Torque Wars: 2017 Ford Super Duty Diesel To Top Ram 2500

Adam Tonge
by Adam Tonge

Last week, Ford announced that the F-150’s new 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 puts out more torque than V8-powered segment rivals. While that was exciting news for full-size truck buyers, Ford wasn’t done. Someone in Dearborn wants all of the torques. This morning, Ford escalated the twist wars by releasing engine and towing specifications for its updated Super Duty trucks.

Snatching the torque crown from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the 2017 F-Series Super Duty will be available with an updated 6.7-liter V8 turbo diesel that makes a class-leading 925 pounds-feet of torque. That beats the Ram 2500’s 900 lb-ft, when equipped with the venerable Cummins 6.7-liter inline six turbo diesel.

Ford’s diesel horsepower is also increased, to a best-in-class 440 hp. Not wanting to leave any torque stone unturned, the gas-powered 6.2-liter V8’s output grows to a best-in-class 430 lb-ft. Both engines will send their copious amounts of power through a new TorqShift-G six-speed automatic transmission.

The Super Duty’s upgraded power numbers, and a frame that is up to 24 times stiffer than the outgoing model, translates into class-leading towing and payload numbers. Maximum tow ratings are now 21,000 pounds for conventional towing, 27,500 for fifth-wheel towing, and 32,500 pounds when towing with a gooseneck. Maximum payload is now a ridiculous 7,630 pounds on the F-350. F-250 buyers will have to make do with a 4,200 pound payload capacity — 600 pounds more than the nearest rival.

The Super Duty’s maximum gross combined weight rating for truck and trailer is now 41,800 pounds. According to Ford, that is more than half the maximum weight of an 18-wheeler semi-tractor trailer combination on most federal highways.

Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant will start building the 2017 F-Series Super Duty this month,with sales beginning this fall.

[Image: Ford Motor Company]

Adam Tonge
Adam Tonge

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  • EBFlex EBFlex on Jul 19, 2016

    Ok that much torque and no mention if it can handle a McDonalds food run or picking little jimmy up from his after school activities. Honestly though this torque war has gone from ridiculous to down right reckless. People do not need that much power...especially in a half assed truck. This is a lot like the megapixel wars that digital cameras went through a few years ago. Megapixels were growing and growing to numbers that were completely unnecessary. The camera manufacturers them discovered that you can improve other elements of the camera and still increase picture quality while not relying on an outrageous amount of megapixels. This is the exact same thing. But, as if Fords usual behavior. As long as they can win the war on paper, that's all that matters.

    • See 2 previous
    • Raph Raph on Jul 19, 2016

      "Honestly though this torque war has gone from ridiculous to down right reckless. People do not need that much power…especially in a half assed truck." There are a lot of hidden nannies going on in there euphemistically described as torque management. That ain't your daddy's 950 ft/lbs! Just like the 500+ horsepower cars of today aren't like the 500+ horsepower cars of yester year. The best example I've seen of this is the electronic throttle cars compared to previous cars that used a mechanical connection from the pedal to the throttle. The latter is way more immediate in its response compared to the former and can get you into trouble a lot more quickly.

  • Flipper35 Flipper35 on Jul 19, 2016

    A quick question Adam, are these SAE towing specs or manufacturer supplied specs? I know Ford hasn't always been real keen on using SAE in the past.

    • See 1 previous
    • Flipper35 Flipper35 on Jul 20, 2016

      @Lou_BC Thanks, the article wasn't clear and the manufactures haven't been honest about it in years past. Good to know they all are, it makes it easier to compare.

  • 3-On-The-Tree I’m sure they are good vehicles but you can’t base that on who is buying them. Land Rovers, Bentley’ are bought by Robin Leaches’s “The Rich and Famous” but they have terrible reliability.
  • SCE to AUX The fix sounds like a bandaid. Kia's not going to address the defective shaft assemblies because it's hard and expensive - not cool.
  • Analoggrotto I am sick and tired of every little Hyundai Kia Genesis flaw being blown out of proportion. Why doesn't TTAC talk about the Tundra iForce Max problems, Toyota V35A engine problems or the Lexus 500H Hybrid problems? Here's why: education. Most of America is illiterate, as are the people who bash Hyundai Kia Genesis. Surveys conducted by credible sources have observed a high concentration of Hyundai Kia Genesis models at elite ivy league universities, you know those places where students earn degrees which earn more than $100K per year? Get with the program TTAC.
  • Analoggrotto NoooooooO!
  • Ted “the model is going to be almost 4 inches longer and 2 inches wider than its predecessor”Size matters. In this case there is 6” too much.
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