2014 Ford Super Duty increases tow and payload numbers; new warranty for Ford Genuine and Motorcraft parts

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If you made the annual pilgrimage to the State Fair of Texas, you got a look at the new 2014 Super Duty trucks from Ford.  And, I suspect they may have made your wish list.  I had a chance to drive it at the Texas Auto Writers’ Truck Rodeo last month, and would certainly put it on mine.

2014 Super Duty Platinum

The best selling heavy duty trucks in the US are once again going to catch the eye and capture the imagination of both committed Ford afficienados and those who crave workhorses to tow, haul, be the family truck or work their beds off.  F-Series trucks have been #! sellers in the US for 35 years, and — although the competition has upped their game — I don’t expect that position to change places.

2014 Super Duty Platinum

For ’14, Ford engineers raised their tow capacity numbers to 18,500 lbs., with a increase in payload maximum to 7,200 pounds.  They don’t claim to have towed the shuttle, but they do more than enough to deliver what they claim to be best-in-class in both categories.

Interior of 2014 Super Duty Lariat

A good bit of the credit for the increases goes to an improved brake system that increases the brake rotor swept are by 16.4% in the front and 14.5% in the rear to help dissipate heat, particularly on long downhill grades.  Thermal mass has also been increased for better thermal capacity and fade performance.  Maximum gross vehicle weight rating has been raised 700 lbs. to 14,000 lbs.

Brake feel has also been modified with front and rear hydraulic master cylinders  with larger bores and a returned booster, and larger brake pads.  Available adjustable pedals allow personalization of the driver/brake system interface.

Ford brake system engineer, Michael Watkins, says that with the improved pedal feel there is greater modulation and sense of stopping power.

New warranty for all Ford Genuine and Motorcraft parts

In other Ford news, at the SEMA Show, the company is announcing a new parts warranty on Genuine Ford parts and Motorcraft parts. The upgraded coverage warranties these components for 24 months (unlimited mileage) from the time of purchase or installation.  This applies to general consumers, fleet operators or independent repair facilities.

This is no small thing.  Ford’s previous service parts warranty was for 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever came first) and labor was covered only if the part was installed by a Ford or Lincoln dealership.

This is how it works:

  • if a service part purchased under the new warranty fails and the repair is completed at a Ford or Lincoln dealership, the entire repair cost, labor and towing will be covered
  • if the repair was completed at an independent installer or fleet facility, Ford will reimburse up to $150 in labor with no tow cost covered.
  • in the case of a do-it-yourself customer who handles installation themselves, parts replacement cost is reimbursed.  No labor or towing.
  • at a fleet or installer facility, labor expense is reimbursed up to the $150 number.

 

 

 

 

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