GLOVES OFF; Ford prepares to defend its crown as champ of the heavyweight haulers.(News)

Byline: PHIL FLORADAY

There's a load riding on the F-Series Super Duty pickups, literally and figuratively. They are a source of much-needed profit for Ford and represent about 40 percent of the heavy-duty segment.

Ford hopes the Super Duty can carry its light-truck sales until the F-150 is redesigned next year. Stiff competition from Chevy's Silverado and the finally full-size Toyota Tundra could cost Ford some half-ton sales in the coming months, while heavy-duty competition from Chevy, Dodge and Toyota is not far behind.

Refining the line for increased comfort and luxury was an important part of the design process. The folks in Dearborn figure owners now spend so much time in their trucks that offering a cozy interior is mandatory. Perhaps those who strictly haul for a living don't need a rear-seat DVD player, but families vacationing with a travel trailer will appreciate the option. And everyone will like new touches such as the available tailgate step and stowable bed extender.

A standard auxiliary input increases soundtrack choices, while chrome accents brighten the cabin. Opting for the DVD-based nav system is probably worthwhile if you haul your camper to new destinations on a regular basis. Sound-deadening materials are abundant, and there is little wind noise considering the truck's size.

All the interior refinement in the world won't sell trucks without a serious mill under the hood. To that end, Ford equips base trucks with a 5.4-liter V8 that puts out 300 ponies and 365 lb-ft of torque. About 75 percent of the trucks will roll from the factory with the new 6.4-liter PowerStroke V8, a $6,895 option. This oil burner makes 350 hp and a jaw-dropping 650 lb-ft of stump-pulling power on ultra-low-sulfur diesel or B5 biodiesel, an upgrade of 25 hp and 80 lb-ft over the 6.0-liter PowerStroke. The power increase comes with a minor decrease in fuel economy, says Ford (trucks in this class don't carry EPA ratings). The engine uses technology such as piezoelectric injectors, a ...