For 2001, the Super Duty F-350 DRW equipped with the 7.3L Power Stroke® turbo diesel engine will boast 11,500 GVWR _ the highest of any full-size pickup truck in the class. In addition, the 7.3L Power Stroke® turbo diesel engine gets even more horsepower and torque this year.

All Super Duty F-Series pickups will be "trailering ready" with a standard trailer towing package, and a 4-wheel Antilock Braking System (ABS) is standard on all trim levels.

Power mirrors and a Remote Keyless Entry System are now standard on XLT models. A cassette player has been added to the standard audio system on XL, and the standard audio system on XLT and Lariat now features a premium stereo radio with single CD player.

Regardless of how they want to use their truck, buyers of large pickups want power, and Ford Super Duty F-250/350 delivers in both horsepower and torque.

Three different engines are available. The standard 5.4L SOHC Triton™ V-8 is rated at 260 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. The 7.3L Power Stroke® turbo diesel V-8 produces 250 horsepower (15 more than last year) and 505 lb.-ft. of torque with the automatic transmission, and 275 horsepower and 520 lb.-ft. of torque when joined to a manual transmission (late availability). The 6.8L SOHC TritonTM V-10 puts out 310 horsepower and 425 lb.-ft. of torque.

A 5-speed manual overdrive transmission is standard with the gasoline-powered Super Duty F-Series and features wide-ratio gearing to quickly reach maximum torque. A 6-speed manual overdrive transmission is standard on Super Duty F-Series trucks equipped with Ford's Power Stroke® turbo diesel engine. The optional 4-speed automatic transmission has an automatic tow-haul feature that adjusts shift patterns for a variety of conditions, including hilly terrain, heavy tow loads and high altitude driving. It also has an overdrive control switch on the shift lever that can lock out the overdrive fourth gear when additional torque is needed for third-gear engine braking on downgrades.

Power takeoff (PTO) provisions are important to buyers in this segment because they often need to use their truck's power to run auxiliary equipment. Super Duty F-250 and F-350's 5-speed manual transmission has a standard left- and right-side PTO. A left-side PTO is standard on the 6-speed manual transmission and optional on the 4-speed automatic.

Between 85 and 90 percent of Super Duty F-Series customers use their truck for towing, and they will appreciate how capable these trucks are. When properly equipped, the maximum Class IV trailer tow weight is 10,000 lbs. With a fifth-wheel application, the maximum increases to 14,500 lbs. All Super Duty F-Series pickups are "trailering ready" this year with the Trailer Package as standard equipment.

Several options are available to enhance Super Duty F-250 and F-350 pickup performance and/or meet specific job or recreational requirements. Dual-rear-wheel models (DRW) are available in 4x2 or 4x4 configurations. They increase rear traction, improve towing stability and increase rear axle weight ratings. The Heavy Service Suspension Package adds heavier front springs, auxiliary rear springs and a steering damper.

Other optional packages include Snowplow, Camper and Maximum Front GVWR.

Helping Out on the Job

The 2001 Super Duty F-250 and F-350 Pickups have a number of thoughtful design features that increase their utility. Two boards can be placed across the pickup box in special depressions to accommodate flat loading of 4x8 plywood sheets and to create a separate cargo space under the plywood. Tie-down hooks are located in each corner of the box to help secure cargo.

The rear step bumper provides easier access to the cargo area. The tailgate can be removed for special loading applications, and on XLT and Lariat it can be locked.

A Comfortable Work Environment

People who spend their working hours in a truck cab will appreciate the surprising level of comfort on the Super Duty F-250 and F-350. Available electronic speed control helps reduce driver foot and leg fatigue, and the available tilt steering wheel also enhances comfort and allows easy entry and exit.

The available six-way power driver's seat has a fingertip seat adjustment with controls on the outboard side of the seat cushion. Lariat models are available with heated front seats, easy to appreciate on a cold winter morning.

Interval windshield wipers are standard on all models and the SuperCab has flip-out quarter glass. All models have dual instrument panel-mounted cup holders with center ashtray and trash bag hook.

The Super Duty F-250 and F-350 pickups are manufactured at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Ky.

A Driver and Front Passenger Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is now standard on all models. Child-safety seat tether anchors will be standard on all seats later in the model year. Horsepower and torque ratings have increased on the 7.3L Power Stroke® turbo diesel V-8 engine. For 2001, the XLT and Lariat series feature standard telescoping trailer tow mirrors with power glass and AM/FM stereo/cassette/single CD player.

Three additional wheelbase configurations are available for 2001:

- 108-inch cab-to-axle (CA) on Regular Cab Super Duty F-450 and F-550

- 84-inch CA on Crew Cab F-450 and F-550

- 84-inch CA on Regular Cab 19K F-550

A Choice of Frames for Body Builder Adaptations

Chassis cab customers have a lot riding on their trucks (literally), and Super Duty Chassis Cabs offer two kinds of frames to meet various needs. A "box delete" option available on F-350-550 makes the wider pickup frame available as a chassis cab.

The pickup box-delete frame rails are 38 inches apart, four inches wider than the SAE Chassis Cab frame size. This allows customers to mount their pickup-based bodies on the same-sized frame. The Chassis Cab frame rails have their own flexibility advantage. A through-the-side rail fuel filler opening helps body builders make modifications and add bodies more efficiently.

Chassis Cab customers are offered three models (F-350, F-450, F-550), Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab, 4x2 and 4x4 drive systems, seven different wheelbase lengths, and single or dual rear wheels.

Power to the Workers

Super Duty F-350, F-450 and F-550 Chassis Cabs have the powertrains to suit the diverse needs of commercial and governmental fleets. Three different engines are available. The standard 5.4L SOHC Triton™ V-8 is rated at 260 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque.

The 7.3L Power Stroke® turbo diesel V-8 produces 250 horsepower (15 more than last year) and 505 lb.-ft. of torque with the automatic transmission, and 275 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque when joined to a manual transmission (late availability). The 6.8L SOHC Triton™ V-10 puts out 310 horsepower and

425 lb.-ft. or torque.

A 5-speed manual overdrive transmission is standard and features wide ratio gearing to quickly reach maximum torque. A 6-speed manual overdrive transmission is standard with the diesel engine. The optional 4-speed automatic transmission has an overdrive control switch on the shift lever that can lock out the overdrive fourth gear when additional torque is needed for third-gear engine braking on downgrades.

The Super Duty F-350, F-450 and F-550's 5-speed manual transmission has standard left- and right-side power takeoff (PTO) provisions. A left-side PTO is standard on the 6-speed manual transmission and optional on the 4-speed automatic.

The Super Duty's standard 40-gallon aft-axle fuel tank has an auxiliary fuel tap and provides excellent cruising range. A 19-gallon mid-ship fuel tank is available on dual rear-wheel models and included with 6.8L bi-fuel propane V-10 engine models.

Super Duty F-350, F-450 and F-550 Chassis Cabs offer several optional packages for heavy duty and special applications. The Heavy Service Suspension Package (F-350 Chassis Cab) is recommended for vehicles that will permanently use aftermarket equipment that will increase loads to the front axle, such as heavy-duty winches and brush guards. The package includes:

- Heavy service front springs (single-rear wheel models)

- Auxiliary rear springs

- Steering damper

A Snowplow Package and Maximum Front GAWR Package also are available.

The Super Duty F-350-550 is manufactured in Louisville, Ky., and in Cuautitlan, Mexico, near Mexico City.

Commercial Truck sales and marketing director

New for 2001

A host of new available features and offerings are available to commercial truck customers for the 2001 model year. Some of these include:

- Idle speed control

- Cruise control

- Vertical exhaust

- Air-ride suspension

- Two-speed rear axle

- 10,000/23,000 axle combination

- Available 260 horsepower with the Cummins® 5.9L ISB engine (December availability)

The Super Duty F-650 and F-750 offer commercial truck customers one of the most complete variety of configurations that allow them to adapt and customize the trucks to fit their exact needs. There are three different diesel engines available (5.9L Cummins® ISB, a 7.2L Caterpillar 3126B and Ford's 7.3L Power Stroke®), three different factory-built cab styles (Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab), and two trim levels (XL and XLT). In addition, Super Duty F-650 offers 24,500 and 26,000-lb. GVWR models, while Super Duty F-750 offers standard 30,000-lb. GVWR and optional 33,000-lb. GVWR models. Numerous wheelbases on each model also are available.

Performance Is a Priority

The Super Duty F-650 and F-750 offer the commercial truck buyer exceptional powertrain choices and configurations that let them build the truck they need, whatever job they have in mind.

Three outstanding diesel engines are available with a wide choice of transmissions. Both the Caterpillar 3126B and Cummins® 5.9L ISB are available with Allison AT545, 2000 Series or MD automatic transmissions. Manual transmissions on these two engines can be ordered with 5-, 6- or 7-speeds. Horsepower ratings up to 260 with 660 lb.-ft. of torque at 2300 rpm are available with the Cummins® 5.9L diesel engine.

The 7.3L Ford Power Stroke® turbo diesel can be coupled with a 4-speed Allison automatic transmission, or a 5-speed, 6-speed or 7-speed manual. The engine is rated at 210 horsepower and 520 lb.-ft. of torque at 1500 rpm.

The versatility of Super Duty F-650 and F-750 also is reflected in the wide range of standard and optional axles. Front axle ratings range from 9000 lbs. to 12,000 lbs., with rear axle ratings ranging from 17,500 lbs. to 23,000 lbs. Rear axle ratios range from 3.91 to 6.83. The 3.91 ratio axle is a recent addition, and provides a higher top speed, better fuel economy and excellent overall performance, especially for trucks logging a lot of miles

on the open road.

Commercial truck buyers can choose from three different body frames available on Ford's Super Duty F-650 and F-750. The 26,000-lb. GVWR F-650 and 30,000-lb. GVWR F-750 have a standard 8.5-inch reinforced frame with 18-inch section modules. The frame has a 50,000 psi tensile strength, with a 900,000 inch-lb. resisting bending movement (RBM). The 33,000-lb. GVWR F-750 has a standard 9.5-inch frame with 15.9-inch section modules. The tensile strength is 110,000 psi and the RBM is 1,749,000 inch-lb.

The 33,000-lb. GVWR F-750, with all wheelbases (except the 230-inch), has an available reinforced 9.5-inch frame option with 28.7-inch section modules. This frame is designed especially for crane and boom applications.

Rugged, But Comfortable

As tough as the F-650 and F-750 are, they also are comfortable _ an important consideration for truck drivers who spend so much time in their vehicles. The available National® Hi-Back Easy-Aire driver's seat incorporates an air-activated suspension system to help eliminate the jolts and bounces of the truck cab.

Available manual air conditioning provides high-efficiency cooling for comfort in warm weather. Solar-tinted glass helps protect upholstery and trim from ultraviolet light that can cause fading.

Wide front doors allow easy access behind the seats on Regular Cab models. SuperCab models feature four doors, a medium-duty industry exclusive. Chrome exterior grab handles mean easy access to the cab while interior assist handles are mounted on the passenger A-pillar for easier entry and exit. Power door locks let the driver easily lock and unlock both doors from the driver's seat, and the power windows have a one-touch-down feature. Stainless dual western-style mirrors have 102-inch arms to improve the rear view with wide loads.

Ford's Super Duty F-650 and F-750 trucks are built in Cuautitlan, Mexico, near Mexico City.