Ford has just recently announced that in 2011 it will be coming out with a new super duty line of trucks. At the State Fair of Texas, Ford officially unveiled its F-Series Super Duty pickup truck line, which has been extensively redesigned for the 2011 year. The truck's exterior is notably bolder, and numerous mechanical improvements have the aim of keeping the F-Series the best selling line of trucks in America. The Super Duty will be offered with a choice of two powerful V8 motors - one gasoline unit and one diesel. Final horsepower figures have not been disclosed, though Ford says the motors are both more powerful and more efficient than their predecessors. The recently-announced 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel engine features a packed down graphite iron engine block, optimized for increased durability and reduced weight Aluminum cylinder heads also reduce engine weight.

A unique inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture - an industry-first for a modern diesel - reduces overall exhaust volume, which leads to better throttle response. Heat transfer, noise, and vibration are also mitigated by a reduced exhaust system surface area. The diesel unit is compatible with B20 fuel, which is made of up to 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel. On the gasoline side, the new 6.2-liter V8 uses big-bore architecture to produce more horsepower and what Ford calls 'class-leading' fuel economy. As with the diesel motor, Ford has not yet disclosed horsepower or efficiency numbers for the gasoline V8. Ford says the V8's large bore (102 mm) allows for larger intake and exhaust valves for improved engine breathing, and the short stroke (95 mm) allows higher engine speed for increased horsepower. Other highlights include an SOHC valvetrain with roller-rocker shafts, dual-equal variable cam timing, two spark plugs per cylinder, and dual knock sensors. Either motor comes mated to the all-new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission, which was designed to manage the high low-end torque produced by the new diesel engine. The unit also has a manual gear selection mode and increased internal efficiency, resulting in lower fuel consumption. The new TorqShift transmission also represents the first application of Ford's new Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off) in a Super Duty-class vehicle. On 2011 Super Duty diesels with the PTO prep option, the PTO output gear is linked through the torque converter to the engine crankshaft. This allows the transmission to power auxiliary equipment such as snowplows, aerial lifts, tow truck lifts, cement mixers or dump trucks.

Other improvements include the introduction of: Hill Start Assist, which applies brakes to prevent rollback; Hill Descent Control, which regulates brakes and throttle while descending; an Electronic Locking Differential, which provides maximum traction by forcing the rear wheels to turn at the same speed; a tire pressure monitoring system; optional side air bags and air curtains; and a new 4.2-inch LCD screen that includes information on specific features such as Trailer Brake Control and Tow Haul. Ford's changes are critical to keeping its lock on the Heavy Duty segment, where the F-250 three-quarter-ton and F-350 one-ton trucks rule the pack with almost 50 percent market share; the Ford F-450 1.5-ton continues in a segment that it owns but with several major revisions. Little has been noted about what the exterior and interior will have to offer but recently more and more is coming out. It wouldn't be a Super Duty without a big, bold front end. The 2011 Super Duty trucks get an all-new front clip that includes a two-bar chrome grille that's framed by two "C-clamp" style trim pieces that replace the old nostril intakes. The headlights are sleeker and the bumper follows the sharp bottom curves of the grille.

Ford has removed the front fender side vents and replaced them with subtler model identifiers that are positioned just below where the A-pillar meets the hood line.  The inside of the Super Duty has been updated, too. It borrows the seats from the F-150, improving the old six-way power adjustable chairs to 10-way units with heaters and coolers in the Lariat and King Ranch models. The heated and cooled seats will be available for the Lariat Chassis cab models too. There's a new information display in the instrument cluster that can show the truck's attitude off-road as well as the steering position. It also communicates important systems messages and the transmission's gear state. The famous King Ranch trim package gets a few changes. The iconic Castano orange leather seats can be swapped for black ones. The interior can also be equipped with black carpeting in addition to the traditional camel color. The Black color seats should hide dirt better than the old Orange seats for the construction workers that often use these trucks.

If the F 250 and 350 Super Duty trucks just aren't big enough for you and will not complete the job you need done, you should take a look at the F 450. The largest truck in the 2011 Ford Super Duty lineup, the F450, will be getting a facelift that will make the heavyweight lighter and faster. This is an effect of Ford hearing that new F-450 Super Duty truck owners expected the 2011 model to go farther on a gallon of gas. To do this, Ford made changes to the frame and running gear of the 2011 Super Duty F-450, decreasing the total weight by 600 lbs. Reportedly, this provides the 6.7 liter diesel powered 2011 Super Duty F-450 with more than a ten percent increase in overall gas mileage. How did they decrease the weight in the 2011 F450 Super Duty truck so drastically and quickly? They started by changing the old Dana S110 rear axle with a new Dana M80 and exchanging the old wide track Dana Super 60 front axle for a standard wide track Dana 60. To increase the 2011 Super Duty F-450's top end speed, they have added new tires which designers say raises the Super Duty F-450's top speed above 90 mph, from the 80 mph average rating of the previous tires and gives the new 2011 Super Duty F-450 better gas mileage. All these changes haven't changed the power at your disposal though, because despite the alterations the 2011 Super Duty F-450 will still be rated to pull 24,000 pounds despite the changes, which will still lead its class in the ability to get your heavy loads where you want them to go.

We here at Team Ford Sales will be happy to assist you in finding the perfect Super Duty truck for you. These are very nice vehicles and we want you to find the one you're looking for. We have several in our stock right now and would love to show one to you. Team Ford Sales is now proudly managed by Doug Henry Chevrolet; Doug Henry has made a prominent statement in the car business in Eastern North Carolina and will do the same in the Ford business as well. If your tired of shopping your Raleigh Ford Dealer, we are located at 1901 N Main St. in Tarboro, NC. Take the short drive from Greenville or Rocky Mount Ford Dealer and look at a Super Duty today, and remember We're ALWAYS Cheaper at Team Ford Sales!!