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Ford's pickup truck, the F-150, continues to be one of the top selling vehicles in the U.S. and for 2011 it gets a major mechanical update aimed at providing improved power and fuel efficiency. The old 4.6-liter and 5.4-liter V-8 engines are out, replaced by three all-new engines, including a 3.7-liter V-6, 5.0-liter V-8 and 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6. Last year's premium 6.2-liter V-8, available only for the Raptor, is now available for high-end F-150 models like the Harley-Davidson, King Ranch and Platinum models. Some unique features are offered as options for the cargo box. Shared with the Super Duty, a step pulls out of the open tailgate and hinges down to ease climbing into the bed. A post on the tailgate swings up and locks, forming a handle to help step up into the bed. Another option handed down from Ford's heavy-duty trucks is the split bed extender. Whereas the solid U-shaped bed extenders rest either on the open tailgate or flipped up on the bed floor ? and are always there ? the F-150's U shape detaches in the center, allowing either side to stow against the bed wall and free up the cargo floor for full use. The 2011 Ford F-150 comes in more than 50 configurations, there are multiple wheelbases, three cab sizes, three bed lengths (one of which is available in two styles), four engines, ten trim levels, and rear- or four-wheel drive. Regular Cabs are offered in standard bed (about 6.5 feet) and long bed (about 8 feet) XL, STX, or XLT grades. SuperCab trucks add higher FX and Lariat trim to choices plus SVT's Raptor, and a short-bed option (about 5.5 feet). A long-bed SuperCab is available only with the heavy-duty package. The SuperCrew F-150, available with either the short bed or standard bed, drops the STX grade and adds King Ranch and Platinum derivatives while Harley-Davidson and Lariat Limited are SuperCrew short bed only. The 2011 Ford F-150 delivers a strong combination of style, interior comfort, performance, ride and hauling ability. The new engine lineup moves Ford from follower to leader in power and alternatives. With multiple choices in trim, drivetrains and body styles, there's an F-150 for every type of pickup owner, and overall, Ford offers the best powertrain packages in the half-ton pickup truck marketplace.
Two V8 and two V6 engines are offered, all with six-speed automatic transmissions. New to F-150 is a revised version of the twin-turbocharged EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 from Ford cars. Horsepower is 365 as in the cars but torque is up to 420 lb-ft at a nice low 2500 rpm so unless you need the rumble of a V8 it's by far the best combo of performance and economy. Standard on 2WD is a 302-hp 3.7-liter V6. Other choices include a 360-hp 5-liter V8 for all cab/bed configurations, a 411-hp 6.2-liter V8 on SuperCrew short beds, and a 365-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 on all but regular cab/short beds. Several axle ratios are offered with each engine. The new 3.7-liter V6 powerplant may be down two cylinders from the mill it replaces, but it's a much more modern design. Plus, with 302 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, it's also significantly more powerful. Steering remains very light and a little slow, just as Ford's F-150 has been for years, and it handles like a fully modern truck with an extremely stiff, fully-boxed frame. What stands out most driving the F-150 is the relative refinement. Ford attributes much of this to the Quiet Steel laminate used in some body panels. The F-150 has a fully boxed frame, which is quite stiff and resistant to both bending and twist. The front suspension is a dual ball-joint design pioneered and still used by BMW and found on the Expedition sport-utility, while the rear suspension has long leaf springs and outboard shocks.
There are minor exterior changes for the F-150 for 2011. Each F-150 trim level gets its own grille treatment, starting with a simple one on the base XL and topping out with mesh grille inserts for the highest trim levels. The Platinum trim's grille is called Satin Chrome, and it's repeated on a metal panel on the tailgate. The Platinum also has chrome-capped side mirrors and 20-inch, 16-spoke aluminum wheels. The rest of the lineup offers 16 wheel options, starting with 17 inches and ranging to 22 inches in diameter. There are many options to customize the way that your truck can be used. One option is a side step that you pop out of the rocker panel in front of the rear wheel by kicking a button. It allows you to reach over the side of the cargo box. This eases access to Ford's take on C-channel rails that let you position tie-down cleats anywhere along the box's length. They're a spring-loaded pin design, like GM uses, so they can be repositioned in seconds without unscrewing anything. Other features that utilize these rails are heavy-duty partitions, crossbars and a Ford-branded tool box that hangs on the inner side of the box wall. With one of the deepest beds in the segment, the F-150 has generous cargo volume out back and a maximum payload rating of 3,060 pounds; most versions carry 1,600-2,100 pounds. Any cab model F-150 can be optioned to tow more than 11,000 pounds; the range varies from 5,500-11,300 pounds. The front door edge that allows a lower glass line at the front is stylish but also very useful; it allows a better view of front quarters near the truck and means you can have a good-sized mirror that doesn't limit forward vision because you look over it rather than around it. The view rearward can be aided by extendable towing mirrors, a rear camera, and a power sliding rear window. We found the towing mirrors work very well.
The inside of the Ford F-150 is just as configurable as the outside, with a long list of models and options, from a basic work cabin to top of the line luxury. Virtually everything you might need is either standard or available, and much the same degree of luxury in a more subdued style can be found in Lariats, which follow a more eclectic approach to decor and make one wonder if seven colors and surface textures on a rear door alone might be one or two too many. The speaker grilles on high-line models that look like metal really are, and in some cases the trim is real brushed aluminum. The front bench is still split three ways: The center section flips down to reveal a console with storage and cup holders. The console is flat, so you can put a clipboard on top of it and it won't slide off until you stop, start or change direction quickly. Captain's chairs on FX and Lariat models, especially with power adjustment and the optional adjustable pedals (the switch is often hidden on the steering column), provide good driver positioning for virtually everyone.
The F-150 XL is a standard bed, Regular Cab two-wheel drive. It comes with 3.7-liter V6, 17-inch steel wheels, black bumper/grille/mirrors, and vinyl upholstery and floor covering. XL includes air conditioning, split front bench (and rear on four-door cabs), locking tailgate, tilt steering wheel, stability control, capless fuel filler and a stereo radio.
F-150 STX models add body-color bumpers over a black grille, CD player, and cloth seats with driver lumbar. More equipment is available, including 18-inch wheels, Sirius radio, SYNC, cruise control, fog lamps and power mirrors.
F-150 XLT adds chrome for bumpers and trim, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, automatic headlamps, carpeting, cruise control, power windows and locks, and better cloth upholstery. All manner of options are available on the XLT, including three wheel diameters, tailgate step, cargo management and towing equipment.
F-150 FX4 and FX2 come with a 5-liter V8, black grille and body-colored bumpers, trim and mirrors. Electric-shift 4WD is standard, as are fog lamps, a locking differential, towing package, 18-inch wheels, sporty cloth split bench seat (power driver on four-doors), Sirius radio, and the 5.4-liter V8/6-speed automatic powertrain.
F-150 Lariat is the mainstream luxury F-150 and hence is four-door only with V8 or turbo V6 engines. Chrome trim and bumpers highlight monotone paint, and the Lariat adds heated mirrors with signal repeaters and auto-dimming on the driver's and inside, dual-zone climate control, heated power leather seats with driver memory, leather wheel with redundant audio controls, tow package, SYNC, trip computer, and power adjustable pedals. Options include 20-inch wheels, heated/cooled front seats, Sony sound and navigation, trailer brake controller, rear camera and park sensors, and moonroof.
F-150 King Ranch is like a Lariat with a different attitude. It adds two-tone paint and KR badges, unique wheels, mesh chrome grille, Chaparral leather heated and cooled power captain's chairs with driver memory, running boards, and power folding, heated, signal outside mirrors with chrome caps.
F-150 Platinum SuperCrew gets a unique satin chrome grille, body-color bumpers and wheel lip moldings, 20-inch wheels, power-deploy/retract running boards, satin chrome tailgate trim, tuxedo-stitched leather power captain's chairs, wood grain and brushed aluminum trim, rain-sensing wipers, power folding/heated mirrors, and unique console.
The most luxurious F-150 Lariat Limited comes only with a 6.2-liter engine, 22-inch wheels, special paint and very few options. A special F-150 Harley-Davidson edition is also 6.2 V8 only and decked out in colors and heavy chrome trim befitting the brand it's named after. Ford's SVT division offers the Raptor, intended for serious, high-speed off-road use. It comes only with the 411-hp 6.2-liter V8. Unique long-travel high-performance suspension, wheels and tires, and aggressive bodywork set it apart from any other F-150.
The Ford F-150 got a total redesign two years ago, in 2009. Since then the half-ton pickup has garnered numerous awards and recognition, including PickupTrucks.com's Best Overall Light-Duty Pickup. The F-150 offers best-in-class ratings for towing (11,300 pounds) and payload (3,030 pounds). There are three cab styles: regular, extended and crew cab. The Ford F-150 is among the heavier trucks in its class, contributing to a solid feel and none of that empty metal box bang-and-clang that characterized pickups of old. There's an impression of substance and tight construction regardless of the road surface or the model. For the latest updates on this model, visit the official Ford F-150 website!
