2008 Ford F-450 Chassis Review (continued)
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Walkaround

Already the biggest pickup in town, the 2008 Ford Super Duty appears even more imposing because of a larger grille, deeper bumper, and stacked lamps with the headlights on the bottom. Dimensions are easily given in yards rather than inches. The sheer vastness of the sheetmetal may overwhelm your car wash guy. The color of the side vent gives away if it is gasoline or diesel-powered.

Given its fender flares and dark snout, the FX4 is the most aggressive trim style, though no Super Duty would be mistaken for anything less than a full-size pickup even with nothing scalable within sight. New towing mirrors include signal repeaters that won't distract the driver; they telescope and fold (manual or powered), and include two large reflective elements for safe rear vision with the widest street-legal trailers.

An optional tailgate step pops a 16.7 x 4.5-inch step with a half-ton load rating out of the tailgate and raises a grab handle rated at 300 pounds to make the climb safer. It also includes an assist so the very heavy tailgate feels less heavy. The handle makes bed access easier but may need to be lowered again to slide a load in, and removing the gate, as is often the case with some trailers, may become a two-person chore.

Interior Features

With three-and-a-half feet of headroom and just shy of six feet of shoulder room, the Ford Super Duty cab is massive. Materials are job appropriate: no carpet mats for commercial or trail duty, and appear well assembled. The King Ranch version brings a little Lincoln to a pickup while the base model could be cleaned out with a bucket of warm water. On upper-end models, the gear-cog-like chrome surrounds for vents and gauges can create some unwelcome reflections, and the number of textures and colors (we counted up to eight) may be too much for design minimalists.

The interior has been restyled for 2008. The dash is now segmented in three smaller parts for a more manageable look. A new instrument pod provides engine and road speed through larger dials with four smaller gauges lined up between; diesel models include a boost gauge and automatics get fluid temperature. The center stack houses a pair of large vents, radio and navigation top center where easily viewed, climate control, and most switchgear. The far side houses the passenger airbag and a sizable glovebox; where so equipped, the center console is similarly large and the huge door pockets could hold the contents of a small tool chest and will soon require their own payload rating.

The climb in is less than you think because the door opening curls under to the floor and assist handles are well-placed. Side steps are available. We noted a marked reduction in wind/cab noise around the center pillar in the SuperCab, and the better sealing means that big front door requires a solid yank to close with all windows up. The new diesel is so quiet you won't hear any of it at cruising speeds and road noise is reasonably controlled since the nearest wheel is not right under your feet.

Seats are well-placed and offer a superb view out, and in captain's chair versions offer plenty of support and adjustability for the diesel's 600-plus-mile range (unloaded), and the higher-line tilt wheel, memory system and adjustable pedals allow great flexibility for his-and-hers operations. Front bench seat riders may find the deep dash compromises their knee and foot room, especially if the driver needs the seat forward.

Adults can fit in the rear of the SuperCab but if you intend to make a habit of carrying those larger-than-average people for any significant length or time, go for the Crew Cab.

Primary controls are all easy to find and use, with few tiny buttons to complicate driving with gloves. The reverse parking sensor, of course, can be defeated for hooking up a trailer. The short shifter for the automatic is less effort but more precise than before. The headlights can be turned off for good neighborly night-time entries to campgrounds or drive-ins.

The ventilation system is capable of cooling or heating the cavernous volume and keeping forward windows and mirrors clear, and seat heaters are very effective; a supplemental cab heater is available for diesel models.

The navigation system is fairly intuitive and will be familiar to Ford family drivers.

Ford's Tow Command integrated trailer brake system is easy to set up and provides better, smoother trailer braking control than any aftermarket controller. However, it may not be compatible with all trailer disc-brake systems, and you can not modify the wiring harness so your fifth-wheel pigtail (or extension) must reach to the rear bumper.