RSS Official: Ford updates Power Stroke diesel V8, strengthens F-450, tweaks King Ranch

[Ringo64]

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, Off-Road

Ford is giving its F-Series Super Duty trucks some upgrades for 2015, and we're happy to say that one of them is an improved Power Stroke diesel V8. Also, Ford is strengthening the top-of-the-line F-450 to handle more abuse. And if wild west-style luxury is your thing, the automaker has performed minor cosmetic updates to its King Ranch Edition trucks, as well.

The turbocharged 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 is currently rated at 400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque, and Ford only tells us the new and improved Power Stroke can "produce power beyond today's" engine. What, then, did Ford actually improve upon? First, the Blue Oval swapped in a new, larger turbocharger. The new Garrett GT37 turbine unit is 72.5 millimeters in diameter, eclipsing the old GT32's 64-mm diameter piece. Ford states output increases with the new turbo setup, but since the new turbocharger operates at a lower peak pressure than the old one, the automaker was able to eliminate the wastegate system and reduce the engine's complexity. Ford even redesigned the turbo's oil and cooling lines to make the powerplant simpler. A byproduct of the larger turbo is better engine exhaust braking, which is controlled manually by a button on the dashboard.

Ford claims the upgraded diesel engine is more powerful, more robust, more efficient and more refined than before.

The Power Stroke also gets a new high-pressure fuel pump and injectors that deliver more fuel and improve combustion. To help the engine cope with the added power, it gets a new five-layer head gasket, a new four-layer exhaust-manifold gasket, material added for durability to the cylinder heads, valvetrain and exhaust manifold, stronger piston assemblies and a stronger crankshaft. The six-speed automatic transmission is equipped with a stronger torque converter. All in, Ford claims the upgraded diesel engine is more powerful, more robust, more efficient and more refined than before. But we're still waiting on those horsepower and torque figures.

The F-450 is the biggest and most robust of Ford's Super Duty trucks, and for 2015 it has been revised to better handle its fierce towing capability. Along with a strengthened frame, other upgraded components include rear driveline U-joints, rear leaf springs, front and rear antiroll bars, shocks and new commercial-grade 19.5-inch wheels. Ford's biggest pickup truck also gets its own engine calibration for the Power Stroke diesel.

The Super Duty King Ranch Edition F-Series remains largely the same, except for some cosmetic updates. The "Running W" emblem that adorns King Ranch trucks - and the ranch that inspires them - has received extra attention for 2015. The W is cut out and stitched into the seat backs and center console in a way that makes the emblem look branded. Ford also says that a "richer, lighter shade of Mesa leather" is used for the seats, center console lid, armrests and steering wheel, while the exterior gets a new, darker shade of Caribou paint for the wheel lips, bumpers and lower body.

For more detailed information on Ford's plans for 2015 F-Series Super Duty trucks, read over the press release below. We'll post revised power figures for the improved Power Stroke engine as soon as we get them, so stay tuned.

Continue reading Ford updates Power Stroke diesel V8, strengthens F-450, tweaks King Ranch

Ford updates Power Stroke diesel V8, strengthens F-450, tweaks King Ranch originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Sep 2013 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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