2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty Review

The Ford F-350 Super Duty one-ton pickup has been redesigned for 2008. Under the skin, a number of major upgrades take place. Ford says the chassis is stronger than before and now has a new type of coating for improved corrosion resistance. The rear suspension has also been tweaked to improve ride and handling without compromising capability. The PowerStroke diesel engine grows from 6.0 to 6.4 liters and now makes an impressive 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Also new this year are higher-grade cabin materials, a standard MP3 audio jack, available power telescoping/folding side mirrors and a unique, drop-down tailgate step that makes getting into the bed easier.

With this year's increase in output for the PowerStroke turbodiesel V8, robust new chassis and numerous refinements to the cabin, the 2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty is back in competitive form in the 1-ton pickup class.

Do your towing and hauling requirements run toward the super-size category? We're talking about pulling things like six-horse trailers, 35-foot boats and travel trailers that resemble rolling luxury condos. If so, then a 1-ton pickup truck is the obvious tool for the job. Ford's F-350 Super Duty is the company's entry in this draft horse segment, and a number of major improvements for the 2008 model year push this capable beast of burden to the front of the pack.

More robust than even the capable F-250 Super Duty, the F-350 is fit for even more extreme grunt work thanks to features like the availability of a dual rear-wheel setup (commonly called a "dually"), which greatly improves stability when towing.

Although a capable and very popular workhorse, the outgoing Ford F-350 Super Duty was a dated design compared to the more recently revamped rivals from GM and Dodge.

The Ford's performance lagged behind and the cabin didn't offer the comfort, storage and luxurious feel that the newer trucks had. For '08, Ford has revamped the F-350 Super Duty pickup considerably, giving this sales chart superstar greater work capacity along with a much improved interior.

More than just the aggressive, in-your-face looks, the freshened front end styling brings a functional advantage. The higher hood, bigger grille and redesigned front bumper all allow more cool air to reach the radiator. Available behind that grille is a larger PowerStroke diesel engine. It's now at 6.4 liters, versus 6.0 liters last year, and features twin turbochargers (a small one for quick response off the line and a larger one that kicks in to beef up the midrange) and common-rail fuel injection with high-tech injectors. Because these injectors administer fuel in up to five metered spurts per combustion cycle rather than all at once, reliability is improved, emissions are reduced and the engine even runs quieter. Another benefit is quick startup — this diesel can fire up in under 2 seconds at minus-20 degrees.

Supporting the new engine is a stronger frame. Ford says it's tougher than before, thanks to new reinforcements and increased use of high-strength steel. There's also a new rear suspension design; it's said to improve stability during acceleration, braking and cornering. It should also lower the truck's rear end for easier towing of tall gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailers.

Previously, we lauded Ford's heavy hauler for its work capacity and smooth ride and handling qualities, but took issue with its back-of-the-pack performance and cold interior ambience. This year's major improvements, namely the more potent PowerStroke engine and revamped cabin, go a long way toward putting the 2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty back at the top of the class.

There are three engine choices for the F-350 Super Duty: the standard 5.4-liter gasoline V8 (which makes 300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque), an optional 6.8-liter V10 (362 hp and 457 lb-ft) and the most popular choice (and the one recommended for those who do serious hauling and towing), the available 6.4-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8, which now makes 350 hp and 650 lb-ft. Regardless of engine choice, buyers have a choice of transmissions ¯ a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic ¯ and may select either two- or four-wheel drive.

Properly equipped, the 2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty can tow up to 15,000 pounds and handle a 23,500-pound Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) when fitted with the optional 4.10 rear axle.

Antilock disc brakes are standard, but neither side- nor side-curtain airbags are available. Power-adjustable pedals are optional on XLT and Lariat models (equipped with automatic transmission), as are rear parking sensors.

Though we've driven the new Ford F-450 and come away impressed, we've yet to sample the 2008 Ford F-350. Check back later for specific F-350 commentary.

A rugged, industrial theme marks the revised cabin, and materials quality is improved over the previous truck. Chrome accents surround the gauges and air vents, while the new center stack puts controls in easier reach. Dual door pockets and a massive center console/armrest address our previous gripes about inadequate storage. In fact, the center console box is now big enough to accommodate a laptop and/or hanging files. In crew cabs, folding the rear seats up reveals a flip-out utility tray that keeps the load floor flat.