A few facts worth noting -

Ninety-three percent of that new body is made from a sort of aluminum alloy not unlike what the US military uses in its M2 Bradley fighting vehicles and Humvees, and it accounts for up to 70 percent of the F-150's 700-pound weight reduction.

Ninety-three percent of that new body is made from a sort of aluminum alloy not unlike what the US military uses in its M2 Bradley fighting vehicles and Humvees, and it accounts for up to 70 percent of the F-150's 700-pound weight reduction. As a side benefit, the aluminum body should prove more resistant to dents and dings. Built Ford tough, indeed.


If you're wondering where the other 30 percent of that 700-pound weight loss went, 8.5 percent (60 pounds) came from the increased use of high-strength steel (up from 23 percent to 77 percent) in its ladder-box frame. Ford claims this steel is comparable to some of the heavy duty pickups used by its competitors, with a PSI rating of 70,000.


The other big change is the addition of a new 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. The new engine features auto start-stop, a first in the F-150. The system will automatically disengage if the truck is towing or set to four-wheel drive, so that it doesn't leave a driver flat-footed when power is really needed. It can also be manually defeated.


Buyers will have the choice of a new, naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 as standard, while the 2.7 will slot in above it. The 5.0-liter V8 remains, while the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 has finally knocked off Ford's bad-boy 6.2-liter V8, which will no longer be offered on the F-150.

Ford hasn't published performance or fuel economy figures on any of it's new engines, but suffice it to say, the new 2.7-liter should be an adequate match for the mid-level V8s of Ram and General Motors while besting its eight-cylinder competitors on fuel economy. We'd expect a slight drop in power for the 3.5 and an uptick in fuel economy, while we wouldn't be surprised to see the 5.0 and 3.5 EcoBoost carry over their horsepower and torque metrics, while their fuel economy figures will benefit from the lighter body.

Ford hasn't limited its improvements to the greasy bits of the new F-150. All LED lighting is available as an optional goodie, including segment-exclusive LED headlights. The cargo box features LED lights, as well as a switch in the bed, which should save the driver from going all the way into the cab for a bit of extra light. There's also an LED on the handle of the tailgate, which should make finding it and hooking up a trailer a bit easier. Other handy features include a segment-exclusive tailgate release that can be operated via the key fob.



Click Here for Fulll Article

Truck competitors who can't keep pace with Ford's innovation, that's your exit sign up ahead.

I think it looks okay. Not as good as a 97 Supercab, but okay. Looks like lots of convenience doodads added, which is fine.

My questions are the hard stats:

1. Horsepower
2. Fuel mileage
3. Fuel tank capacity
4. ground clearance.
5. Overall length/wheelbase

They are supposed to have one at the Houston Auto show, so I will be curious to see it. Sat in a Ram this past weekend, and it too is nice.

I bet it'll get to the Murderapolis show too in a month or so.. I may hafta go just to see it in person..

I think it looks good.

I wish they'd offer an extended cab, 4x4 with a 1.5" lift (not a leveling kit), rubber floors, manual windows and a 6.5' bed, pre-wired with switches for auxiliary lights and stuff on the front and back and a giant alternator, with a 110v outlet in the bed and cab. Basic wheels and real tires with blacked out tint in the back seat so nobody can see what's back there.

My 2004 F150 is awfully heavy. I can certainly tell the difference in power and mileage when I have 700lbs of ATV in the bed, so the weight loss item isn't negligible. My 5.4L 4x4 Supercab weighs 5,600 according to the sticker, which seems like a lot for a half ton truck.

Lemme know if you do.

I'll make the obvious observation that just bringing back the Ranger would save them more than 750 pounds per truck. Cost less, too

That 2.7L turbo engine would be sweet in a small truck. Even better economy, easier to park, and easier to fit through tight trails offroad...

and edit to add, lots easier to reach stuff inside the bed, too!

The average american is too fat to ride in a Ranger.

Nah. But the average American is definitely too short to reach anything in an F150 bed, without using a ladder or climbing the tailgate step.

I like my 2006 F150 Supercab with the 5.7 Triton a lot. I am disappointed to see Ford's leaning toward small displacement pissant engines with turbos to carry the brunt of the load. I just wish Ford offered an equivalent engine to the Hemi, but I'll be damned if I'll drive something from Obama Motors to get a real engine.

Glad I bought my Dodge the same year you did your Ford.

Gunner

so the big turbo is the new "v8" and the small turbo is the new "v6"?

I guess those eco boost engines have been around for awhile but I'd like to know what the maintenance cost of 'em is when they hit 120K miles of daily driving and towing.

I was concerned about them at first, but I'm pretty sold now on the small turbos



I think Ford gets it - that the truck has to be durable

$$$$$$$????????

How much?

This fact alone make's the truck appealing to me. It would be a miracle if a truck body could outlast the financing without having rust holes in the body. These companies love to dote on the longevity of their engines, transmissions, etc.

All of it is moot when the freaking body begins rusting away.

I have said for years that these companies need to figure a way to stop corrosion, or postpone it so that the truck body at least lasts as long as the drive train, and definitely longer than the loan. Instead of getting better, it seems the rust begins earlier each year a new vehicle is produced.

Looks good. I think it's a mistake dumping the 6.2 though but what do I know.

My thoughts exactly. I wish they had kept the 6.2L engine.

There was a Top Gear episode comparing it side by side with Dodge and Toyota. In it, they pulled a 737 passenger jet and the Ford had the fastest time. Never have been a Ford guy, but I am impressed. Thanks for sharing the video.

Some specs:

Link

look at the rims ground clearance is half the highth of the wheel , which is around 30 ",so 14 -15 " other than the difs
new rims 16-20"

norm

Kinda like it but it looks like the new Toyota pickups in the front. Ford is also going to bring the bronco back for 2015.

Ford didn't make a 5.7L V8 Triton in 2006. In fact, they never made a 5.7L Trioton V8.

They left out the juiciest details - power, torque, fuel economy, gas tank size but at least the length & wheelbase is staying the same.

Will be interesting to see the price

you and i are on the same page blue. a basic truck with cab room and no do-dads. i love the 4 door quad cab and 6.5' bed trucks. thats why i bought a used dodge instead of a used ford or chevy a few years ago. i can fit my quad back there or haul full sized lumber or even sleep in the back if i need to. i couldn't find a truck with a quad cab and a 6.5' bed that wasn't a dodge. all the quad cabs with 8' beds look like school bus's and i need something with a decent turn radius. and these 5.5' beds these days are friggen useless in my opinion.

Ford sells TONS of 6.5' bed quad cab rigs. The 5.0l v-8 is still available and is a great motor. The 6.2 isn't gone, just gone from 1/2 tons. It is a gas hog.

I'm pretty sure you guys could get what you want if you ordered it and didn't buy off the lot.
Oil companies order what they want and they don't order do-dads for work trucks.
Just get to the truck guy in the dealership, ask to look at the book and pick what you want.
Or get the model # off Fords web site and let the dealership search for that truck in the whole state you live in. It works.

So with 700lb less weight, I wonder if there will be some "tail wagging the dog" experiences when towing?

I'm guessing low 50s

50K for a truck

Farmer's living large!

Funny you mentioned that - no one else did. My local dealer told me they are looking at least a $2,000 increase in base price.

Don't forget to call and thank the EPA for their latest rounds of CAFE standards.

ALL-NEW FORD F-150 REDEFINES FULL-SIZE TRUCKS AS THE TOUGHEST, SMARTEST, MOST CAPABLE F-150 EVER

Tougher: All-new high-strength steel frame, high-strength aluminum-alloy body, more than 10 million miles of testing and Baja 1000-proven 2.
7-liter EcoBoost� engine

Smarter: 11 new class-exclusive features, including 360-degree camera view, integrated loading ramps stowed in the pickup bed, 400-watt power outlets inside the cab, LED headlights and sideview mirror spotlights, and remote tailgate release

More capable: Up to 700 pounds less weight plus four engine choices for an impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency

TECH SPECS

Ford today introduces the all-new Ford F-150, the reinvention of America�s favorite truck. It is the toughest, smartest and most capable F-150 ever � setting the standard for the future of trucks.


2014 Detroit Auto Show



The all-new F-150 delivers an impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency � from advanced materials that improve durability and inhibit corrosion, to faster processors that enhance driving performance, to breakthrough cargo management and towing solutions.

�F-150 is well-known for being Built Ford Tough. Now, it is both tough and smart,� said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company chief operating officer. �The all-new F-150 redefines the future of trucks, and it is yet another example of our One Ford plan producing vehicles that serve customers with a commitment to the very best quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value.�

F-150 is part of the Ford F-Series truck lineup, America�s best-selling truck for 37 consecutive years and America�s best-selling vehicle for 32 years.

�We have a unique connection with our customers,� said Joe Hinrichs, Ford executive vice president and president of The Americas. �Time and again, F-150 has delivered the tougher, smarter features they want along with the capabilities they need for work or play. We build our trucks to their high standards.�

In designing the backbone of the F-150, Ford engineers improved the truck�s signature fully boxed ladder frame. It is all-new with more high-strength steel than ever � making it stronger and lighter. High-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloys � already used in aerospace, commercial transportation, energy and many other rugged industries � are used throughout the F-150 body for the first time, improving dent and ding resistance and also saving weight. Overall, up to 700 pounds of weight have been saved, helping the F-150 tow more, haul more, accelerate quicker and stop shorter, and contributing to efficiency.

�More than ever before, customers want a truck that is a dependable partner, mobile office and a go-anywhere workshop,� said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. �To meet the needs of our truck customers, we created smart new features and a whole new approach to using advanced materials and engines to improve capability and efficiency.�

Even tougher

The 2015 Ford F-150 is the strongest and most durable F-150 ever. Before it goes on sale, it will have been torture-tested in labs, at Ford proving grounds and in the hands of some of Ford�s most demanding truck customers for more than 10 million miles.

The grueling testing simulated the demands Ford�s customers will subject the truck to throughout its average lifetime. The tests include crisscrossing the country pulling heavy trailers and hefty loads through desert valleys and over high-altitude mountain passes � in temperatures from 20 degrees below zero to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Customers using the F-150 for construction, mining and utilities have tested and helped prove out its high-strength aluminum-alloy cargo box.

A disguised new Ford F-150 even raced in the Baja 1000, where it earned the distinction of completing all 883 grueling miles while some other purpose-built race vehicles could not.

To perform in these challenging conditions, the frame uses high-strength steel rated up to 70,000 psi � stronger than the steel found in some competitors� heavy-duty pickup truck frames. Eight through-welded crossmembers provide increased stiffness, while staggered rear outboard shocks provide greater stability.

Even smarter

Several groundbreaking new productivity features debut in the all-new F-150, including many class-exclusives. They include:

360-degree camera view, using exterior cameras to create a bird�s-eye view of the truck to help the driver park, maneuver in tight spots and navigate down narrow roads and trails

Integrated loading ramps, which enable easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles and mowers

BoxLink�, which is a combination of metal brackets and custom cleats used to secure a variety of accessories in the cargo box, from ramps to storage bins to bed dividers

LED headlamps and taillamps, which provide excellent nighttime visibility

Trailer hitch assist, a new rear view camera feature that adds a dynamic line based on steering wheel angle in the display to help customers line up truck and trailer without requiring a spotter or having to get out of the vehicle

Smart trailer tow module, using an all-new smart trailer tow wiring harness that helps identify and inform the driver of potential trailer connectivity issues, burned or unlit trailer marker lamps, and brake light and trailer battery faults

Remote tailgate, allowing for the tailgate to be locked, unlocked and released with the key fob � eliminating manual locking and increasing convenience and security. The tailgate also is damped, dropping down, hands-free, to a flat position when opened

High-wattage power outlets (400 watts, 110 volts) in the cab, allowing drivers to easily charge corded tools, battery chargers or mobile devices on-site or while driving

LED spotlights on sideview mirrors, which provide powerful, durable and bright lighting around the truck exterior

Latest EcoBoost� technology in an all-new, even more efficient 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine that features extremely high output and lightweight design

Next-generation tailgate step, which is now fully integrated inside the tailgate and virtually invisible when not in use

Other smart innovations include:
New 8-inch LCD productivity screen in the instrument panel, which includes updated truck apps � from fuel economy to towing tips � and the ability to create a customized home screen for customers to access their most frequently used apps in one place

LED lighting embedded in the walls of the cargo box, which brightly illuminates the box interior to help customers quickly find tools or other items

Rear under-seat storage in F-150 Super and Crew cabs, providing hidden storage for valuables. Two storage bins also are located underneath the rear seats

Boxside step, now available for the short 5.5-foot box

They join available driver aids, including SYNC� with MyFord Touch�, hill start assist, MyKey�, rear view camera, reverse sensing, trailer brake controller and extendable tailgate step.
More capable

In addition to helping customers work smarter, F-150 features segment-first technologies that automatically assist drivers. They include:

Second-row inflatable safety belts, which work like a traditional belt but include a tubular airbag that inflates in the event of a crash and distributes the force of the impact across a wider area of the passenger�s chest

Curve Control, which automatically provides more aggressive four-wheel braking when the truck is going into a corner too fast

Adaptive cruise control, allowing drivers to set a cruising speed and use radar technology to monitor traffic ahead and maintain a safe distance between vehicles

Lane-Keeping System, which is designed to help avert unintentional drifting of the vehicle outside the intended driving lane by automatically detecting the left- or right-hand road lane markings using a camera mounted between the windshield and interior rearview mirror

Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert, which uses radar hidden in the taillamps to detect a vehicle entering a driver�s blind spot while driving or backing up

A range of four engines provides more power to meet almost any customer need.

A new 2.7-liter EcoBoost with standard Auto Start-Stop and a 3.5-liter V6 engine with twin independent variable camshaft timing join the proven 3.5-liter EcoBoost and 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8. The 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine features a lightweight, compact design to deliver the same power as some mid-range V8s.

Auto Start-Stop technology helps save fuel. Unlike start-stop solutions in other vehicles, this technology � specially tuned for truck customers � shuts off the engine to save fuel when the vehicle is stopped, except when towing or in four-wheel drive. The engine restarts in milliseconds when the brake is released.

Ford F-150 trucks equipped with EcoBoost engines also will benefit from standard Active Grille Shutters. Active Grille Shutters stay open when extra engine cooling is needed, such as during low-speed stop-and-go driving or while working in hot weather. They automatically close to reduce aerodynamic drag at cruising speed.

On sale late this year

When it goes on sale late this year, the all-new Ford F-150 will continue the tradition of offering the broadest selection of trim levels in the full-size pickup segment. Five primary trims are available: XL, XLT, Lariat, Platinum and King Ranch. Chrome appearance packages are available with XL, XLT, Lariat and King Ranch. Monochromatic sport appearance packages are available with XL, XLT and Lariat.

The FX4 off-road package can be added to most four-wheel-drive models, improving trail capability with an electronic locking rear axle, skid plates and off-road-tuned shocks.

Both the exterior and interior design of Ford F-150 reflect decades of listening to customers and understanding their occupational and recreational needs. The exterior is characterized by a new shape that suggests capability, with a wider Built Ford Tough stance, prominent wheel arches and chiseled grille.

Comfort, utility and refinement define the truck�s interior. Ergonomically optimized seating for the front row positions enhances comfort, while extending legroom for rear passengers. Buttons and controls are optimized so they can be operated while wearing work gloves.

Storage options include laptop stowage in the center console, as well as quick storage solutions for cellphones, drinks, pens and business cards.

�Once again, the Ford F-150 establishes new standards in durability, capability, technology and efficiency to help F-150 owners be more productive 24/7 � whether for work or weekend fun,� said Nair.

The F-150 will continue to be manufactured at Ford�s Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich., and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Mo.


http://www.autospies.com/news/DETRO...n-Unleashed-Competitors-Be-Damned-79703/

Ha! My GMC with the 420 hp 6.2L laughs at those cute little engines.

Your 6.2 is a tad short in the torque dept. in the 1500-1800 rpm range where most driving is done.

Didn't mean to give ya the bad news

Haven't noticed. When you put your foot in it, 1500 to 1800 rpms aren't really in the offing.

That was my first thought. Not to mention slick road surfaces with no weight in the back.

Big hp/TQ numbers seem impressive until one realizes they are made in the 4k+ rpm range where 95% of driving does not take place.


Just an observation

The ecoboost 3.5 actually makes its max torque at 2500 rpm, so it arguably is more of a pulling engine than the V8's.

Start/stop technology. [bleep] that.

Good looking truck and smart marketing.

Then cries at the gas pump no doubt.

For those who put a lot of highway miles each year on a pickup, having a smaller, more fuel efficient engine makes a lot of sense.

I don't need horsepower bragging rights. I need to stretch every dollar I can in these tight times and fuel economy is very important when making frequent 300 plus mile round trips to let kids visit the grandparents, or again making 300 mile round trips to the cabin. Fuel economy is a very important factor when determining such purchases.

Sounds like a helluva lot of expensive schitt to go wrong on the damned thing. Loading it up with all that gee-whizz crap is gonna make the service techs have a large dose of heartburn, too.

If it has the same recall record of the newest Escapes, it'll be a nightmare.

Chevy/Gmc has one going on now as well. Only around 370K vehicles.

it does not get me excited at all. Just a big yawn.......

Glad to see a new definition of gay for the 21st Century. Long overdue.

Lexus-BMW designed LED designer headlights (puke)

Aluminum body, should be interesting when they start hitting the bodyshop.



A fullsize truck with a bed that barely covers the back wheels is almost useless.

Only before the paint starts to peel..

That thing is uglier than a hat full of dicks.

I couldn't find a deal on a no frills work truck. With a V8, A/C, 4x4 and cruise they were as high as the regular trucks that the dealers get deals on.

Smaller trucks like the Tacos with 4x4 and a V6 so you can pull a trailer cost almost as much as a full size and get only a couple mpg more if that.

So I got this instead:



I'm happy.

All that gadgetry and gizmofication is pretty sweet until it doesn't work and you spend time and money taking it in for repairs and are without the use of it to boot.

I'd prefer a simpler model where the computer between my ears is responsible for the handling of the vehicle. The soccer-momification of the half-ton truck market is a sad thing.

I had one as a rental a couple years back while mine was getting repaired. At 6'4" tall it was all I could do to get at anything in the bed. Don't understand the jacking up of the bed like that.

I gotta remember those two terms, "gizmofication" and "soccer-momification". Brilliant.

I will not be buying a new truck of any kind, the two I have will have to see me through. Still, will be interesting to watch the longevity and repair history of this truck.

The gadgets in my '04 Lariat - which has plenty of gadgets - almost all work fine - actually it's been very reliable, never broke down on the road for any reason.

Both front power windows decided to roll themselves down at different times. Apparently the window lift mechanisms were flimsy on the 04 model, and little cables broke. That could have been exciting on a cross-country trip, but I was able to prop up the windows until repairs could be made.

Brakes, plugs, tires, a/c maintenance, and fluid changes are about all it's needed in 170k - including more than a little offroad stuff. I put a alternator in it at 140k, but that was more precaution than needed. About the only gadget that does not work now is the power sliding rear window, and it may just have a loose connection.

I'm thinking it was a mistype. He probably meant 5.4L

The only gadget on my 04 that has given up is the passenger side power door lock. Hitting "unlock" on the driver's side door won't always unlock that passenger door. You have to hit unlock on the key fob. It's been mostly brakes and fuses that I've dealt with, regarding replacements.

does a rebuilt motor count as a gadget?

"Major Gadget" (grin)

two weeks ago I had to put in new seals on my windows because the old ones deteriorated and water was coming in the A pillar, under the windows, trickling down to the fuse box and shorting it out, turning on the radio and A/C with the key off and running the battery down. I get in the truck and it would sound like chinese new year behind the gauge cluster.

I have a love /hate relationship with my F150.

I'm leaning toward hate.

It looks good parked in the driveway though

Does that mean you've actually seen a hat full of dicks?

It's a good looking truck IMO. Don't worry dodge and chevy queens....it'll still out sell you like it has for the last 38 years.

Being vertically challanged, I couldn't either. But my tailgate on my truck opens so can access the bed that way.

The back is "jacked up" because of the heavy springs needed to get a two rating of 11,300# on a 1/2 truck. Today's 1/2 tons are nearly equal to the 3/4's of a 20 years ago.

I was a Ford driver for years (my dad called them v-8's). Then I bought a 2004 Tundra, loaded.

I might just look at new Ford again, if I can get the Toy to wear out. At 230k, it's still going strong as ever and has been almost trouble free.

+1 and lets not forget how much energy is used to create aluminum...we going to do this with windmills after the mofoincheif outlaws every other kind of energy production?

+1. Turbos are hard as hell on engines, especially if maintenance isn't attended-to. I'm also curious about their cooling system: is the fan full-time, or electronically activated? I had a Sunbird Turbo years ago that went through 4 crappy thermostats. The fan wasn't being told to kick-on, and I quickly blew a head gasket. One week after it was repaired, the oil pressure tanked because the pickup screen was clogged with sludge - sludge from a chronically overheated engine. 32,000 total miles on the clock, with dealer oil changes every 3K.

It's also been my experience that engines love to run. If you put 30,000 miles a year on a vehicle, it's easy to get to 150K or 200K with relatively few problems. When you're putting on 10k miles a year, there definitely seems to be more repairs.

There's no doubt they put the test engine in the video, through some pretty tough stuff. But, they did it in pretty short order. Simulating several years worth of wear, is different that getting the wear over several years.



I'm skeptical about it, in this application, too. Will it shut down even if the turbo was spooled-up for the previous 20 minutes?

It looks like they put a lot of thought into this engine. I'd likely not be an early adopter, though. It will be interesting to see what the consensus is in 5 or 6 years.

FC

So you crawl in it to get something from the front of the bed every time? I just haven't noticed the other brands being that way.

Why the hell would anyone spend $50,000 for a 1/2 to gasser with a highly stressed motor when you can get a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel for the same money that gets roughly the same mileage and is more powerful and capable to boot? They price the 1/2 tons high enough they just don't make much sense anymore.

It really isn't that bad for a truck. I get 15 or so around town and 17 to 20 on the highway depending on how much I put my foot in it.

Oh, you Barbarians

I think it doesn't make you say, "wow!" but I'd say it's a little cleaner and better looking than the current model - maybe about a tie with the current Ram.

Rating current trucks purely for looks I'd say 2015 Ford/Ram tied for first, Toyo Taco and Tundra for 2nd. I think the current Chevy looks like it was designed by Gary Larson on a bad cartoonist day, so it's dead last, IMO

The initial reports say the two most popular engines, the 3.5 Eco, and the 5.0 V8, are unchanged, as is the 6 speed tranny. So unless you live in a road-salting state and want aluminum, want 1/2 second less 0-60 via the weight reduction, an extra 1/2mpg in the city, or find one of the new convenience gadgets to be irresistible, it seems to me the current 2013 or 2014 is going to be very similar in overall performance.

Lets see how well the paint holds up........unfortunately only time will tell!

That is my biggest question, Those meticulous UAW types will make sure they produce a quality truck

Someone ought to invent wing windows. I'd buy a truck with that modern innovation.

The new Chevys remind me of what old man trucks used to look like. I think some chromed mud flaps and curb feelers would look perfectly natural on all of them I've seen. This model is the worst styling disaster since the cat eyes model of the early 2000s.

No. Don't put everything up by the cab. I also have a pole I can slide stuff back with. The beds are deep, that's for sure. I wouldn't pass on the truck because of that.

It won't be $50K. Maybe for the Premium, but the xlt and xl's are a working mans truck. They'd not be the higesting selling truck for 38 years in a row if they all cost that much. Of course, with the quality of GM, maybe they still would be?