Ford F-350 Super Duty Review

2008 Ford F-450 Super Duty Lariat Crew Cab Shown

Sometimes, a regular coffee just won't do it. You need something on the order of a double cappuccino to get the job done -- something with more kick, more muscle. For pickup truck buyers needing a similar boost, there's the Ford F-350 Super Duty.

As with that double cap, the F-350 Super Duty is quite a different beast from its standard brethren. Nowadays, light-duty pickups have become quite commonplace as daily drivers and even as family vehicles. Ford's F-150, in particular, has been hugely popular for the past three decades. The F-350 Super Duty, however, is a 1-ton pickup truck that's often seen doing what it does best -- hauling and pulling big loads.

More robust than even the capable F-250, the Ford F-350 Super Duty is fit for extreme grunt work thanks to the availability of a dual rear-wheel setup (commonly called a "dually") that greatly improves stability when towing. And like other Super Duties, the F-350 is available with a wide choice of body styles (regular cab, extended cab, crew cab), powertrain options and trim levels to choose from. Another reason that Ford's heavy hauler is a fave is that it can handle massive payloads while also being easy to drive and comfortable to ride in.

Recent improvements to the Ford F-350 Super Duty have yielded a stronger turbodiesel V8, even better ride and handling dynamics and a redesigned cabin with higher-quality materials. Still, there are a few other choices to consider, as Chevy and Dodge also offer worthy choices in this powerhouse field. With the domestic Big 3 constantly improving their heavies, it's almost anyone's ball game for a given model year. All are eminently capable, so we suggest driving them all back to back before you make a purchase decision.

Current Ford F-350 Super Duty

The current Ford F-350 Super Duty debuted for the 2008 model year. Although most of its sheet metal is unchanged, the front end was restyled for an even more aggressive look that includes a massive grille and stacked headlight/turn signal assemblies. There are also available power telescoping/folding side mirrors and a unique drop-down tailgate step that makes getting into the bed easier.

Upgrades under the skin include a more robust chassis that's coated to further resist corrosion, an updated rear suspension design that improves ride and handling dynamics and a bigger, stronger Power Stroke diesel V8 that pumps out an impressive 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Inside the cab are higher-quality materials and a standard MP3 audio jack.

Three body styles (regular cab, extended cab, crew cab) and four trim levels (base XL, midlevel XLT, off-road-oriented 4WD only FX4 and plush Lariat) are offered. Many options are available to further customize the F-350, including a fancy King Ranch package and a Tow Command system that integrates the control of the trailer brakes with those on the truck. A dual-rear-wheel setup is offered as well, which allows more weight to be carried in the bed as well as providing greater stability while towing a heavy trailer.

A trio of engines sees duty in the F-350 Super Duty: the standard 5.4-liter V8 (300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque), an optional 6.8-liter V10 (362 hp and 457 lb-ft) and the aforementioned 6.4-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 (350 hp and 650 lb-ft.) Transmission choices consist of a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. Buyers can choose either two- or four-wheel drive across the board.

Past Ford F-350 Super Duty Models

The previous generation Ford F-350 Super Duty ran from 1999-2007. The debut of this version marked the first time that Ford gave its heavy-duty pickups their own style. Compared to the soft contours of the F-150 of the time, the angular Super Duty with its massive grille looked every bit the square-jawed brute that lay under the skin.

Initially, the typical trim levels of base XL, decently equipped XLT and plush Lariat were offered in standard-, extended- and crew-cab body styles. Engine choices included the standard 5.4-liter V8 as well as the optional 6.8-liter V10 and 7.3-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8. A five-speed manual was standard, with a four-speed automatic optional.

If you're looking for a used Ford F-350 Super Duty, there are a few year-by-year changes to be aware of. In 2001, updates were made that included standard four-wheel ABS for all trims, an available reverse parking sensor, heated seats for the Lariat and more power for the Power Stroke engine. The following year brought a six-speed manual, new seats and the option of power-adjustable pedals.

For 2003, the FX4 off-road package debuted, as did (for crew cabs) an optional power moonroof and the King Ranch edition. A smaller yet more powerful 6.0-liter Power Stroke replacing the 7.3-liter version debuted that year as well. The 6.0-liter diesel engine, however, has a reputation for questionable reliability. For 2005, the big news was a new five-speed automatic transmission, an upgraded front suspension, a new grille and headlight design and increased towing and hauling capacities. The next few years saw just minor changes to feature and package availability.

In a review that pitted this generation Ford F-350 Super Duty against its Chevy and Dodge rivals, the Ford placed second. The F-350's chief strengths included a refined ride and competent handling and braking. Demerits were given for behind-the-pack performance when towing an 8,600-pound trailer and the cabin's lack of storage and odd mix of cheap plastics and upscale trim.

Previous to 1999, the F-350 (it wasn't called the Super Duty yet) was visually virtually indistinguishable from the F-150. However, with available muscle that included a 7.3-liter V8 and the Power Stroke turbodiesel, it was obviously up to much more demanding towing and hauling tasks.

SELECT A SPECIFIC FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.