Straightline - 2010.5 F-150 diesel mules spotted

2010.5 F-150 diesel mules spotted

Mike Levine over at PickupTruck.com has some images of test mules of the upcoming F-150 4.4L diesel up on his site. As you can see in the link, there are a couple of test trucks, one of which uses a 2010 front end clip. Straightline posted about this engine not too long ago (Ford's 4.4 diesel news leaked).

How do we know it's diesel? Check out the dual exhaust, which is a Powerstroke diesel trademark.

Also note that it has the 7-lug wheels, which currently come only with the HD F-150, which has a GVW of 8200 pounds. So I would expect big payloads and big towing as well. One more thing to note is that this HD package is shown on the 4-door Super Crew—which is not currently available in that body configuration.

Mike and I were chatting about this truck, and his feeling is that once it debuts, it could well put a hurting on the F-250 Super Duty. Sure, when push-comes-to-shove the Super Duty will likely win out for the really heavy chores. However, I bet for most customers that this F-150 diesel will be the better choice, as it has a far more up-to-date cab and chassis than the older Super Duty.

For those who still prefer the Super Duty, but like this engine, it will be available. The question is on which models? Mike seems to think it might be limited to the lighter-duty F-250, and he could be right, as it might be a bit small for F-350 or larger type of work.

Full story here.

Posted by Bob Apr 30, 2008 4:00 am

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Categories: Ford | Diesels | Trucks

Comments

roar02ram - Apr 30, 2008 6:07 am (#1 Total: 3)

Two observations-
1) The new clip looks better on that XLT than it does on the higher trims that have been in most of the photos to date
2) Does anyone remember the F-250 Light-duty that came out with the 1997 redesign? It amounted to a heavy-duty payload package on the standard F-150 and as a stopgap till Ford could roll out the Super Duty line. It was eventually phased out.

I wonder how Ford will designate this - just as the standard payload package with the diesel engine or as an actual separate model (F-150 HD or F-250 vs F-250 Super Duty) or just as a payload package with no name...Anyone got Jim Farley's number?

rsholland - Apr 30, 2008 6:16 am (#2 Total: 3)

Ellicott City MD United States of America

You're both right and wrong about the LD F-250. Yes, the "F-250" name was phased out, only to resurface as a HD payload package on the last-generation F-150. All they did was change the badging, as the vehicles were identical.

It still lives on on the current F-150 as a HD payload package, and I would assume will continue on the 2010 model as well.

400idriver - Apr 30, 2008 6:22 am (#3 Total: 3)

Thanks, Jim