With the hope that someone at Ford reads this forum, I want to make some suggestions for the new Super Duties, and I hope that some of you will add your input as well.

Increased fuel capacity: I see that some of the new F-150's can be equipped with a 36 gallon fuel tank - definately a step in the right direction. It only makes sense then that the Super Duty trucks, some of which can tow over 20k pounds, should hold more than 38 gallons of fuel. I would like to see something like a 50 to 60 gallon tank available.

5th wheel wiring in the bed: Ford obviously knows that most Super Duty owners tow, yet they leave it to the aftermarked installers to hack into the factory wiring loom to install a 7-pin plug for a 5th wheel. I would like to see them offer a dealer opional 5th wheel plug that mounts to a dedicated point in the bed and then simply plugs into a factory installed plug in the wiring harness...just like my 1974 F-250 Ranger XLT Camper Special had for slide in camper use. Another thing that truck had that I wish the new ones did was a built in locking tool box on the passenger side of the bed just behind the cab. It was a great place to put all the stuff that won't fit behind the seat now because of the stereo speakers.

Some means of manually selecting each gear: I looked at a new F-150 and saw that the shift positions are D 3 2 1, so you can only manually shift from 6th gear straight down to 3rd. Maybe Ford thinks that the average F-150 owner can't figure out what gear to use, but I think most Super Duty owners can. Chevy and Dodge set the standard here with their shift lever mounted switches that let you choose any gear, and I think Ford should do the same.

Tow Boss type package for SRW trucks: There are many new Toyhauler trailers running around out there that weigh 16k to 18k pounds loaded, but the pin weight is only about 2,500 pounds. These trailers are easily towed by SRW trucks, but their loaded weight puts the GCW above 23k pounds and technically requires the use of an F-350 DRW Tow Boss or F-450. How about leaving the F-250's tow rating as is, but increasing the tow rating of an F-350 SRW to around 25k pounds or so.

Larger tires: Why can't these truck have an option for tires at least 305 mm wide, or something like a LT315/65-18. I live and play in the desert and the current size tires just don't cut in in the sand when towing.

Exhaust brake: Dodge offers a factory installed exhaust brake on their trucks, so I hope Ford has thought to include one on their new diesel.

Speaking of engines: I hope the new 6.2l Boss engine that I have been reading about is the replacement for the 5.4l, not the V-10. I would like to see either a larger displacement version of the 6.2l engine in the 7.0 to 7.5l range, or at least tweek the V-10 for a little more power and continue to offer it to those of us who are happy with out current V-10's.

Rear A/C ducting: Why is it that every run of the mill SUV and minivan has rear A/C ducts with separate controls for the 2nd and 3rd row passengers, yet a $50k to $60k truck with a cab almost as large does not? On the same subject, why can't we get the option of heated rear seats so the whole family will be comfortable?

 

i agree on the some the towing upgrades but i fully think that within the next 5 years you will see ford jump on the ball "taking away" business from most aftermarket options. with the new ram they have bed boxes and dual chrome tips among other things. I think ford will keep up no doubt but who knows really what they have up there sleeves. i'm waiting to hear it anounced that ford will partner with people like b&w for 5th wheel hitches and no telling what else just like they did with cabelas and harley davidson on options. that is one place where chevy and dodge have never been.

 

You're a bit late for 2010. They are just about done. They go into production in July, 2009, which is only nine months away. Changes like those take at least a year to tool up for production.

 

I agree completely with everything you said. In addition, I would like to have the ability to get the factory overhead DVD system AND the power moonroof. I really don't like the thought of hacking into my roof to add an aftermarket DVD. You can get it in the Chevy crew cab and the Dodge Mega Cab. I also never really understood why they don't make a larger factory fuel tank. Obviously, it can be done or Transfer Flow and Titan wouldn't make retrofit tanks in larger capacities.

I wonder though, if Ford will keep the V10 when they bring out the 6.2. It reportedly has 400+ HP and 400+ lb.ft/tq. I'm thinking that to simplify production and make things more cost-efficient, they may go with the 6.2 as standard and punch it out to a 7.4 or so as an option. It's only a guess, but I see them reserving the V10 for the motorhome chassis and other commercial apps.

Either way it's a win-win situation for the consumer. Hopefully, by the time the Scorpion Diesel makes its way out in 2010 or 2011, Ford will have tested it enough to get most of the kinks out. I think that they did their homework better with the 6.4 than the 6.0 and it appears to have fewer problems than the 6.0 did.

Like Big Steve said, I look for Ford to go after the aftermarket in the next five or so years. They were the first with the Integrated Brake Controller. GM has one now but Dodge still doesn't. The Tailgate Step is another big one but the list goes on.

I love my truck and it has never let me down but as with anything, there's always room for improvement. I also hope someone from Ford reads this because you bring out some really good points.

 

I rather doubt than anyone high enough up in Ford to make those decisions reads these forums. However, I know that a lot of Ford employees read the Blue Oval forums- Blue Oval Forums (Ford Forums, Ford Forum, Ford Owners, Ford Employee Forums, Ford News, Ford Employees, Ford Sales Figures, Ford Flex Forum, Ford Ford Sync Forum, Ford Edge Forum, Ford Fiesta Forum)

So you may want to register there and make a similar post. It's a free site.

You have some good suggestions.

 

Ohhh I have suggestions!!!

1. E-locker like the new F-150 would be awesome. Traction is king!

2. The bobcat 500hp and 700pnd ft with E85 direct injection.

3. 6 speed torque shift tranny, with 700 pnd ft and a turbo? a highway gear would do wonders for mileage

4. Factory winch optional on Fx4 package.

5. Heated and cooled leather seats how spoiled can we be?

6. I really can't think of anything else that can make the super duty any better....

 

i can an ALMIGHTY 7.3 back in there

 

I thought that the diesel F250's, and F350's had a built in exhaust brake. I know the ones we have on the ranch do but can't remember if dad put those in or not. Or maybe this thread is for the gas motor sorry if that is the case.

 

If the Bobcat is produced and is producing the power they say it does no one will remember what a 7.3 was...


500 hp and 700pnd ft from the factory for $1,100 option? Turbo charged, so it should be tuner friendly...

 

I really agree with adding wiring in the bed for fivers and goosenecks as part of the tow package, at least make it part of the harness and bundle it up to be cut out by the owner if they don't want to cut the hole in the bed. I don't think that's unreasonable, especially with all the extra wiring (clearance lights for example) that comes on every truck.

But really, most of the aftermarket parts are a lot better than what Ford would put in. Things like winches, high end sound/ entertainment systems, that stuff is better when bought on the aftermarket. Ford would put in parts that people would replace with bigger/ better stuff anyways, and there wouldn't be nearly the selection or customization you can buy outside Ford.

 

[quote=watz;6781843]If the Bobcat is produced and is producing the power they say it does no one will remember what a 7.3 was...
quote]
thats like forgetting the alamo! you can rest assure that the 7.3 will always be the pride and joy of the superduty

and bobcat? i thought it was the scorpion or something... the bobcat sounds like a 5ft by 3ft toy not a powerhouse

 

how about an optional on-board air compressor for potential airbag suspension, with a hose for tire inflation, maybe strong enough for air powered tools for the jobsite? Could be a cool addition, but may draw too much power. May have to be in the place of that cool tool box idea behind the passenger side cab under the box.

Also, an on-board installed inverter with AC outlets in the cab and the box. Good for job site and camp site.

 

I completly agree on the fifth wheel wiring harness. Every superduty I have owned either came with one (used truck) or I put on it. I do not pull fifth wheel, so I would also like to see an option for a gooseneck ball. I had a truck with fifthwheel rails and used the gooseneck ball fixture with those and it really sucked. Just the turnover or popup ball would be nice option.

LARGER fuel tank. My 06 V10 truck has a teeny tiny tank, about the size of my wifes car. It only hold enough gas to drive around the county. I cant even leave the state without stopping for a fill. Some engineer really messed up, putting that engine and tank combination in a 3/4 ton truck.

Tailgate that wont bow. Ford tailgates are really weak in this area.

I cant really think of anything else, unless they find a way to put a 7.3 back in them as well.

 

[QUOTE=bigsteve1969;6781919]Scorpion is the diesel. The bobcat is a direct injection ethanol engine making way, way more power for 1/5th the cost of diesel.

Here is some easy reading:

Ethanol Injection: Next-Gen Ford Ethanol Injection Engine, Codenamed Bobcat, Eyeballing Diesel Market

 

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