F150

If you talk to pickup enthusiasts, they are not just folks who like the image of the hard-working utilitarian vehicle; rather, they are individuals who rely on the modern workhorse to get the job done every day.

Since 1948 millions of Ford trucks have been sold, and they have performed more tasks than you can imagine on farms, construction sites and in park districts across America.

Talking to Ford about the F-150 is like talking to the Bulls about Michael Jordan or to the Bears about franchise quarterbacks. On one hand, you knew when you were at the top who got you there, and when things were not going so well you knew where you had to focus to go to the next level.

If ignored, your franchise players can slip away, leaving you wondering what might have been. Well, the folks at Ford decided to be proactive and talk to F-150 owners across the country to get their feedback on what they wanted from their next truck.

What they wanted is what you see in the new 2009 Ford F-150 pickup.

One of the great things about the Ford F-150 is also one of the things that drives me crazy (in a good way). Going in to shop for an F-150 reminds me of shopping for a new computer. There are so many options and variations, looks and designs. You have to start with what suits your day-to-day requirements, then add some fun bells and whistles. The same goes for the F-150 – and it is so much prettier (in a tough, take-no-prisoners way, for sure).

The 2009 Ford F-150 comes in three cab styles: regular, supercab and supercrew; in three V-8 powertrain options; in 6.5-, 5.5- and 8-foot boxes; and in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. Base prices for the 2009 F-150 start at $21,095. That’s a great price to instantly buy you a little cred and a lot of opportunity to turn yourself into one tough cowboy.

I love the styling of the new F-150. It is contemporary without being un-trucklike. That simply means it looks tough, a really important part of any pickup that takes itself seriously. My tester had an impressive chrome package ($1,420) that really amped up the class factor. This may not be the look for the rancher or the park district, but for the road warrior who may never hit the dirt it is a great option.

The engine on my 4x4 supercab was the brutish 24-valve 5.4-liter Triton V-8, which delivered 320 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The power plant was mated to a flawless six-speed automatic. The Environmental Protection Agency mileage per gallon rating was 14/18, not great, but par for the pickup class at this size. The good thing is the 36-gallon fuel tank will help minimize stops.

When talking pickups, you have to mention engine ranges and F-150 has several options in the 16-valve, 4.6-liter 248-horsepower V-8 linked to four-speed automatic with 294 pound-feet of torque and the 24-valve, 4.6-liter V-8 coupled to a six-speed automatic with horsepower ratings of 292 and torque of 320 pound-feet.

I found the big Triton power plant to be extremely responsive in city driving situations and more than capable getting around in highway traffic. I cannot speak for having a serious payload weighing me down, but I get the sense this F-150 is up for anything you can throw at it.

The F-150 cabin offers lots of space and a great design. The dash is thoughtfully laid out in front of the driver. Power adjustable pedals and driver’s seat make getting the perfect seating position a breeze. You sit high in the F-150 and sightlines are good. My tester had a nice rear-view camera option ($450) that made maneuvering the big truck a lot easier.

A long list of options made the interior a great place to be. From the power-sliding back window ($250) and the upgraded six-disc stereo ($300) to the Sirius satellite radio ($195) and the amazing (a $395 must-have) Sync system that allows you to link the command center in the truck to your cell phone and iPod, the new F-150 has really earned all those awards it has garnered so far this year.

The automaker boasts that its all-new 2009 F-150 has a class-leading towing ability of 11,300 pounds and a cargo-carrying rating of 3,030 pounds. According to Ford, improvements to the chassis have helped with torsional rigidity and make delivering the additional payload and towing abilities possible.

Some features worth mentioning are the thoughtful capless fuel filler that automatically opens with the fuel door and seals shut to reduce fueling emissions and a great tailgate step that allows the buyer to easily access the cargo bed with an integrated step ladder – a lot easier than trying to launch yourself into the truck’s bed.

Ford made sure it had all the information it needed about its franchise player; it got feedback on what customers wanted and responded with a great truck. The new F-150 shows it can help Ford stay at the top of the pickup heap for some time to come.