Used 2014 Ford F350

The need for power and might in full-size pickup will likely cease when either gravity is reversed or the planet goes dark. Until such time, the 2014 Ford Super Duty line of pickups will continue to flourish anywhere big jobs need gettin’ done. Although the Super Duty faces stiff competition from Chevy and Ram, the imports have yet to stake a claim in the world of three-quarter and one-ton trucks. As such, the Super Duty has earned a pretty loyal following, but to win over Ram and Chevy converts Ford sweetens the deal with a powerful line of gasoline and diesel engines, best in class conventional towing and payload, plus a number of innovative features aimed at improving comfort and safety.

That the 2014 Ford Super Duty has an abundance of horsepower and torque is not in question. How it holds up over time, however, is equally important. To ensure the Super Duty doesn’t shake itself apart, Ford includes each truck with a fully-boxed frame, thicker crossmembers and beefed-up C-Channel frame rails. The stiffer the chassis, the less prone to flexing and twisting, helping the Super Duty not only accomplish its towing and hauling tasks, but keeping to a minimum the number of squeaks and rattles that develop in the cabin over time. Despite its massive size and weight, the 2014 Ford Super Duty is quite stable and surprisingly easy to maneuver. The feel from the steering wheel is heavy, but direct with no play or vagueness. Toss in the available 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel and the Super Duty ups its conventional tow rating to an astounding 18,500 pounds, and 24,700 using a 5th wheel (F-450).

As you might expect in a vehicle whose trims and prices range so widely – from just over $31,000 for a basic F-250 XL trim to nearly $70,000 for an F-450 Platinum edition – the 2014 Ford Super Duty’s cabin ranges from Spartan to luxurious. In regular-cab form, seating is limited to three passengers. Crew cab and super cab models can seat up to six passengers, or five when equipped with two individual front seats and a center console. Lower-trim models have basic vinyl seating that can take a beating and clean up easily, while premium leather can be had on the other end of the Super Duty spectrum.

Ford’s Super Duty trucks exude their big and brawny nature, from the massive front grille to the equally large tailgate stamped with "SUPER DUTY" on the bottom. These trucks can be configured with 6-and-3/4-foot or 8-foot beds, and with regular, super cab, or crew cabins. F-450 models come with two pairs of rear wheels that enable it to carry extreme loads. It’s safe to call even the smallest of the Super Duty models large. A regular-cab model, which is fitted with an 8-foot bed and qualifies as the shortest, is 227.6 inches in length, while the longest comes in at 263 inches. At nearly 22 feet, that latter model is nearly seven feet longer than a Honda Civic. If you plan to park this truck in your garage, take some measurements first.

SYNC WITH MYFORD TOUCH
Ford’s SYNC is more than just an easy way to organize music, navigation and cell phone calls – it’s an important safety feature that lets the driver do all the aforementioned tasks while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. By reading incoming messages, SYNC can help avoid the distraction caused when trying to text and drive.

INTERIOR ACCOUTREMENTS
A heated steering wheel and cooling front seats are features expected of a premium luxury sedan, but finding them inside the 2014 Ford Super Duty trucks is an unexpected pleasure.

As mentioned with the interior, what you get in your Super Duty varies greatly on trim. On the lower end of the spectrum, XL models are sparse and definitely work-oriented with heavy-duty vinyl seats, manual-control air conditioning, and an audio system limited to an AM/FM radio with two speakers. A CD player is optional in that trim, as are cruise control and power windows. The standard engine on F-250 and 350 models is Ford’s 6.2-liter gasoline V8, while F-450 models get the 6.7-liter V8 diesel. Upper trims have equipment such as heated and cooled premium leather seats, a navigation system and a Sony premium audio system. All Super Duty trucks feature trailer sway control and roll stability control.

Optional on all F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks is the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbodiesel whose power just might give gravity a run for its money. Other options vary with trim level, and many are geared toward the duties for which you plan to use your truck. An extra-heavy-duty alternator is available, as is an engine block heater. Models with diesel engines can be equipped with a Live Drive Power Takeoff to run auxiliary equipment such as a snowplow, truck lift, or cement mixer. Tow-prep packages for traditional hitches and 5th-wheel setups are available, and Super Duty trucks with the diesel engine have an exhaust brake feature like the kind used in big rigs when descending steep grades.

The 2014 Super Duty is available with two V8 engines, a 6.2-liter gasoline unit that is the base powerplant or, for those needing maximum power, a 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel. Both are fitted to a 6-speed automatic transmission and can be had in 2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive. Models with the gasoline engine run on regular unleaded and are also E85 compatible. An option package can make the Super Duty’s gasoline engine capable of running on compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), but does not include the fuel tanks or other equipment. In diesel models, Ford says nitrogen oxide levels are reduced more than 80 percent vs. previous generations. The EPA does not give fuel-economy ratings for either of these engines.

6.2.-liter V8
385 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
405 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

6.7-liter turbodiesel V8
400 horsepower @ 2,800 rpm
800 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A