Super Duty Pros: Everything Owners LOVE About the Ford Super Duty

Owners have complaints, too, but these Super Duty Pros far outweigh any Cons. But what do you think? Did we miss anything?

The current Ford Super Duty lineup offers four engine options, three cab configurations, five different trim levels, and several different chassis. Which is a lot to cover. So we reached out to owners asking for their lists of Super Duty Pros and Super Duty Cons to learn more about what Ford’s getting right and where Ford could improve

The resulting article covered the Super Duty’s 5 Best & Worst Features. However, so many terrific answers flooded in that we couldn’t cover everything in that first article, so we’re expanding the series into two related posts.

This article is going to cover the fan favorites — aka Super Duty Pros aka Everything Owners LOVE About the Ford Super Duty. But feel free to also head over here to read Super Duty Cons: Everything Owners HATE About the Ford Super Duty. And if you feel you could add to this story, make sure to head over here to THIS discussion thread right here on Ford Truck Enthusiasts!

Also, to keep things organized, we lightly edited some of the responses for grammar and clarity, then divided all of these  Super Duty Pros into categories, which also helps show off something that’s particularly popular (or spectacularly unpopular).

Let’s dive in —

Engine & Mechanical

Modern Super Duty owners love a lot of things about their pickup trucks, but the powertrain options might be highest on everyone’s list. With two gas motors — a 6.8L V8 & a 7.3L V8 — and two 6.7L diesel options, Super Duty trucks are surprisingly fast for their size and are set up to work and tow. Here’s what the owners said —

• The power delivery is more instant and smoother than my previous trucks
• The sounds of the 7.3 Godzilla, even with the factory exhaust
• 1050 lb-ft torque [on the standard output 6.7L PowerStroke)
• Love the 7.3L pushrod motor
• 7.3L gas motor is a great HD engine
• Drives well, Plenty of (gas engine) power, with both the 6.8L and 7.3L engines
• Decent Power, you always want more.
• Powerstroke engineering (low-profile steel pistons, pushrod design, timing gears, valve train)
• Factory power/torque; no need to modify
• 9th injector in DPF
• Long production years with/ interchangeable engine parts
• The 10-speed is much improved over the prior 6-speed, especially when towing through the mountains
• 10-speed transmission.
• 48-gallon tank is great when towing a heavy camper

Surprisingly, no one mentioned towing, although that’s certainly a key reason to select a Super Duty over a half-ton pickup like the F-150. Perhaps the owners found that category too obvious. They did, however, like the “integrated trailer TPMS” (tire pressure monitoring system).

Ride Quality

If you compare the ride quality of a Super Duty to a luxury sedan, you probably won’t be impressed. But in the world of truck ownership, especially in the three-quarter and one-ton spaces, the Super Duty owners appreciate the improved ride quality —

• Ride actually is pretty good for an empty 3/4 ton; really good loaded down
• T truck rides more like a car than a truck compared to all my previous trucks (to me anyway)
• Ride comfort has come a long way.

Fuel Economy

No one’s comparing a Super Duty to a Toyota Prius when it comes to fuel economy. Still, for heavy, full-sized trucks with powerful motors, the Super Duty does well for trucks in this class —

• Fuel economy – best 26 mpg
• Empty MPG is a plus
• The fuel economy when highway driving, which is between 9L & 10L per 100km (Canadian) or 23.5 mpg/26 mpg (US gallon), is phenomenal for such a big truck and better than my 2014 MY F-150 EcoBoost SuperCab
• Better fuel economy than my previous F-250s
• Fuel economy.

Body & Exterior

Super Duty owners also tend to appreciate the Super Duty’s exterior design elements, both from an aesthetic and practical perspective —

• Large towing mirrors, even though we have good camera views
• Have always owned Super Cab models in the F-150, so the extra room in the Crew Cab is nice when taking passengers
• The way the doors shut very solidly, but also very quietly. Like a car more than a truck, really
• Bed and tailgate steps
• Aluminum body
• Design – both exterior & interior
• The bed steps. I was actually on the fence about them at first. Now I think they’re great. They sure make it easy and convenient to grab things from the front of the bed or wash the back window. All without having to step up on the 20-inch tires or get into the bed. — 5MeanFords

Interior & Ammenities

Last, but perhaps second most popular, was how Super Duty owners reacted to technology, modern amenities, and various new features. To be clear, as you can see in the other version of this article, this one is a bit of a double-edged sword. But Ford seems to be impressing its customers with its newer, quieter, and more advanced interior features and interior options —

• Adaptive cruise
• Interior comfort
• Quiet cabin.
• How quiet the interior is, even at highway speeds
• HUD [Head Up Display], I am tall, and it’s a welcome addition
• HUD is excellent (but is frustrating to see with polarized sunglasses)
• The safety features
• The technology features
• The numerous cameras and the birdseye view from them (though I am still old school and use my mirrors and windows more than the cameras)
• Being able to use the cameras while in motion
• Multiple driving modes
• Large instrument cluster
• Large infotainment screen
• Infotainment system is worlds better than the one in my previous truck (RAM 1500 Longhorn)
• Leather seats
• I really like the fold-flat seats, the newer massage system (much improved and runs longer !!!).
• My biggest pro is the interior, especially the seats. The comfort is so much better than what I had in my 23′ Sierra HD
• Comfortable driving position, with most things laid out well for the driver
• Fold up seats (crew cab) with the open, flat floor (big selling point over the GM)
• Design – both exterior & interior
• Actual buttons on the dash
• Interior/exterior styling.

I like having an actual key; solved the manual issue by downloading a copy to my laptop; I’ve seen people complain about the bed/bumper steps, but I love them It’s great having a locking tailgate, but I had to remove one of my “tie down points” to install the soft open shock – tmlhkyfn

Photos: Michael S. Palmer & Ford Motor Company

Michael S. Palmer

Michael S. Palmer began his career assisting and developing content for Academy Award-winning and studio-based film and television producers. He has been a professional writer since 2008, when he joined the Writers Guild of America West (WGAw). As a journalist and Content Editor/Manager, he has covered numerous emerging imaging, theatrical exhibition, home entertainment, and automotive technologies. He currently spends his days creating original content at the Internet Brands Automotive Group for some of the world's largest online automotive communities, including Ford Truck Enthusiasts, CorvetteForum, ClubLexus, AudiWorld, and LS1Tech. He recently teamed with Chevrolet Performance, Holley, Magnaflow, Eaton, Wilwood, Michelin, Chemical Guys, and Summit Racing to build his first project car. Installing an LS3 E-ROD Connect & Cruise system into a 1992 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon made his eight-passenger wagon faster than a C5 Corvette to 60mph and 50 state emissions legal. His wife and daughter are very patient.