Matchbox 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty by Superlift suspensions is one hot fire truck
Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Truck, Work, Ford, Police/Emergency
We have little interest in running into burning buildings, but we can imagine being a firefighter has its perks. For starters, those guys and girls get the chance to pilot some seriously incredible machinery. Superlift, Matchbox and Ford got together to create what could very possibly be the world's most bad-ass brush truck using a 2011 F-350 Super Duty as the base chassis. The truck wears an astonishing 10-inch lift and 41-inch Interko IROK tires. A full tube exo-cage helps protect the PPG "Oh So Orange" paint, and a smattering of lights and sirens ensure that everyone will see this emergency vehicle coming.
A full fire-fighting utility bed, complete with water tanks, pumps and hoses, sits ready to take on brush fires and the like, and a front-mounted water canon means that the Matchbox brush truck can tackle flames going and coming. We dig it.
Matchbox 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty by Superlift suspensions is one hot fire truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsPlug-in hybrid Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks coming in 2013
Filed under: Hybrid, Truck, Technology, Work, Ford, Diesel
Working in collaboration with Ford, Azure's plug-in hybrid technology will debut on the F-550 Super Duty chassis cab in early 2013. This agreement also allows for Azure to perform plug-in hybrid powertrain conversions on all available configurations of Ford's F-350 and F-450 trucks. Azure says that roughly two-thirds of its plug-in hybrid system will be applicable for all Super Duty configurations, with approximately one-third needing to be powertrain-specific (i.e. gasoline or diesel).
Additionally, the Azure-Ford agreement includes a so-called "ship-thru" provision that will allow Azure to sell its converted vehicles through qualified Ford Commercial Truck dealerships in North America. In 2009, Azure struck up a similar deal with Ford for the Transit Connect Electric.
Continue reading Plug-in hybrid Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks coming in 2013
Plug-in hybrid Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks coming in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsOhio judge orders Ford to pay $2B to dealers over class-action suit
Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Work, Ford
An Ohio judge ordered Ford to pay $2 billion to thousands of its dealerships to settle a 2002 lawsuit. Dealers brought the class-action lawsuit after Ford overcharged them for commercial trucks over an 11-year period.
The cash reward breaks down like this: $781 million in damages and $1.2 billion in interest will be divided up among nearly 3,000 dealerships after being overcharged on nearly 475,000 trucks.
According to Ford, the lawsuit covered 600 Series and higher trucks built between 1987 and 1997. Dealers accused Ford of failing to let them know about price concessions given to some dealers. Ford says it will appeal the decision, so the $2B likely isn't going anywhere just yet.
Ohio judge orders Ford to pay $2B to dealers over class-action suit originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord to idle first plant as a result of Japan disaster
Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford
2011 Ford F-450 Lariat - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford hasn't said much about its supply situation in the wake of the earthquake in Japan, but now the automaker has no choice but to spill the beans. The Detroit News reports that Ford will shut down its Louisville, Kentucky plant next week due to a parts shortage. The facility produces the Ford Expedition, Ford Super Duty trucks, and the Lincoln Navigator. Ford sales analyst George Pipas did not identify the part that was in short supply, though he did add that high gas prices have helped slow sales of these vehicles anyway.
Ford will also shut down its Flat Rock, Michigan plant, where the Mustang is produced, because the automaker already has a 116-day supply of the pony car. In Europe, Ford will idle the Genk, Belgium plant that produces the Mondeo, S Max and Galaxy minivan to help prevent future shortages.
Ford announced that events in Japan could further affect future production, but at this point it isn't interested in divulging the extent of its supply issues. Ford is actively searching for other parts sources wherever possible.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / AOL
[Source: The Detroit News]
Ford to idle first plant as a result of Japan disaster originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSEMA 2010: Airhead Kustoms Ford F-350 Super Duty lives life large
Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Truck, Ford
Airhead Kustoms Ford F-350 Super Duty - Click above for high-res image gallery
Airhead Kustoms is going big for the 2010 SEMA show. Calling its creation the Pit Boss, Airhead Kustoms has teamed up with Cars by Kris to transform the rugged 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty into the ultimate tow and support truck. The already lofty power numbers of the stock pickup have been given a boost thanks to the addition of a Snow Performance water/methanol injection system, Nitrous Express diesel nitrous system and an AFE Power cold air intake.
Sorting out the ride and handling is a DJM Suspension setup that uses front lowering beams, a rear flip kit and beefy shock absorbers. Hellwig anti-roll bars and Firestone Ride-Rite air helper springs further aid in keeping this Pit Boss in check.
Inside, the Super Duty interior has been upgraded with a custom headliner and leather upholstery. A Rockford Fosgate sound system and a Dashboard Devices in-dash computer provide plenty of entertainment and information. The Pit Boss was built to get a race car to the track but the interior keeps things cozy once you are there. Have a look for yourself in our high-res gallery below.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
SEMA 2010: Airhead Kustoms Ford F-350 Super Duty lives life large originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsChevy challenges Ford to HD towing contest, gets turned down
Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Work, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Diesel
Numbers like maximum horsepower, torque and tow ratings are the heart and soul of the full-size heavy duty pickup truck segment. No shocker there. But how much reliance can consumers actually put on figures provided by the manufacturer? And, keeping in mind that the average test drive doesn't include hooking up a ten-ton trailer, how might we all get a proper frame of reference when judging one massive diesel beast with another?
Such questions may soon get an answer... other than this one, decided upon just a few weeks back. It seems that General Motors has issued a pretty straightforward challenge to Ford: a towing duel up mountain grades, followed by a comparison of factory-issued exhaust brakes on the way back down. (Sorry, Ram... guess you're not invited out to play.) Seems simple enough, no?
Here are some relevant statistics: Ford's (reflashed) 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 engine punishes the tarmac with an even 400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque. That's class-leading, as GM's 6.6-liter Duramax pumps out 397 horses and 765 pound-feet. Looking at those numbers, Ford wins... right?
Not so fast, says Chevrolet Silverado Marketing Manager Tony Truelove, "Numbers on paper are fine," he said. "Let's go work these trucks in the mountains, and may the best truck win." To which Ford Trucks spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari replied, "We challenge our trucks against the competition in grueling prove-out tests continually, and the customer gives us the results - sales leadership year after year."
That's right, The Blue Oval plainly and unsurprisingly declined Chevrolet's invitation. But the show must go on, and our friends at Pickuptrucks.com promise to be on hand in their very best black-and-white-striped shirts to serve as referees for the main event. Let's get ready to rumble!
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Chevy challenges Ford to HD towing contest, gets turned down originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord Power Stroke wins Ward’s diesel shootout
Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Work, Dodge, Ford, GMC
2011 Ford Super Duty - Click above for high-res image gallery
Wards Auto has crowned its king of the 2011 diesel pickup engine crowd. The editors pitted the mills in the 2011 Dodge Ram HD, Ford Super Duty and the GMC Sierra Denali HD against each other in one epic battle royale at the Robert Bosch LLC test track, and while each of the three oil-burners did a smart job of hauling payloads and the like, Wards clearly favored one above the rest. The publication said that the powerhouse 6.7-liter turbocharged V8 in the Super Duty was the clear winner, despite being the most expensive of the three engines.
The editors chose the Ford over its competitors because of its ridiculous 800 pound-feet of torque, quietness and effortless towing, even though the 6.6-liter turbocharged Duramax V8 in the GMC produced faster 0-60 times in tests. Interestingly enough, Pickuptrucks.com skipped the Powerstroke in the Super Duty in favor of the Duramax Sierra. Given the obsessively thorough testing by Mike Levine and the rest of the Pickuptrucks.com crew, we're a little more inclined to agree with those results. Still, you know what they say about opinions and elbows.
[Source: Wards Auto]
Ford Power Stroke wins Ward's diesel shootout originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsAutoblog Podcast #189 – Flex sunsetting, NHTSA stars, saleable Sebrings and a cruise in the Cruze
Filed under: Podcasts, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln, Rumormill
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan Roth are back for Episode #188 of the Autoblog Podcast. Topics this time around include rumors of a Ford Flex/Lincoln MKT phase-out after 2013, changes to the way NHTSA crash rating scores are given, patent images that could be the next Chrysler Sebring and the Chevrolet Cruze. Your feedback is incorporated throughout this hour and twenty minute extravaganza, too. Thanks for listening, see you next time!
Autoblog Podcast #189 - Flex sunsetting, NHTSA stars, saleable Sebrings and a cruise in the Cruze
In the Autoblog Garage:
Ford F250 Super Duty
Ford Mustang GT Convertible
Hyundai Sonata SE
News:
- NHTSA updates its crash-test procedure
- Chrysler 200C patent drawings and Sebring plant staffing boost
- Ford Flex/Lincoln MKT being phased out
- Chevrolet Cruze first drive
Dan Roth, Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Shunk
Runtime: 84:26
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Feedback:
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Autoblog Podcast #189 - Flex sunsetting, NHTSA stars, saleable Sebrings and a cruise in the Cruze originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOfficial: Ford 6.7-liter PowerStroke gets 800 lb-ft as of next week, upgrades available
Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, GM, Diesel
2011 Ford Super Duty pickup - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford has made it official: beginning with next week's production, the 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbo diesel in the 2011 Ford Super Duty pickup will be upgraded to 400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque. That's a bump of 10 hp and a jump of 65 lb-ft, enough to leapfrog General Motors' 6.6-liter Duramax by 3 hp and 35 lb-ft. Or, to put more bluntly, enough to run over the Duramax on its way to the top of the heavy duty engine heap.
Further, at the end of August, the Super Duty's frame will be strengthened, upping its payload rating by 550 pounds (to 7,070), which will also increase its fifth-wheel tow rating by 1,000 pounds to 22,600.
Although not much can be done for your tow rating if you bought a Super Duty as soon as it hit the showroom, you can get the power upgrade from your suddenly feeble 635 torques. For one year starting on August 31, 2010, will be able to take their pickups into Ford dealers and get their engines tweaked to the new standard. Since there's no hardware involved, Ford says it should take just 20 minutes to get the reflash job done - learn more with the official press release after the jump.
Photos by Rex Roy / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Sources: Ford, Detroit News]
Official: Ford 6.7-liter PowerStroke gets 800 lb-ft as of next week, upgrades available originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Ford 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel to churn out 800 lb-ft of torque
Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, GM
In February, the specs on Ford's 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8 were announced: 390 horsepower and 735 pound-feet of torque. A month later, General Motors laid out the specs on its 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel: 397 hp and 765 lb-ft. According to PickupTrucks.com, the Duramax could be shoved to the corner again later this year, when a high-output Super Duty blows out the footlights with 400 hp and 800 - or more - lb-ft of twisting gumption.
According to the unknown source within the Blue Oval, Ford's new 6R140 TorqShift six-speed transmission has strong enough guts that Ford can open up the taps on that engine a bit. And give GM something to think about. If this absurdly powerful dream does come true, the behemoth motor will be seen in the second wave of 2011 Super Duty pickups that begin production in a few months. No word on whether early adopters of the 6.7-liter will get a free upgrade.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Report: Ford 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel to churn out 800 lb-ft of torque originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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