2000 Ford F-250/350 Super Duty: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Ford redesigned its heavy duty full-size trucks last year. Called Super Duty, the new line replaced the F-250HD, F-350 and F-Super Duty models that represented Ford in the over-8500 GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) class.
Against the under-8500 F-150 that bowed for '97, the Super Dutys are bigger and beefier, with unique styling and chassis, roomier cabs, higher payload and tow capacities, and GVWRs ranging from 8800 pounds to 11,200.
The Super Duty F-250 and F-350 pickups offer a choice of 2- or 4-wheel drive, three engines, and regular, extended SuperCab, and 4-door Crew Cab models. Regular pickups come with an 8-foot box that's available on SuperCabs in place of a standard 6.75-foot box. Crew cab models are available with either the long or short bed. Dual rear wheels are a further option for the F-350 chassis. Additionally, chassis-cab and "box delete" versions are available for RV and commercial body "upfitting"; the latter has more widely spaced frame rails than the normal chassis-cab. Also available, but not covered here, are regular and Crew chassis-cabs designated F-450 and F-550. SuperCabs come with four side doors. As on Dodge's big Ram Club Cab, the rear doors are hinged at the back and won't open without the corresponding front door opened first. (Crew Cabs retain four front-hinged doors.) The base XL price level includes a full-width front bench seat; a split bench or individual captain's chairs are available with the uplevel XLT and Lariat trim. The rear bench in SuperCabs folds to make a flat steel load floor.
Unlike previous Ford "heavies," the SDs come with driver-side airbag and antilock brakes. A passenger-side airbag is optional across the board, as is a key-operated "off" switch on regular cabs. All models include 4-wheel disc brakes. All-wheel ABS is standard on over-10,000 GVWR chassis, and is optional in lieu of rear-only ABS on under-10,000 pounders.
Gasoline engines for the SD 250/350 comprise two "Triton" units with single-overhead-camshaft: a 5.4-liter V8 (also offered in the F-150) and a 6.8-liter V10. Horsepower has been increased on these two by 25 and 35 respectively and both team with a standard 5-speed manual transmission; a 4-speed automatic is optional. For maximum economy and pulling power, a 7.3-liter turbodiesel V8 returns. This "PowerStroke" engine mates with a standard 6-speed manual transmission or optional automatic.
Maximum trailering weights are 14,017 pounds for the F-250 and 14,534 for the F-350. Maximum pickup payloads range from 3360 pounds on the 4x4 F-250 regular to 4930 on the 2WD F-350 regular.
As the Super Duty was redesigned last year, changes for 2000 are minimal. They include: the addition of standard rear bumpers, new exterior and interior colors, a lockable spare tire, and front tow hooks.

COMPETITION

With the advent of crossover vehicles the segment has become less defined. Once the domain of work-related heavy-duty pickups, buyers are now demanding that their full-size trucks do double duty. Our Best Buys remain the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra. These trucks offer a wide range of powertrain combinations, plenty of luxury accommodations, and ample towing power--though the GM twins are the only ones to offer full-time 4WD. The big-rig-styled Dodge Ram matches the new Ford and GM models feature for feature but can't match their ride comfort or civility.