2009 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The 2009 Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup stands pat after a significant redesign in ’08. Featuring the standard 5.4-liter V8 and a six-speed manual transmission that powers out 300 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque, this full-size pickup also offers a 6.8-liter V10 with a five-speed TorqueShift automatic or a heavy-hauling 6.4-liter PowerStroke twin-turbodiesel, also with the five-speed auto. The V10 puts out 362 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque, and the turbodiesel grinds out 350 hp and an awesome 650 lb-ft of torque. The turbodiesel is standard in the Harley-Davidson trim. EPA estimates are not available for any of these engines.

Ford's F-250 is delivered in six trim levels: XL, XLT, FX4, Lariat, King Ranch, and the top-shelf Harley-Davidson. Five wheelbases are available - 137 inches, 142 inches, 156 inches, 158 inches, and 172 inches - and three cab configurations: Regular Cab, Super Cab, and Crew Cab. The longer wheelbases  use an 8-foot bed and offer 77.4 cubic feet of cargo space, while the shorter wheelbases use a 6¾–foot bed and feature 64.4 cubic feet of capacity. Of course, Ford’s F-250 is also offered in either rear-wheel- or four-wheel-drive configurations. Maximum payload capacity for the ’09 F-250 Super Duty is 3,150 lbs, and according to Ford, towing capacity with the standard 5.4-liter V8 is 12,500 lbs.

Standard features for the base XL trim level, which is available in all wheelbases and all cab configurations, includes a 7-pin trailer wiring harness, twin I-beam front suspension, 17-inch steel wheels, heavy-duty shock absorbers, a tachometer, AM/FM radio with two speakers, air-conditioning, and reclining front seats. XLTs, also available in all cab and wheelbase choices, feature a trailer brake controller, chrome 17-inch wheels, tilt-wheel steering, an MP3-capable CD player with four speakers, cruise control, power windows and locks, and heated, power mirrors. The Lariat, available only in Super and Crew Cab, adds 18-inch aluminum wheels, power front seats, Ford’s Bluetooth-capable SYNC voice-activated communications and entertainment system, dual zone temperature control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and Sirius satellite radio.

The FX4 trim for 2009 is also offered only in Super and Crew Cab and 4WD configurations, and boasts a 4.1 axle ratio, skid plates, and a limited-slip differential as the F-250 line-up’s off-road workhorse. Ford offers a special FX4 Cabela edition with Cabela branding, 6-inch step tubes, a unique instrument panel, and Cabela leather.

For 2009, the top-line F-250 King Ranch and Harley-Davidson trim levels, again, only in Super and Crew Cabs and 4WD, offer a six-disc CD/MP3 player, power adjustable pedals and seats with driver’s seat memory, the five-speed TorqueShift automatic transmission, and in the case of the F-250 Harley-Davidson, the 6.4-liter V8 twin turbodiesel and five-speed automatic come standard along with Harley-Davidson-branded leather and chrome.

Options for the F-250 trims for ’09 include upgraded powerplants and transmissions, a six-disc CD/MP3 player, a trailer brake controller, tilt-wheel steering, cruise control, and Sirius satellite radio for the lower- and middle-priced trims. Leather, a DVD rear seat entertainment system, a rear backup camera, and a touch-screen nav system are available for the middle and higher-end trims, while dual alternators, a spray-in bed liner, and upfitter switches for powered accessories are offered for all trims.

Safety features for the F-250 Super Duty include four-wheel disc ABS, second-generation front airbags with passenger side deactivation, child safety tethers, the SOS post-crash system, and the Securilock anti-theft system. Crash test data is not yet available for the Ford F-250 Super Duty.

Drivers found the 2008 Ford F-250 to be somewhat gas hungry, but were impressed with the performance and interior design of this full-size workhorse.

By Eric Tallberg