2009 Ford F-150 Preview

Super Bowl-winning quarterback Peyton Manning is famous for changing the play once his team is already on the line of scrimmage. By adapting to the defense, Manning is able to turn a likely loser into a winning play. Ford is attempting to emulate Manning with the 2009 F-150 pickup. The company hopes to slip out of a desperate situation, much in the same manner as Peyton’s brother, Eli, did to win the 2008 Super Bowl. The price of gas more than doubled while Ford was designing the 2009 F-150. Then, just after the truck was introduced to the press, fuel prices plummeted close to 2007 levels.  In press material written early in 2008, Ford said the 2009 F-150 was going to have “game-changing features.” Instead, the game itself changed.

As these words are written, the ball has just been snapped. The play will continue to evolve into mid-2009 and even 2010 as Ford seeks to further improve the F-150’s fuel mileage and lower its cost. Ford says some changes will include an even lighter-weight frame: Less weight translates directly into better mileage. The 2009 frame was already significantly stronger and about 100 pounds lighter than its 2008 counterpart, thanks to higher-strength steel and new laser-edge welds that replace traditional spot welds. Look for the company to remove even more weight from the frame, especially for lighter-duty models.

Back in the huddle, Ford said the F-150 would offer three V-8 engines. These would produce an average of a bit more than one mile per gallon better than those offered in 2008 models. The trio includes the 5.4-liter V-8, a new-to-the-F-150 three-valve-per-cylinder 4.6-liter V-8, and the familiar two-valve-per-cylinder 4.6-liter V-8. All three, along with the V-10 that’s available in the Super Duty F-Series, are of the same basic design. It was once called “modular.” The same factories that build 4.6-liter V-8s could produce 4.0- or 3.5-liter V-6s that could be relatively easily bolted into the F-150. But that's for next season. The new more-fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmission to be a big star despite the lower cost of the veteran four-speed automatic.

Anticipated for the 2010 model year is a clean-technology diesel engine. Employing the now-mandated ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, clean-tech diesels make none of the stink and smoke of old-style diesels, while getting better fuel mileage than gasoline-fed engines. 

Something that won’t change during the scramble is the 2009 F-150’s aggressive exterior and three-bar front grille, which was inspired by the 2008 Ford F-Series Super Duty. Adding to the tough-guy image are two large “nostrils” and a domed hood. New jeweled headlamps make the F-150 look like a rich tough guy.

A redesigned rear suspension features longer leaf springs and outboard-mounted shock absorbers. These are designed to produce both better ride during normal driving and enhanced control in emergency maneuvers. For those who tow trailers, the new integrated brake controller is a real plus. Previously, trailers of significant size required the addition of an aftermarket brake controller to operate the trailer’s brakes. Installers often placed the brake controller where it would whack the driver’s right shin. Regular trailer towers will appreciate the optional rearview camera, which not only helps the driver line up the truck’s ball with the trailer tongue, but also allows him to double-check that everything is hooked up before pulling off. The camera would more than pay for itself if it prevents you from driving off with the trailer foot down—an expensive and embarrassing mistake.