New 2015 Ford F-Series Super Duty Features Engine, Chassis Upgrades

[kscarbel2]

Trailer/Body Builders / March 5, 2014

Ford’s F-Series Super Duty has engine and chassis upgrades for 2015 that together deliver best-in-class horsepower, torque and towing capacity.

Ford’s second-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel now boasts 440 horsepower, up from 400 horsepower, and 860 lb.-ft. of torque, up from 800 lb.-ft, across all Super Duty models from F-250 to F-450.

The 2015 F-450 tops the F-Series Super Duty pickup truck lineup with maximum towing capacity increasing to a class-leading 31,200 pounds, a gain of 6,500 pounds. The truck’s gross combined weight rating increases to a class-leading 40,000 pounds, a gain of 7,000 pounds.

F-350 increases maximum towing capacity as well, to 26,500 pounds, from 23,200 pounds, and the gross combined weight rating goes up 5,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds.

The improved ratings are a result of designing and engineering the truck as an integrated system. The approach enabled Ford engineers to optimize performance across the full Super Duty lineup.

“Our chassis people work in unison with our powertrain people to develop more than a great truck, it’s a machine engineered for work,” said Doug Scott, Ford Truck group marketing manager. “We’re the only manufacturer that develops and builds our own powertrains in this class and when you combine that with a chassis that’s purpose-built for best-in-class power and torque, you can feel the result in the way it drives, especially when towing big loads.”

“Our chassis people have worked in unison with our powertrain people to develop more than a great truck – it’s a machine engineered for work,” he adds.

Power Stroke Engine Improvements

The 2015 Super Duty achieves best-in-class towing performance with a second-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel engine that was further developed to provide more power, torque and efficiency.

“The 6.7-liter Power Stroke was already a stout engine,” said Robert Fascetti, Ford vice president powertrain engineering. “The improvements we’ve made essentially give Super Duty customers an engine designed for our larger F-650 and F-750 trucks. They may not realize how tough this engine really is.”

Key innovations on the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel are its compacted graphite iron engine block and reverse-flow layout. This segment-exclusive design places the exhaust inside the engine’s V-shape, with while the air intake positioned on the outside resulting in a variety of advancements:

- Shorter airflow from the exhaust system to the new, larger turbocharger sitting between the engine’s cylinder banks improves turbo responsiveness – key to providing torque quickly to truck customers when they need it most

- Positioning the turbo inside the engine’s valley helps isolate the engine’s hottest temperatures, improving performance and efficiency, while also reducing noise, vibration and harshness to improve driver comfort

Enhancements include a larger turbocharger for faster air displacement resulting in more power. The engine block is made of compacted graphite iron, which is stronger yet lighter than cast iron, is more wear-resistant and has enhanced sealing properties.

“The designers of the original 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel predicted that it would eventually need to be upgraded for higher output,” said David Ives, Ford Power Stroke technical specialist. “They designed it in a way that made it easier to add a larger turbocharger, increasing airflow and creating more power for dramatically improved performance, yet we haven’t lost any efficiency.”

New injector tips spray a finer mist of fuel into the cylinders which provides a more complete burn and helps reduce noise, vibration and harshness. Other benefits include lower emissions and less fuel deposit buildup on the intake valves over time.

The engine enhancements give the Power Stroke engine a class-leading maximum output of 440 horsepower and 860 lb.-ft. of torque.

Chassis improvements

The F-350 is available with a high-capacity towing package that includes new front springs and a wide track axle, increasing the gross combined weight rating with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke engine from 31,900 pounds to 35,000 pounds.

Improvements to the F-450 that allow it to handle the increased tow rating include commercial- grade 19.5-inch wheels and tires; upgraded rear U-joints and suspension components, including new rear leaf springs; front and rear stabilizer bars; and shocks. The steering system has stronger gears and linkages and the fifth-wheel/gooseneck has an increased towing capacity. The brakes are larger brakes and feature new antilock brake calibration for enhanced braking performance.

[earthmover]

31,200 LB towing capacity seems like a lot for a glorified pick-up truck.

[GreenGiant2]

I have grossed over 35 k on my 2000 f40 and it handled it well. but that was the good 7.3

[RFCDrum]

All that power and no engine brake or drive line retarder.

[jaysm35a2]

Its stopping a 31,200 load with a non CDL driver that worries me, just a hero with a big pick up

[Bullheaded]

440h.p. That ought to be a real time bomb now. I couldn't keep Powerstrokes together in my trucks at the old and previous ratings.

Instead of adding power.....they should have redesigned them with the engine in the box so I don't have to pull my cab off on a monthly basis.

Good truck......for somebody else.

[gearhead204]

well my o6 f350 will be glad to hear it has been up graded to pull what it pulls now lol

[earthmover]

Its stopping a 31,200 load with a non CDL driver that worries me, just a hero with a big pick up

Exactly my point. There making pickups that are capable of towing more weight but doesn't mean the average Joe behind the wheel is.

[41180]

That is overkill 440 hp 860 tq no wonder they only get 9 mpg if you work them.retarded just so some weekend warrior can brag about his truck

[41180]

I hope they beef up the f550 frame. The highway dept where I live just broke the frame right off in the front of there 2013 f550 plow truck

[Red Horse]

I hope they beef up the f550 frame. The highway dept where I live just broke the frame right off in the front of there 2013 f550 plow truck

Wow-2013 so its not rust-just where did it break and what were they doing when it broke?

[41180]

Not sure where . I just heard about it. Ill find out. I'm assuming plowing

[Hewy and Ruth]

They spent so much time on the F series that they forgot about the E chassis. No Diesel engine in the E, just the V-10 Gas. All our new ambulances will be on the Diesel Chevy chassis.

[Green Dash]

This is definitely going to bring out the Billy Little Rigger attitude in some folks. As if steering clear of the once a year RVer's wasn't enough.

On an unrelated note: Anyone know if Ford plans on re-releasing the Ranger for the girlie men like myself?

[Maddog13407]

great. more small penis guys at stoplights burping out clouds of black smoke and makin a lot of noise and turning to see who looks at them. after turning as many wrenches on out 99 7.3 with 350,000 miles on it at work and our junk 2007 with a .6.0 and 115,000 miles and a $6000 dollar a year repair bill you couldn't pay me enough to buy a new Ford Super Junk

[j hancock]

I always wanted a diesel SD but couldn't justify the up charge to get it, pay more for fuel and now with Ford building it, getting bad mieage.

Then the guv'ment wants me to burn piss on top of everything else.

My 6.2 gets 18 mpg highway and the rest of the SD chassis gives me zero problems so far.

I wouldn't mind blatting a little smoke at a lowrider Honda once in a while though....

[bulldogboy]

They spent so much time on the F series that they forgot about the E chassis. No Diesel engine in the E, just the V-10 Gas. All our new ambulances will be on the Diesel Chevy chassis.

The "E" series is being replaced in 2014 with a new Transit van. It will be offered in various roof heights, wheelbases,

and models; van, wagon, chassis cab, and cut-away. There will be a diesel option, a 3.2L, I-5 Powerstroke. Not sure

if there will be an ambulance package offered. I have read that the "E" series will still be available as a chassis cab

and cut-away until the end of the decade. In my area, AMR Ambulance is still buying new "E" models so I assume

that they have the V-10 gas engines.

bulldogboy