The flagship of the unique 2012 Ford F-450 Super Duty lineup is the King Ranch Crew Cab 8ft Bed DRW 4WD, which boasts an enviable array of appearance bling and hi-tech goodies for work, appearance, comfort and convenience needs. The standard 4-door Crew Cab configuration seats 6 comfortably, while the 8-foot bed carries a ton of stuff (literally) over its dual rear wheels (DRW). Standard part-time 4-wheel drive (4WD), meantime, gives this heavy-duty pickup truck a hefty edge off the beaten path. But this huge truck is more than just another muscle-bound brute. Sure, it has a standard trailer hitch and wiring, but it also sports 17-inch polished-alloy wheels and a chrome grille, not to mention heated power-adjustable mirrors, leather upholstery and heated power-adjustable front bucket seats. Scads of leather and simulated wood cabin accoutrements complement dual-zone climate control, digital-keypad remote power door locks and power windows, as well as cruise control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, power-adjustable pedals, while rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and a universal remote garage door opener are also delivered with this big rig. And that’s not all: Standard audio and telematics equipment includes a single-CD player with 9 speakers, satellite radio, a USB connection and Bluetooth hands-free communications capability. For confident towing, this beast also comes with a standard integrated trailer brake controller and trailer sway control.
Options for the F-450 Super Duty King Ranch include the FX Off-Road Package with skid plates, descent control, all-terrain tires and Rancho brand shock absorbers, as well as Ford Work Solutions’ Crew Chief Telematics Package with vehicle speed, idle time and location monitoring. Then there’s the Live-Drive Power Takeoff Package that powers seasonal or job-related add-ons, whether under way or at idle, via a direct hookup to the transmission, not to mention a spray-in bedliner, remote engine start, DVD-based navigation with HD radio and NavTraffic, 18-inch polished aluminum wheels and supplemental cabin heating. Ford’s touted SYNC hands-free audio and communications interface, as well as SYNC AppLink smartphone internet service (limited), handy upfitter switches for added electrical devices, a power-sliding rear window and the popular Tailgate Assist Step for easier bed access are also available to this high-end pickup.
Driving the 2012 F-450 Super Duty King Ranch is the standard 400-hp 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 engine. Mated with the ubiquitous 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, this monster throws down an astounding 800 lb-ft of torque, good enough to tow 17,500 pounds of trailer with the standard straight hitch, and some 25,000 pounds with the available gooseneck or fifth-wheel rigs. Traditionally a less-than-fuel-efficient vehicle, this hefty heavy-duty pickup is ignored by the EPA mileage gurus. Finally, the standard 4WD system is managed by electronic hi-lo gear selection and auto-locking hubs for off-road-capable shift-on-the-fly 4WD capability.
Besides its sheer size, the 2012 F-450 Super Duty King Ranch boasts such standard safety features as 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags and front and rear head airbags. Additionally, this behemoth comes with standard turn-signal-integrated mirrors, front fog/driving lights, a remote antitheft alarm and a post-collision safety system. Optional across the F-450 Super Duty lineup is an external back-up chime.
