Heavy-Duty Pickup · USA · 1999-present

Ford F-Series Super Duty

Ford's HD pickup line (F-250/F-350/F-450/F-550/F-600). Five generations. 6.7L Power Stroke V8 diesel HO 500hp/1200lb-ft. 7.3L Godzilla gas V8 (430 hp).

Verdict
A
Years
1999-present
Generations
1
Segment
Heavy-Duty Pickup

The F-Series Super Duty is Ford's heavy-duty pickup line — F-250 (2500-lb GVWR class), F-350 (3500-lb), F-450 / F-550 / F-600 chassis-cab variants. Five generations spanning 1999-present. Distinct line from F-150 (light-duty). Built at Ford Kentucky Truck Plant (Louisville, KY) and Ohio Assembly Plant (Avon Lake, OH). 1st gen PHN131 (1999-2007): launched 1998 for 1999 model year. 5.4L Triton V8 / 6.8L Triton V10 / 7.3L Power Stroke V8 turbo-diesel (Navistar-built) / 6.0L Power Stroke V8 turbo-diesel (Navistar, replaced 7.3L mid-2003) / 6.4L Power Stroke V8 turbo-diesel (Navistar, replaced 6.0L 2008). 2nd gen P356 (2008-2010): rebodied with stronger frame, three engine choices (5.4L Triton V8, 6.8L Triton V10, 6.4L Power Stroke V8 turbo-diesel — last Navistar-built diesel). 3rd gen P473 (2011-2016): significant restyle. 6.2L Boss V8 gas (385 hp / 405 lb-ft, Ford-built) replacing Triton V8. 6.7L Power Stroke V8 turbo-diesel (390 hp 2011-2014, eventually 440 hp by 2016 — first Ford-engineered Super Duty diesel, ending Navistar partnership). 6-speed TorqShift automatic. 4th gen P558 (2017-2022): aluminum-bodied (echoing F-150's 2015 switch). 6.2L Boss V8 (385 hp), 6.7L Power Stroke (440 hp 2017-2019, 475 hp from 2020), 7.3L Godzilla pushrod V8 gas (430 hp / 485 lb-ft, added 2020 — replacing 6.8L V10 in pickups). 6-speed TorqShift then 10-speed TorqShift automatic from 2020. Tremor off-road trim added 2020 (35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs, FOX shocks, custom dampers). 5th gen P702 (2023-present): 6.8L Godzilla V8 gas (405 hp / 445 lb-ft, base — short-stroke version of 7.3L). 7.3L Godzilla V8 gas (430 hp / 485 lb-ft). 6.7L Power Stroke V8 turbo-diesel (475 hp / 1,050 lb-ft on standard, 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke 500 hp / 1,200 lb-ft — class-leading torque, on Limited trim). 10-speed TorqShift automatic. F-450 / F-550 / F-600 chassis-cab versions for fleet (F-600 added 2020 for higher GVWR with F-550 size). Towing up to 40,000 lb gooseneck with F-450 dual-rear-wheel + 6.7L HO. Trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, Tremor. 2 kW in-bed Pro Power Onboard available. 12-inch infotainment with SYNC 4. Dealer-installed Power Take Off (PTO) provision.


Known issues by generation

Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.

1999-present · Five Generations (1999-present)
  • Navistar 6.0L diesel head-bolt failure (2003-2007)
  • Navistar 6.4L diesel turbo failure (2008-2010)
  • Spark plug ejection on Triton V8/V10 (1st-2nd gen)
  • EGR cooler failures (6.0L / 6.4L diesels)
  • DEF system failures (post-2011 diesels)
  • Frame rust on 1st-2nd gen (road salt)
  • Godzilla 7.3L spark plug wire faults (some)
  • Tremor wheel-bearing wear (oversized tire load)
  • Power liftgate motor failures
  • AC compressor failures (high mileage)

Rivals

Ram 2500/3500 · Chevrolet Silverado HD · GMC Sierra HD · Nissan Titan XD