The F-150's silhouette is easy to spot, thanks to its tall bed wall about two inches taller than the previous-generation F-150. Cargo Management System Installed at the factory, Ford's new Cargo Management System available only on short-bed Styleside models consists of two rails, a pair of bins, a pair of crossbars and a header bar. An ominous pall of white smoke drifts across the frontage road. Ford should've dropped in a six-speed to give the H-D F-150 the driving rush of the old Lightning-and not limited top speed to 94 mph. That's a full second and five mph slower than the truck we tested back in 2003-the last model year for the supercharged Harley-Davidson F-150. The downside for the performance package? We don't recommend this engine for towing or hauling heavy loads.
That said, this is still one F-150 SuperCrew that'd be a bad-ass ride for hauling your 105th Anniversary Package V-Rod to Sturgis. It thumps sub-seven-second 0-to-60 runs time after time and posting 15. The Saleen supercharger takes a few moments to roll into full boost. Fleet buyers can opt for a mid-box cargo container that fits between the cab and the bed. It's no slouch on the track, either.
Gone are the long-familiar Ford power steering system and torsion bar front suspension; replacing them are a modern rack-and-pinion steering and front coil-over-shock suspension. That's where you'll find us. Our new Harley-Davidson SuperCrew Saleen F-150 rolls out of the plume of drag-racer's incense, and we're sure we just embedded another 500 miles of the Pirelli Scorpion Zero's tread life in the pavement. Safety-conscious consumers won't care for the lack of side-impact and side-curtain airbags. The tow rating drops to 5300 pounds. As we noted early on, this truck has power.
New options include a factory-installed cargo management system, remote start, manual telescoping trailer mirrors and a rear backup camera which displays its image in the rearview mirror. And where medallions can't be affixed, H-D logos are displayed. If you grew up driving older F-150 models 2004 or prior , you'll be duly impressed by the dead-on steering feel and straight-line tracking of today's F-150s. A look at the Fair Purchase Price shows the typical transaction price being paid for the F-150 in your area, so be sure to give it a look before you set out to buy. Rising fuel prices and a move toward smaller vehicles have forced the company to revise its 2008 F-150 line-up by offering more features and options with an aggressive new pricing strategy.
Of course, this isn't a pure apples-to-apples comparison: The 2003 we tested was a regular cab and this is a SuperCrew. The dash and interior design on the base models look good enough, but the addition of leather, wood, chrome and center console-mounted shifter found on the high-end models combine to raise the bar on the plush pickup concept. Although pumping out a muscle-trucklike 450 horses and 500 pound-feet of torque from the 5. It's strong from about 3500 rpm to the engine's redline. Notable options include a 300-horsepower 5. Dusted Copper is the color for Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary Edition bikes.
If Ford does one thing better than building tough trucks, it's selling them. Those who like to have as much fresh air in the cabin as possible will appreciate the SuperCab's optional rear roll-down windows, a first in this segment. The 2008 Ford F-150 carries over with only minor exterior upgrades. The Regular Cab features a set of small, rear-hinged doors that allow easy access to the narrow space behind the front seat. That comfort extends into the handling. Striping the road isn't really that easy.
Base Regular Cab models are powered by a tepid but fuel-efficient for a big truck V6. The recently redesigned shapely Ford body, egg-crate grille and Blue Oval badging remain intact, surrounded by some new chrome trim and a crop of fresh new colors. The F-150 offers numerous trim levels, engine choices and bed and cab lengths. Determined to keep the F-150 America's best-selling pickup, Ford continues to offer a dizzying array of configurations as well as a new 5. If you like your trucks rough, loud and shaky, this one won't cut it. A beefed-up version of the 4R75E automatic transmission has been assigned to handle the engine's added muscle.
The fat Pirellis are much more likely to grip than slip, which falls perfectly in line with the Harley-Davidson thought process. The F-150 is expected to retain a better-than-average residual value, with the Super Cab models at the top of the chart, followed by the SuperCrew and then the Regular Cab. Small Rear Door Regular Cab models have a small rear door to help load items behind the back seat. Though it looks different, some may find the tall bed walls make it difficult to reach a toolbox from the side of the truck. The combination of these features makes these the best-handling, best-riding F-150s to ever leave a Ford factory.
Not only is the new F-150 better looking inside, it's also more quiet, safe and spacious. But when the tell-tale whine settles in you can feel the surge. Vehicle Details The F-150's interior is as close to car-like as you'll find in any pickup. On a serious note, the 2008 Ford F-150 cannot claim the most horsepower or torque in its class, an important bragging right for some truck owners. However, those crispy shifts don't make up for the extra gears this truck really needs. Despite the low-profile 22s, the performance suspension is tuned remarkably well for city and highway driving.