2009 Ford F-150 First Drive

[hades]

Yup. You read it right. I read this article in edmunds.com. Here's an excerpt...

Based on our one-day drive on and around Ford's proving grounds in Romeo, Michigan, we can say the 2009 Ford F-150 is a fine entry in the pickup truck market that will grab at least its share of the projected 1.6 million sales in the pickup segment this year. (At 1.6 million units, the pickup market is down nearly a million from its peak in 2004, which should explain some of the sniping and back-biting as everyone squabbles over the scraps.)

First off, Ford gets to say that its entire lineup of 2009 F-150s — from the lowliest work truck with a standard cab to the Lincoln-style Platinum-edition luxury truck — is powered by a V8.

The 4.2-liter V6 bites the dust for '09 and is replaced by last year's midlevel engine — the 4.6-liter V8 with two valves per cylinder. This engine makes 248 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque. Of course, we had to specifically ask Ford officials for a drive of the base-model F-150 equipped with this engine. Once they dug one up and we drove it, we found out why it wasn't part of the regular test-drive program. Trying to move 2.5 tons of truck, the base V8 has its work cut out for it, especially with a four-speed automatic transmission (no manual transmission is offered). This engine might not be a V6, but it isn't much of a V8, either.

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[Sunk]

That thing is pretty fugly.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Pretty sad when they think 250hp is underpowered for a base half ton truck...

Most versions of the new F-150 I don't care for, but I do like the FX4 version.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Ugly.

Are they going to have a an actual regular cab, or that ugly as hell half ass club cab thing?

later,
Dustin

 

[pacodiablo]

Ugly.

Are they going to have a an actual regular cab, or that ugly as hell half ass club cab thing?

later,
Dustin

Yep, they ditched the mini doors on regular cabs.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Good.

Now if they'd bring back the 300 and 351 (Screw the 302) with a decent 4sp and a good manual shift transfer case id be in line for one tomorrow.

later,
Dustin

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

i hate the grill and lack of front bumper god i do like there sales rep dude bashing the rear coil dodge and the wimpy toyota hahah

i dont want to get flamed for this but i do like the new dodge grill on there fullsize trucks tho

 

[krugford]

I like the new F150s. If I had another house payment laying around every month, I'd pick one up.

I'm still out on the rear coil springs on the Dodge, no reason it could work just as well if properly designed, it's just....different. I mean, you get a four-link + panhard bar from the factory? Think of the possibilities.

 

[AustinJ427]

you realize you said "dodge" and "properly designed" in the same sentence

 

[krugford]

Well, I did say "IF" properly designed. Time will tell.

 

[exbass94]

I like it. I think it looks a lot better than the current generation F150s.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

i hate the grill and lack of front bumper god i do like there sales rep dude bashing the rear coil dodge and the wimpy toyota hahah

i dont want to get flamed for this but i do like the new dodge grill on there fullsize trucks tho

I also like the duals out the back, that has been an option that has been a long time coming.

The thing I don't like about the coils is you have to get the ones that are just right for what you do. If you just putt around empty you have to get one set, and if you actually need heavy springs once you are in for a surpise...

 

[addiman09]

still like the current body style, it just sleek

 

[hihoslvr]

so what ever happened to the diesel the F150 that was rumored to get? 2010?