2008 Ford F250 Super Duty 4X4

Ford’s F250 Lariat may be the most posh, heavy-duty truck on the market.
By Nina Russin

2008 Ford F250

My mind drifts back to Reatta: the ranch in “Giant.” Giant is the last film James Dean made before he died: he plays opposite Liz Taylor and Rock Hudson in the screen adaptation of Edna Ferber’s novel, about the disappearance of the cowboy way. Everything about “Giant” is giant, especially the ranch, which encompasses enough land to house a medium-sized city.

The Ford F250 Lariat is the Reatta of pickup trucks: epic in scale, and containing every possible creature comfort the well-dressed cowboy could ask for. The test truck, equipped with the optional off-road package, also has the King Ranch option: leather heated captain’s chairs, satellite radio, navigation system, power sliding rear window, power moonroof, automatic climate control, and the gaudiest two-tone paint job imaginable. The exterior looks like one of those oval-shaped buckles the rodeo queens wear, only much bigger.

On a greener note, it has a clean diesel engine. Fuel stats aren’t available because the EPA doesn’t certify super duty trucks, but I was able to log about a hundred miles on just over a quarter tank of gas. The fuel tank holds thirty gallons.

For buyers planning to tow trailers, diesels offer exceptional low-end power. The Powerstroke V8 produces 650 foot-pounds of torque, and develops maximum torque as low as 2,000 r.p.m. Its 350 horsepower rating is close to Ford’s gas-powered V10

All models come with the option of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions. The test truck has the automatic, which I prefer for this type of vehicle. While manual transmissions give the driver more control in extreme off-road conditions, automatic transmissions are better for towing. A tow-haul mode in the five-speed automatic improves uphill and downhill control by varying the shift points and applying engine braking as needed.

The off-road package provides everything necessary for aggressive off-road driving: two-speed transfer case, skid plates under the chassis, and ample ground clearance. But because of its size, the F250 can’t navigate narrow, winding trails. Wheelbase on the crew cab is 156 inches. There’s not a chance of getting it into my garage, and it barely fits in the driveway. Turning radius is almost 52 feet. With a curb weight of 6500 pounds, it takes a pretty serious winch and tow truck to pull the F250 out of a rut.

On the highway, the F250 has exceptional performance for a truck of its size. The tow mirrors provide excellent visibility to the rear. Even without a trailer, the mirrors make it a lot easier to see low profile vehicles to either side. The mirrors incorporate large, redundant turn signals: a nice safety feature for other drivers on the road.

Twenty-inch aluminum wheels and all-season tires are part of the King Ranch option. The all-season tires provide a comfortable ride on the highway, but won’t provide as much traction off-road as trail-specific tires. Those who plan to drive off-road might want to buy a second set of smaller wheels that will have a narrower footprint and a higher profile.

Because of the diesel engine’s low-end torque, it’s easy to accelerate hard from a stop, and merge into high-speed traffic. Steering is responsive without being too touchy, and the disc brakes are big enough to stop the truck fairly quickly. I didn’t have a chance to drive in rain or snow, but drivers in colder climates will appreciate standard antilock brakes.

A limited slip rear axle keeps the truck tracking straight if one of the back wheels contacts ice, oil, or soft sand. The test truck also has optional traction control, to prevent excessive wheel spin in bad weather.

Because it’s engineered for towing, the F250 has a live rear axle. The solid axle doesn’t have the compliant ride of independent suspension, but it doesn’t bump passengers all over the road either.

Inside: a casita on wheels

Equipped with two rows of captain’s chairs, the crew cab seats four adults. Both rows of passengers have enough room to be comfortable on longer drives. The driver’s seat has six power adjustments. A tilt and telescoping steering wheel and adjustable foot pedals allows smaller drivers to sit a safe distance from the airbag. The leather steering wheel has redundant controls for most comfort and convenience options. The passenger seat on the Lariat model also has power adjustments.

Running boards make it easier for passengers to climb into the high profile vehicle. There are grab handles near all four doors for the same purpose.

A large shelf on top of the instrument panel holds a clipboard or a laptop computer. There are two, huge bottle holders in both front and rear center consoles. The bin in the front console is large enough to hold a small backpack or purse. Smaller trays in the bin hold change or small electronic devices.

Controls on the instrument panel are easy to reach from either front seating position. The navigation screen doubles as a touch screen for audio controls. There are redundant buttons for the automatic climate control and audio system.

The doors have two tiers of map pockets. There is a 12-volt power point in the instrument panel, and a second on the back of the front center console. Large, leather map pockets on the front seatbacks provide additional storage for second-row passengers. The power sliding rear window allows fresh air into the rear of the cab.

Buyers who live in extremely cold climates will appreciate the supplemental cab heater and engine block heater options. Since diesel engines use glow plugs rather than traditional spark plugs, they can be harder to start in cold weather.

The crew cab has enough interior space to hold groceries and a moderate amount of luggage. It wouldn’t be too hard to load a bicycle inside with the front wheel removed.

Because the crew cab extends the truck’s overall length, buyers can opt for a shorter cargo bed. The bed on the test truck is about six and a half feet long: a standard cargo bed measures eight feet.

An optional bed extender on the test truck makes it long enough to hold sheets of plywood, or other large items. Width between the wheels is just short of sixty inches, and the cargo bed is twenty-inches deep. An optional tailgate step folds down to make loading the back easier.

Payload for the F250 is 2,830 pounds: the truck easily exceeds our ALV towing standards. Maximum gross vehicle weight is 10,000 pounds.

Base price on the F250 Lariat is $37,305, but the option packages add a significant cost. The automatic transmission alone is almost $7,000. Sticker on the test truck is $57,225, including a $925 destination charge.

The Ford F250 is built in Ford’s Kentucky truck plant, and is currently on display at dealerships nationwide.

Likes: Diesel engine provides the best possible fuel economy and reduced emissions. The F250 has excellent road manners for a truck of its size. The interior is versatile enough to function as a mobile office or home away from home. The optional upgraded audio, leather trim, navigation system and automatic climate control are nice features for drivers who take frequent long road trips.

Dislikes: The two-tone paint and extra chrome badges makes the exterior look gaudy.

Quick facts:

Base price: $37,305
Price as tested: $57,075
Horsepower: 350 @ 3,000 r.p.m.
Torque: 650 lbs.-ft. @ 2,000 r.p.m.
0 to 60: N/A
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: N/A
First aid kit: No 
Towing Capability: Yes
Off-road: Yes
Bicycle friendly: Yes
Fuel economy: Not available.

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport Quad Cab 4X2

Full-sized pickup has a new hemi engine and enhanced cargo capability.
By Nina Russin

Rising fuel prices and the downturn in the economy are creating rough

2009 Dodge Ram 1500

waters in the light-duty truck market. Dodge execs hope a new hemi engine and innovative cargo solutions on the 2009 Ram will convince buyers that full-sized trucks are the right fit for active lifestyles.

The mid-sized Honda Ridgeline made design history by offering dry lockable storage under the cargo bed. The new RamBox uses a similar concept, creating dry lockable storage in the dead space around the Ram’s rear wheel wells.

The bins, with drain plugs in the floors are big enough to store tools, kayak paddles, and golf clubs. The ignition key unlocks the bins, and the truck tailgate.

The stand-alone factory option also includes a cargo divider and bed extender. Dodge plans to announce pricing next month: the Ram box will be available on all ’09 Ram crew cab models, beginning in October.

V8 power meets V6 fuel economy

The Ram’s new 5.7-liter hemi V8 will eventually be part of a hybrid model that rolls out next year. A multiple displacement system shuts off half the engine cylinders when power demands are low to save gas.

A light on the dash tells the driver when the truck is in four-cylinder mode. Variable valve timing and an active intake manifold help to minimize emissions while maintaining excellent acceleration.

The 390-horsepower hemi is one of three engine options on the new Ram: buyers can also opt for the base V6, or 4.7-liter V8. Hemi buyers enjoy similar fuel economy to the V6. On the 4X2 model, both engines get 14 miles-per-gallon in the city. The V6 gets 21 mpg on the highway, versus 20 for the hemi V8.

Aggressive styling and refined aerodynamics

Dodge got high approval ratings from current truck owners for the outgoing model’s aggressive exterior. The new Ram carries the theme of the current truck further, with bigger badging, and a slanted front grille based on the Dodge Charger design.

Designers reduced the new Ram’s aerodynamic drag by eliminating unneccessary gaps in the body, refining the hood’s profile, redesigning side mirrors, and adding a spoiler at the top of the tailgate.

Inside, the new Ram is more passenger car than truck, with a leather stitched captain’s chairs, a versatile center console, dual gloveboxes, multiple power points, and cupholders.

For the first time, Dodge is offering a crew cab: appealing to families who use their pickup as a primary vehicle. Two under-floor storage bins in front of the second-row seats hold cold beverages: the liners are removable for cleaning.

Storage bins under the second-row seats hold groceries and other small items in the secure cabin, without impinging on legroom in back.

Sport grade focuses on on-road performance

I drove the Sport Quad Cab at a recent press event in Santa Barbara. The Sport is one of five available grades, including a base model priced from $22,170. The Sport comes with twenty-inch wheels and dual exhausts: a hemi engine on the test truck adds about $1000 to its $29,475 base sticker price.

The new engine makes the Ram handle like a much smaller car: zero-to-sixty acceleration is under six seconds. Throttle response is incredibly good: it simply doesn’t feel like a 5200-pound truck.

A five-speed automatic transmission is well-matched to the engine. There is no noticeable shift shock during normal driving. Even during hard acceleration, the gearbox doesn’t shift hard. The driver can manually select gears using a gate shifter on the floor console.

Our drive route took us inland on two-lane roads towards Santa Ynez and Solvang. I had the opportunity to pass a slow-moving construction truck on an uphill. I was able to complete the pass in a relatively short window between switchbacks.

Four-wheel disc brakes with standard antilock braking stop the truck in firm linear fashion without being grabby. The steering has a light touch closer to passenger cars than full-sized trucks. But it’s responsive at any speed, with an adequate on-center feel on the highway.

Dodge bucked the traditional practice of using leaf springs in the rear suspension: a solid axle coil suspension provides a more compliant ride. A track bar in back enhances lateral stiffness to keep the wheels planted, and eliminates wheel skate.

Designers lowered the side mirrors to enhance aerodynamics: the measure also improves the driver’s forward vision merging onto the freeway.

Our truck came equipped with an audible rear back-up warning system. As a buyer, I’d opt for the rear camera backup. A camera mounted in the tailgate displays a wide-angle view to the rear in the navigation screen. The Ram is a big vehicle to park: the rearview system makes it much easier to back into the average space.

Upscale interior

Inside, the truck has optional leather trim, with heated and cooled front captain’s chairs, a heated steering wheel, and the MyGig downloadable hard drive that stores tunes and photos.

The captain’s chairs are extremely comfortable, with enough power adjustments to meet the needs of various sized drivers. A standard tilt steering wheel is easy to adjust for optimal forward vision.

Redundant steering wheel controls on the test truck adjust volume and scroll through a digital information display on the gauge cluster. Designers pushed the center stack out from the instrument panel, making audio and climate control knobs easier for the driver and front passenger to reach.

The center console is well-suited for a person who uses his truck as a mobile office. A flat surface under the console lid is large enough for a computer. The center stack includes both a 115-volt inverter and a 12-volt power point. A second 12-volt power point in the floor console allows both front-row passengers to recharge electronic devices on the go.

Both front doors have dual bottle holders and map pockets. The bottle holders are too low for a small person to reach while driving, but they come in handy for stashing extra beverages. Cupholders in the floor console are large enough for water bottles.

An optional power sunroof brings extra ambient light inside. Dual front reading lamps and a single overhead lamp in back illuminate the interior at night.

The rear seats don’t have the legroom of the crew cab model, but average-sized adults should be comfortable enough on short trips. Two cupholders in the floor hold beverages for second-row passengers, while a 12-volt power point in back of the center console allows them to plug in electronic devices.

The floor console has a couple of small bins for holding cell phones and PDAs. A large bin under the center console armrest is big enough for a purse or small pack.

Cargo bed is easy to load

Designers added a rubber step pad in back to make it easier to load up the cargo bed. Standard tie-down cleats help to secure larger items.

The cargo bed on the quad and crew cab models is relatively short, to minimize overall length. Those who plan to carry long items such as bikes and kayaks should either purchase the RamBox with the bed extender, or plan to add a separate rack.

The Ram comes standard with a tow hitch rated up to five thousand pounds. An option upgrade increases towing capacity up to 8800 pounds.

The new Dodge Ram is rolling into dealerships nationwide.

Likes: New hemi engine is an exceptional performer. Dodge has vastly improved fit and finish inside and out, while adding additional storage space inside the passenger cabin and the cargo bed.

Dislikes: Side airbags are not available, which makes passengers vulnerable to lower torso injuries in some side-impact collisions.

Quick facts:

Make: Dodge
Model: Ram 1500 Sport Quad Cab 4X2
Year: 2009
Base price: $29,475
As tested: $40,065
Horsepower: 390 Hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 407 lbs.-ft @ 4000 rpm
Zero-to-sixty: 6 seconds
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: Standard
First aid kit: N/A
Bicycle friendly: Yes
Towing: Yes
Off road: Yes, on 4X4 models
Comments: Base price does not include a $900 destination charge.