Detroit 2008: Live intro of the 2009 Ford F-150
by Eric Bryant on Jan 13th 2008 at 12:24PM 
click above for high-res live shots of the 2009 Ford F-150
We already brought you official photography of the newly-revamped 2009 Ford F-150 just after midnight today, but that's hardly enough attention for America's best-selling vehicle. Now that the Blue Oval boys have rolled out the new truck into Cobo Arena - with help from Toby Keith and a cast of characters - we see little reason to think that the F-series won't retain its crown.
Improving the F-150 "truck-ness" are several features, such as the tailgate step that we appreciated so much on larger Super Duty, and new fold-down steps that can be accessed from the side of the truck. Considering how deep the box is on this truck, the steps will definitely come in handy on the ranch or at the grocery store.
Ford's slick Integrated Trailer Brake Controller is now available on a half-ton truck for the first time, and Trailer Sway Control helps keep the vehicle on the road while towing so that hopefully you won't need to experience the effectiveness of Roll Stability Control and side-curtain airbags. Tow and payload ratings are as-yet announced; we expect to hear more by the Chicago Auto Show next month.
More after the jump...
The mechanical bits are improved as well, with an available six-speed automatic that now matches Toyota's offering, and a new frame that is lighter yet improves torsional rigidity by 10% (not that the frame of the outgoing model was a wet noodle). There's no word yet on power figures for the 5.4L Triton, but expect Ford to bring up the tail end of the pack until Boss and EcoBoost engines arrive in a couple of years. Yes, the V6 is gone, but let's be honest - most of us are not buying a full-size truck with an antiquated and underpowered six-banger unless we happen to start a fleet or the dealer offers a ridiculous discount. Despite the substitution of a 2-valve 4.6L V8 as the low-end engine, fleet mileage is said to improve by 1 MPG, which hopefully reflects an economy increase for the higher-end motors.
Inside, the six-inch stretch applied to the SuperCrew's cab offers a truly impressive amount of room for a four-door half-ton pickup. It's fitting with an appropriately large center console, which is capable of swallowing a couple of laptops, a respectable number of tools, or a lot of beer (we kid, we kid!).
The most controversial aspect of the new F-150 is the exterior styling. In person, it doesn't look like anything but a Ford truck, so let's stop with "It looks like a bla bla bla..." right now. For our tastes, though, we see too much influence from Ford's smaller SUVs, and way too little Super Duty. Opinions will certainly vary on this matter. Video of the 2009 F-150 reveal is available after the jump.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
F150XL 1:26AM (1/30/2008)
WOW, back and fort on who makes the best truck, I have a 04 reg cab 8' XL 4x4 with the 4.6. I needed a work truck and being almost 6ft tall and 300+ the ONLY reg cab truck on the face of this planet to have a real wide and long cab, I was sold. I hope the diesel gets 25+ because 17-19 hwy is good but 23-25 is better, I didn't see if they kept the reg cab with the little door, but if they did and they put the diesel in it, I'm sold again!
Looks good, they could have left the fender well sculpting to GM though.
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DALLAS 8:04PM (6/22/2008)
DON'T BUILD A REGULAR CAB F150 IT'S TO SMALL AND DROP THE 4 SPEED AUTO'S AND 4.6L ENGINES
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Beverly 6:33PM (9/16/2008)
I think this truck rocks! If you need it to work, it has all the right stuff. I work in the industry and a stiff frame is the foundation to build on. Ford has more technology built into this truck than any of the competitors. And Tundra --- gosh if I were Toyota I'd be embarrased to admit it was mine!
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boomboom 5:52PM (10/19/2008)
As far as the new fords I will save my opinion till I see one in the flesh,I grew up on a farm with fords my dad had a 1964 f100 and it was retired with 475,000 miles I worked at the local chevy dealership for about 9 year I could tell you some stories.all this ford bashing over the years is only hear say most people that run them down has never had a ford.Toyota is not better products it is what we are led to believe wait till they buy a $400.00 waterpump or a $600.00 starter then they begin to understand.I have owned every make out there and I always come back to ford.and before someone says why did you have so many brands I like to try new things not for any other reasons.Thanks
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J.Crew 12:33PM (1/13/2008)
I can't say I am impressed with this truck by these and other photos I have seen. ...and really?? They displayed a gold version... gold? How ugly is that thing just based on the color alone? That is not how you launch your most important vehicle in your company.
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Carlos 2:39PM (1/13/2008)
What 'Gold' version are you talking about??? - I just see Red, black, blue, silver and yellow F-150s in the photos.
The yellow truck is probably set up as an example of a work truck. The rest of the trucks most likely sport the most popular color for that trim level / target market.
#1CHAMP 4:41PM (1/13/2008)
Hey J.Crew (is your screen pic of a nissan maxima while you are trying to talk about trucks?) First off there are only 2 pics out of 57 of a gold truck. Secondly, go somewhere else and bash someone else. Like toyota for example with their flimsy tailgate and camshaft issues on the new tundra. Or the nissan titan, which was outsold by the Ford Ranger last year for heavens sake, cannot beleive some of the guys on these posts trying to be internet thugs. Not impressed! Have a nice day.
J.Crew 8:42PM (1/15/2008)
Hey Champ, I guess I really got under your skin there. Sorry if I offended you, but I am no bully. Read all of my comments by clicking on my name and you will see where my loyalty is. I call it as I see it and I personally think showing a gold truck at the world premier of Ford's most important vehicle is dumb. It is not a yellow work truck as Carlos is thinking as it says "STX" on the rear.
The car in my photo is a Nissan Altima, not a Maxima, but what does that have to do with anything either way? You have an old truck in your photo so that must mean you have no idea about cars? Get real.
I agree 100% on the Toyota and how their product launch sucked with quality issues. I talk smack at Toyota all the time for their problems. The Titan is a better truck than the Tundra and I don't care how many Rangers are sold as it is a dinosaur. It is a quality built dinosaur that covers the small truck market where everyone else has moved on to bigger mid-sized trucks so it has no direct competitors. I think the Ranger should be totally redesigned, but kept the same size as it is doing really well.
BTW - I would prefer a GMC Sierra Denali over all the trucks on the market right now.
MemphisNET 12:34PM (1/13/2008)
I think its interesting that they gave up the V6 - if only because it must not have affected avg. corporate numbers by much if any.
The 6speed is a very nice addition. Dodge ''only'' has the 5, but its a pretty solid unit and all the quirks of the 03/04 ones are gone.
Meh, the F150 is vanilla. Not bad, but I'll take the RAM or GMT900 Twins over it.
Now where's my Tahoe-based RAM Charger :D
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AZMike 1:10PM (1/13/2008)
I'm always confused about all the big-to-do about how many speeds an automatic transmission has.
my '06 Ram (5.7L HEMI) has a five speed automatic, and quite honestly, I can't tell the difference between this and the four speed automatic my last Ram had. I'd be perfectly happy with a three-speed with a lockup torque converter. for me, simplicity equals durability, and cheap maintenence. high tech stuff is great for tiny cars; leave it off the trucks.
I could see this being an important feature if you were trying to get a little teeny engine to do a bigger job than it should, but if the engine is big enough for the job, the transmission doesn't really make much difference.
if my truck is moving, it has a trailer behind it, and is pulling at least 5,000 pounds. a "short" trip for me is 7,000 miles in less than ten days, and that covers every type of terrain and altitude. I would imagine by now (68,000 miles) that I would see a dramatic difference between the four and five speed automatic, but I don't see any.
the one thing I don't like about the five speed automatic is having both the "tow/haul" and "O/D off" switches on the end of the gear shift lever. you have to punch the button twice to get to the "O/D off". I've never even needed the "tow/haul" mode, even pulling up steep mountain grades with a 45MPH headwind.
I applaud GM for keeping the four-speed automatic for as long as they have.
AZMike
MikeW 2:27PM (1/13/2008)
Well Chrysler's 545RFE was a 4 speed automatic, and then was reworked, via software in '01 (and also via retrofit flash update), to get an extra (taller) overdrive ratio. 2/3 in addition to 3/4.
The % difference from 4th-0.75 to 5th-0.667 is 88.89%, that is virtually imperceptible. For comparison, the jump from 6th to 7th in the MB 7g-tronic is only 88.78%
Chrysler should have redone the axle ratios to split the difference from the gain of ratio spread [from 4:1 to 4.5:1]
Instead of spliting the gain in mileage to 1/2 city, 1/2 highway, chrysler went all highway, no city, with no gain in acceleration.
The ring/pinion could have went up to 9/8 the current. (1.125 X [insert axle ratio here] ala 3.55 = 3.99375). So up to 3.92 could have been used for rear drive, but no gain in highway mileage & reduced NVH. So 3.73 would have been correct, and who doesn't like 0.5 second off the 1/4 time.
1.125 x 3.73 = 4.19625. So 3.92 for 4x4 model would have been appropriate, and also 0.5 second off the 0-60 time.
Tow/Haul mode should, by default, lock out 5th gear, so that when you use OD off in tow haul, you downshift to 3rd 1:1. (perfect for up & down steep hills)
OD off when not in tow/haul should only downshift from 5th (0.667) to 4th (0.75).
Luke 3:03PM (1/13/2008)
Mike, Mike, Mike. A 4-speed is better than a 5 or 6? LMAO! You would applaud GM for keeping their 4-speed.
Closer gear ratios are much, much better for driving, towing, and fuel economy. In order to get those closer ratios, you'll need a 5- or 6-speed.
MemphisNET 3:21PM (1/13/2008)
I agree with the GM 4speed comment. That is one solid piece and it works just fine. I think my original comment was that on paper, people are going to think bigger-better-faster-more. I didn't say the HEMI needs it. I would hope that when they do move to a 6, they make that last gear very tall for improved hwy/low-load economy.
MikeW 3:59PM (1/13/2008)
GM needs the 6L80 with their 5.3 in the silverado now!
4L60 (65 & 70) Wide ratio 4 speed auto 4.4:1
3.059, 1.625, 1, 0.696. Reverse 2.294
1-2 53.1%, 2-3 61.5%, 3-4 69.6%
6L80-normal 6:1 ratio spread 6 speed auto.
4.027, 2.364, 1.532, 1.152, 0.852, 0.667, reverse 3.064
1-2 58.7%, 2-3 64.8%, 3-4 75.2%, 4-5 74%, 5-6 78.3%
6th gear is for unladen cruising, say 40mph per 1000rpm. That would put 60mph in 6th at 1500, 5th at just above 1900rpm, 4th-2600, 3rd-3450, 2nd-5300
5.3 V8 315hp@5200, 338ft-lbs@4400
With a 3.42 axle ratio and H rated 265/70 17 tires,
1st-30mph, 2nd-60mph, 3rd-100mph, 4th-130mph (gov/drag limited), 5th-120mph (drag limited), 6th-110mph (drag)
Car Guy 12:41PM (1/13/2008)
"America's best-selling vehicle"
Wow. Just. Wow.
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Tagg 12:45PM (1/13/2008)
I really like this truck in trim other than the Platinum. The tailgate looks nicely done inspite of the extra large Ford oval and has some nice features like the bed step. Other features like the flat interior floor while simple is nice along with new six speed shows that some thought went into this truck.
It will be interesting if not humorous to read the moronic comments that will be posted about the gold color being bad (not knowing how to launch a truck?!?!) or Ford is "clueless" because the market is moving away trucks (but still sell in the 600,000+).
Regardless of what people may say or think because we know many said the previous model was "terrible" this truck will sell and sell very well.
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J.Crew 1:04PM (1/13/2008)
I think they do have some nice features built into the truck like the extra steps to access the bed. I am sure it will sell well based on its past reputation alone. I never stated it was not going to sell well either so don't make up sh*t that I did not say. I like Ford and want them to do well. All I am saying is that this does not move ahead far enough as its competitors are doing things better. The gold color IS a dumb choice when you are displaying your most important vehicle to the public for the first time.
Tagg 2:40PM (1/13/2008)
Where specifically did I say that you said is wouldn't sell? You need to try reading before shooting off your mouth with obsenities and tring to look tough typing on the computer. What I am saying is in general, not just what you said. The only thing I pointed you said was about the color so calm down.
doug 12:55PM (1/13/2008)
The loss of the V6 is no big deal, it was only available on the regular cab 4x2 anyway. The 2v V8 was the entry V8 already, Ford just added the 3v as a mid range - it should put out close to 300hp as it does in the Explorer already.
Now with a bigger crewcab and all the other new features, the F150 should be fully competitive, except for max power of the 5.4 V8.
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Paul P. 12:57PM (1/13/2008)
This truck would have been a lot better if they brought out the new engines with its introduction. There is nothing about this truck that would make me want to buy it over the previous generation, nor over any other truck out there really.
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