy of six feet of shoulder room, the Ford Super Duty cab is massive. In a first for any major pickup manufacturer Ford has added a medium-duty pickup, the F-450, to the line.

 Lineup for 2008

The 2008 Ford Super Duty offers four weight divisions, four trim levels and either a 6.75 foot or 8 foot box. Most are available in two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The F-450, however, is only offered in the long-bed Crew Cab version.

XLT trim features a 40/20/40 cloth front seat, chrome wheels and trim,  carpet, AC, CD player, power windows, power locks and power mirrors, tilt steering wheel and cruise control. Options offered include power captain's chairs, heated seats, aluminum wheels, Audiophile sound system, DVD for the rear seat, a moonroof and a Sport trim package.

 The FX4 off-road model features all-terrain tires, 18-inch wheels, fog lamps, skid plates, a security system, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. A navigation/Audiophile system, Sirius radio, 20-inch wheels, and foldable, heated dual-element towing mirrors are all available.

The Lariat trim level features steering wheel mounted audio and climate controls, power leather seats, polished wheels, a sliding rear window and privacy glass. Additional options include everyone on the Super Duty plus a universal door opener, power sliding rear window and captain's chairs.

The King Ranch package (only available on the Lariat Crew Cab) features forged alloy wheels, power trailer mirrors, Chaparral leather, and two-tone paint.

Exterior of '08 Superduty

The 2008 Ford Super Duty, already one of the biggest pickups around, appears even more imposing because of a larger grille, deeper bumper, and stacked lamps with the headlights on the bottom. Super Duty pickups come in three forms: regular cab; four-door SuperCab with two conventional front doors and two smaller, rear-opening back doors; and four-door Crew Cab with four conventional front-hinged doors. The color of the side vent gives away if it is gasoline or diesel-powered. Front tow hooks are standard. A chrome front bumper and bright grille go on XLT models, while the Lariat adds cab steps, fog lamps and a sliding rear window.

Superduty Power and Drive

The Ford Superduty is powered by a variety of engines. Options include a 5.4-liter Triton V-8, rated at 300 hp and 365 pounds-feet of torque, and the 6.8-liter V-10, which generates 362 hp and 457 pounds-feet of torque. A 5.4-liter V8 with 300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque is standard on all models up to the F-350 Crew Cab DRW, which has the 362-hp, 457 lb-ft 6.8-liter V10 standard. A six-speed manual is standard, a five-speed automatic available. The 6.4-liter diesel engine is all-new for 2008, with just two parts shared with the previous 6-liter diesel. Also note that the five-speed automatic transmission falls one gear short of GM and Dodge's six-speed automatics. The standard 5.4-liter V8 is the cost leader, and it's a good choice if you don't plan on towing anything more than 5,000 pounds over relatively rolling countryside.

It is important to remember that no matter what engineers do to improve the handling of a big truck, it will never operate like a car. Maneuverability is limited, and the amount of power that these trucks offer takes some getting used to. If you haven't anything heavy to carry or tow, a Super Duty's capabilities will far exceed your requirements. Ford's Tow Command integrated trailer brake system is easy to set up and provides better, smoother trailer braking control than any aftermarket controller. There are two primary improvements to the Super Duty's driving characteristics, in what has always been a competitive vehicle: the diesel engine is all-new and the rear springs' forward perch has been moved forward eight inches.

Inside the Ford Superduty

Air conditioning, power windows and locks, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel and a CD player are standard in XLT models. Lariat trucks include power front seats with leather surfaces. With three-and-a-half feet of headroom and just shy of six feet of shoulder room, the Ford Super Duty cab is massive. A new instrument pod provides road and engine speed with larger dials with four smaller gauges lined up between. On diesel models you'll see fluid temperature, boost gauge and automatics. The center stack is home to two large vents, navigation and radio, and climate control. Side steps are available. Front bench seat riders may find the deep dash compromises their knee and foot room, especially if the driver needs the seat forward.

Summary

The Super Duty line includes the F-250, F-350 and new F-450 -and for 2008 it received an exterior and interior styling overhaul as well as a new diesel engine: a twin-turbocharged V-8 diesel. The Super Duty line can haul from one ton to three.  For 2008, the Super Duty adds an F-450 model, a truck that takes a medium-duty chassis cab and adds a pickup box much like aftermarket firms have been doing for years for affluent trailer pullers. You can spot an F-450 by the 10-lug, 19.5-inch wheels and huge rear differential. For more research, read another review of the '08 Superduty by Auto Channel. The Ford Super Duty is the largest mass-market pickup truck you can get, offered in the widest array of configurations and powertrains, and equally able to meet recreational or commercial needs. The F-250's competitors are the Dodge Ram 2500, the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and the GMC Sierra 2500, which also have diesel and gasoline engines.