DEARBORN, Mich., May 28, 2002 – Ford Motor Company will introduce a new 5-speed automatic truck transmission called TorqShift® in early 2003.
The 5-speed TorqShift is a newly designed automatic transmission scheduled for production this fall at Ford's Sharonville (Ohio) Transmission Plant, near Cincinnati. The new automatic will be available on mid-2003 model year Ford F-Series Super Duty pickups and Ford Excursion SUV models equipped with Ford’s new 6.0-liter Power Stroke Diesel® engine.
FORD ANNOUNCES NEW 6.0-LITER POWER STROKE DIESEL TRUCK ENGINE
DEARBORN, Mich., May 28, 2002 – Ford Motor Company today announced it will introduce an all-new 6.0-liter V-8 diesel engine and a heavy-duty 5-speed automatic transmission beginning in early 2003 for its F-Series Super Duty pickup and Ford Excursion sport-utility vehicle.
The new, more powerful, cleaner 6.0-liter Power Stroke®
Diesel and new 5-speed TorqShift® automatic transmission will combine to
make a best-in-class 325 horsepower at 3,300 rpm and 550 foot-pounds of
torque at 2,000 rpm.
This Tonka Concept truck may or may not reach production, but it's 2nd Generation 6.0L Power Stroke diesel and 5-speed TORQSHIFT automatic transmission will make it to the 2003 model Super Duty's by mid year 2003 according to Ford. For the whole story join "MrTruck's Insider Club."
Few changes to Ford's Super Duty for 2002.
Ford is not changing much this year. On F250's and above the trailer mirrors will fold both ways, so you can now backup and try to hit the garage door again, backing out as well as driving in. I wish cars had these mirrors. Also standard equipment on automatic transmissions is a tranny temperature gauge. Smart move, but the amp gauge becomes an idiot light to make room for the gauge. The "wait to start" light for the glow plugs on the diesel has moved to the left top side of the instrument cluster and looks like an electrical coil. The standard transmission is now a 6-speed manual in all the Super Duty trucks instead of the 5-speed manual.
My Review: 2000 Ford F250 Super Duty.
The big change to these trucks occurred in
1998. Ford skipped a 98 model and called
it a "99". Ford made dramatic changes
to these trucks as they did to the "97"
F150. They finally intercooled the diesel,
which is the largest in the class. Ford claims
the horsepower to be 235 . Navistar who builds
it says 250 hp. It is 444 cubic inches, 7.3
liters, and 500 pounds of torque. The trucks
have standard 4 wheel disk brakes, if you
have ever changed the rear brakes on a HD
full floating axle you know how much easier
disk pads are and cheaper besides the all
important increased stopping capability.
On the diesel, Ford switched to a hydraulic
brake booster instead of the vacuum booster. That
took away that spongy feeling. The front
axle is wider and a mono beam, "solid
axle", now. Good bye twin traction beam!
So now you can get longer wear from your
front tires with finally, camber adjustment.
Ford did away with the wrap around front
bumper also so you can have front tow hooks
and ease of adding accessories. The cab is
taller and wider. A much larger windshield
and lower door glass. Ford has made these
trucks an ideal trailer puller. The trailer
mirrors, this year with telescoping option
are best in class. A 6 speed manual transmission
is standard on the diesel, with a improved
4R100 automatic tranny replacing the E4OD.
The V-10 is stronger with more horses, 310
instead of last years 275. The torque went
up from 410 to 430. The V-10, 6.8 liter is
a viable option for pulling compared to the
diesel. It is quicker off the line than the
diesel, but the diesel under load is still
the king of the mountain passes.
"In Colorado we like to race each other up I-70 with the biggest trailer we can find". The V-10 is in the E-250 van and the Excursion also so it isn't as easy to find as the diesel. I went to a RV show last year and was surprised to see about half of the class "A" the big one, RV's had the Ford V-10 and Ford automatic tranny's in them. These F250 and F350 are the best steering, handling, shifting, ridding, and quietest trucks Ford has built. Without paying the $4000 extra for the diesel, though it's worth it, you can buy these Super Duties for close, very close to the same price as the F150. GOOD JOB FORD. It only took 50 years to include the spare tire and rear bumper as standard equipment. I'll miss the bench press special, taking off the old spare tire!