Stop, or I'll Separate You Two: Ford Delivers Another Ram Beatdown in the Ongoing Torque War

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

It’s become a trend. The annual who’s-got-more-twist competition between Ford and Ram is now so regular, so expected, we can even predict by exactly how many foot-pounds the new victor will reign.

Five lb-ft.

Recently announced by Ford, the 2018 Super Duty line’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 wrestles the torque crown back from the Ram Heavy Duty, which had held it for just a year. The exact same scenario played out in the leadup to that particular upset. At this pace, it shouldn’t be too long before American buyers are laying down greenbacks for twist numbers in the four-figure range.

Recall that in 2015, a lifetime ago, Ram’s 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six turbodiesel topped Ford’s Super Duty in terms of torque — 865 lb-ft to Ford’s 860. Ford then upgraded its Power Stroke to 925 lb-ft, forcing Ram to boost the Cummins’ output to 930 lb-ft for the 2017 model year. General Motors, of course, was in the back of the heap, trying in vain to catch up.

Not happy with this situation, Ford’s latest salvo returns it to the top podium. For 2018, the Super Duty’s top engine generates 450 horsepower (an increase of 10 hp) and an all-important 935 lb-ft of torque. The uptick in output comes by way of a cylinder head redesign and a change in fuel and turbo boost calibration.

Regaining the high ground means more bragging rights for the fourth-generation Super Duty, launched (and lightened) for the 2017 model year. Ford now claims best-in-class payload, gooseneck towing, and conventional towing. A 4×2 F-450 model appears for 2018 to bring up the line’s maximum towing capacity. With a gooseneck hitch, this particular model carries a 34,000-pound tow capacity, beating out the Ram 3500’s 31,210-lb capacity. Max payload for Power Stroke Super Dutys stands at 7,630 lbs, squeaking out Ram’s 7,390 lbs (when equipped with the 6.4-liter gas V8).

With a conventional hitch, Ford beats Ram’s towing capacity by 1,000 lbs.

Ownership of that 34,000-pound figure, which necessitates buying the rear-drive 2018 F-450 dually, starts at $54,125 for base XL trim. Availability begins this winter. The model’s newly updated engine mates to a six-speed TorqShift automatic transmission.

Your move, Ram and GM.

[Image: Ford Motor Company]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Detroit-Iron Detroit-Iron on Dec 07, 2017

    I remember learning that a semi made 300-500 horse and wondering how it was possible to pull those trailers. The miracle of torque, obviously. At the time they were making 750 to maybe 1000 pound feet.

    • See 9 previous
    • Mason Mason on Dec 08, 2017

      @Scoutdude Contrary to Ford's delusional and somewhat troubling advertising, very few of them make it anywhere near that long in MD trim. I always wondered how they got away with those statements.

  • Tele Vision Tele Vision on Dec 09, 2017

    "Raw pulling ability is really about horsepower, not torque." Still so wrong. We drive torque on this continent, not horsepower. I've been to Europe and the U.K. five times each - they drive horsepower. Redlined in every gear and gloriously so. Their cars are engineered for it. Ours aren't.

  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
  • Ajla On the Mach-E, I still don't like it but my understanding is that it helps allow Ford to continue offering a V8 in the Mustang and F-150. Considering Dodge and Ram jumped off a cliff into 6-cylinder land there's probably some credibility to that story.
  • Ajla If I was Ford I would just troll Stellantis at all times.
  • Ronin It's one thing to stay tried and true to loyal past customers; you'll ensure a stream of revenue from your installed base- maybe every several years or so.It's another to attract net-new customers, who are dazzled by so many other attractive offerings that have more cargo capacity than that high-floored 4-Runner bed, and are not so scrunched in scrunchy front seats.Like with the FJ Cruiser: don't bother to update it, thereby saving money while explaining customers like it that way, all the way into oblivion. Not recognizing some customers like to actually have right rear visibility in their SUVs.
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