The 2009 Ford F150 included an expanded and more efficient interior, a three-bar front grille, and a lighter truck overall due to stronger, lighter metals being implemented in the chassis—increasing fuel economy, safety, and allowed it to pull and carry even more weight than before. The 2009 F150 also included front-seat side impact airbags, AdvanceTrac RSC (Roll Stability Control), and Ford’s Safety Canopy System to improve head protection during side impacts.

In paint color, the 2009 Ford F150 was available in amber gold metallic, sterling gray metallic, basic black, blue flame metallic, bright red, brilliant silver metallic, dark blue pearl metallic, oxford white, and razor red.

The 4.2 L engine is not available for 2009, and the promised 4.4 L diesel V8 has been delayed. A 4.6 L 2-valve 248 hp V8 engine with 294 ft lbs of torque @ 4000 rpm was standard with all rear-wheel drive XL, STX, XL SuperCab, XLT, STX SuperCab, and XL SuperCrew 2009 Ford F150 pickups. The standard engine with all rear-wheel drive XLT SuperCab and XLT SuperCrew Ford F150 pickups was a 4.6 L 3-valve 292 hp V8 engine with 320 ft lbs of torque @ 4000 rpm. All rear-wheel drive Lariat pickups included a 5.4 L 300 3-valve 300 hp V8 engine with 294 ft lbs of torque @ 3750 rpm. A 6-speed automatic overdrive transmission was standard with all rear-wheel drive XLT SuperCab, XLT SuperCrew, and Lariat F150s and an option for most of the other models. A 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission was available in all other rear-wheel drive 2009 Ford F150s.

For four wheel drive models, the 4.6 L 2-valve V8 engine was standard for all XL, XL SuperCab, STX, STX SuperCab and XLT pickups. The 4.6 L 3-valve 292 hp engine was standard with all four-wheel drive XLT SuperCab, XLT SuperCrew, and the XLT 2009 Ford F150 models with an 8-ft bed. The standard engine included with all four-wheel drive FX4, Lariat pickups was the 5.4 L 3-valve 300 hp V8 engine.

A 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission was standard with all STX SuperCab, XLT, XL and STX pickups, while a 6-speed automatic overdrive transmission was standard in all other four-wheel drive 2009 Ford F150 pickups.