Went to the stealership today to try out a 08 XLT extended cab f-350. Very nice looking truck.. love the interior super quiet super smooth. Not very impressed with the "350" Hp? Didnt feel it. Didnt see any use for that Traction Control button. I turned it off no different. Maybe you can tell the dual turbos are there when ya have a load

 

What I noticed, on my test drive, was that the power was better out of the hole. Other diesels I've driven took a little while before they spooled up, like 50-100' from a stop.


I agree about the smooth, quiet power. I also did a full brake press from 55 mph and became impressed with the brakes and the ABS in a hurry.

 

yea the transmission shifts are almost seamless. i couldn't tell it went through how many ever gears it had. Its quick for a stock truck though but I guess I just had unrealistic expectations for something that will last half a million miles.

I regret not really testing* the brakes. Very nice truck. Hopefully Inter-trash-enal has got it right again! lol love my 444 but shes getting tired

 

Not to rain on anyone's parade here, but a smooth shift from one gear to the next is not the best calibration for a transmission to last as long as possible.

There is a happy medium for line pressure and corresponding shift firmness, but it seems to me that ford is still building their trannies for the test drive and not for the rest of their service life. A long smooth shift between gears causes more wear and tear.