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2023 Ford Super Duty: Onboard power + new gas engine

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Better towing power, technology, Pro Power Onboard, exterior styling changes — including integrated bumper STEPS — and more highlight the changes for the 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty lineup of trucks.

The 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty lineup has long been a staple among commercial businesses and consumers. It is also an incredibly big part of Ford Motor Co. by providing more revenue than many other Fortune 500 companies like Southwest Airlines, Marriott International or Nordstrom by itself.

This means Ford pays a lot of attention to these customers, and this new Super Duty adds features aimed at getting the job done faster and easier.

The Ford F-Series Super Duty lineup includes Regular, Super Cab (extended) and Crew Cab configurations and covers the F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600 and chassis cab models. It is available in 2WD and 4WD with either a 6.75-foot or 8-foot bed length. There are dual rear-wheel options as well.

Powertrain changes for 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty

Let’s kick off these changes with the new powertrain choices for the Super Duty. First, the 6.2-liter V-8 gas base engine is replaced by a standard 6.8-liter V-8 gas engine. Second, Ford is going to offer a high-output 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8 engine as well with a unique turbo, upgraded exhaust manifolds and unique tuning.

This means there will be four powertrain choices: 6.8-liter V-8 gas, 7.3-liter V-8 gas, 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel and a high-output 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel.

Ford says it has made improvements in air intake and tuning for the 7.3-liter V-8 and is targeting best-in-class horsepower and torque for a gas engine.

The 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8 engine has also seen a change, allowing for longer intervals between oil changes. 

All of these engines will be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission built by Ford. The automaker also made 4WD standard on all XLT models and above.

We don’t have any official numbers as of this post on the horsepower and torque on these engines.

Exterior styling, interior tech changes

The 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty will look different as well as offer a new entry-level off-road package.

Starting on the exterior, the front grille, available in seven grille designs, has been widened to create more airflow for cooling on heavy loads. It has a more defined “C-clamp” headlight design with LED headlamps available on all trim levels. 

At the sides and the rear, we have STEPS! Yes, the 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty will borrow the common-sense idea from General Motors, adding bumper steps and side-bed steps for easier access to the rear of the bed. Along with the tailgate pullout ladder system Ford is known for, the Super Duty will offer a few ways to access the bed.

On the inside, buyers will find these:

  • 8-inch center display comes standard on the XL model
  • 12-inch display comes standard on higher trims
  • Customizable 12-inch digital instrument cluster
  • Four USB power ports and available wireless charging pad
  • Center console slot holds a tablet upright to make using it easier when parked
  • Max Recline Seats that fold almost horizontal and lift the seat bottom up for a nearly flat surface to maximize comfort during downtime
  • 640-watt, eight-speaker B&O Sound SystemTM or an optional 1,080-watt, 18-speaker B&O Unleashed Sound System by Bang & Olufsen

New XL Off-Road package, Tremor package change

Next on the list of changes, there is a new XL Off-Road Package available on F-250 and F-350 trucks with 4×4. This package is aimed at the entry-level truck buyer who needs a bit more off-road capability. This package includes 33-inch tires, a raised air dam, water-fording axle vent tubes, skid plates and an electronically locking rear differential. 

Also, Ford has made added Trail Turn Assist to the Super Duty Tremor Off-Road package, which includes a front-end lift, uniquely tuned suspension, Dana front axle with limited-slip differential, 35-inch Goodyear tires, unique 18-inch wheels, Trail Control and selectable drive modes like rock-crawl mode.

The Trail Turn Assist works by locking either rear wheel to allow you to effectively turn tighter making tight trails easier to navigate. 

Also, there are new STX, Sport and Black Appearance Packages available with unique trim, wheel and paint combinations for a bit more style.

Pro Power Onboard + push-button equipment operation

One of the big questions for the new 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty has to do with the Pro Power Onboard generator found in the half-ton truck. Would the Super Duty get the ability to boondock like the half-ton? Nope, but it does offer some power and a nifty trick for the infotainment screen for upfitters.

First, the Pro Power Onboard is available on the Super Duty in the form of a 2.0-kWh output plug in the rear of the bed. For those following along, this is the lowest output plug offered on the F-150 and the reason it isn’t more powerful is due to the lack of a hybrid powertrain. However, a 2.0-kWh output plug sure beats the typical low voltage plug found in most trucks and is enough to help power a job site or a tailgate party. 

Second, there is a new Ford Pro Upfit Integration System. This is a pretty slick deal with upfitters able to link to software inside the infotainment system to operate equipment attached to the power take off such as utility cranes and plows.

This means you will be able to control your equipment from inside the cabin rather than hopping out to use a secondary control system or hardwire your own equipment.

New towing technology

With towing a big part of owning a Super Duty, Ford is putting its best safety and driver assistance technologies into the truck.

For example, Ford has a suite of available safety and towing ease features:

  • Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch that estimates cargo weight in real time and provides guidance on trailer tongue weight distribution directly on the center touchscreen, FordPass™ app or within the taillamps
  • 360-Degree Trailer Camera System* that provides a bird’s-eye view of the trailer to make maneuvering in tight spaces easier and with virtually no blind spots
  • Blind Spot Information System for 5TH Wheel & Gooseneck* that can be attached to a trailer to help identify when vehicles are next to a trailer and indicate this in the side view mirrors
  • Industry-First Available Tailgate Down Camera and Tailgate Down Reverse Sensing System includes a new camera and reverse sensors in the top of the tailgate that provide visual and audible alerts when the tailgate is down to make backing up to a dock or hitching a gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailer easier than ever before
  • Pro Trailer Hitch Assist automatically backs the truck up and aligns the conventional hitch ball to the trailer receiver
  • Trailer Navigation plots routes that can be safely navigated with given trailer dimensions and weight to avoid potential issues with low bridges and tight turns

Trailer towing routes filtered by size?

In the “why I didn’t think of that” category of improvements is a navigation system that works with towing.

Imagine this. You are towing a camper when you get to a spot with a low bridge or similar height restriction or maybe a really tight turn you’d have to try to navigate. Now you get the fun adventure of navigating that camper to find a way around the obstacle.

With Ford’s Trailer Navigation system, it takes the height and width of your camper in mind then plans a route avoiding any low height obstacles or tight turns. That’s just a smart integration of technology to address a problem in the future from ever happening. A small, but useful update for new Super Duty buyers.

New Safety, Security Technology

Besides just towing, Ford has thought about the everyday use of a Super Duty and added available features to make life easier.

These new technologies include:

  • Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering automatically brakes and accelerates to a preset speed and helps keep the truck in its lane
  • Trailer Theft Alert will send an alert via the FordPass app should anyone attempt to disconnect the trailer when the truck is locked
  • Vehicle Security, available with a Ford Pro Telematics subscription, uses sensors to monitor impact and towing events and sends alerts even when the vehicle is off
  • Fleet Start Inhibit allows Ford Pro customers to schedule timeframes for when the vehicle can be started to improve confidence around fleet operations
  • Forward/Reverse Sensing System helps drivers by showing objects immediately in front of the vehicle and warns when objects are near the front or rear of the vehicle
  • Front and Rear Brake Assist helps prevent low-speed collisions to help automatically protect against hitting objects that may otherwise be hard to see
  • Full-color head-up display helps keep eyes on the road by showing information right in the driver’s line of sight that changes with driving mode

Fastest modem ever

Speaking of technology, the new Super Duty will come with a 5G capable modem embedded into the truck. This is the first pickup with a 5G modem according to Ford.

What does this mean for consumers? A few keys things like faster mapping on the navigation system, faster WiFi for working or camping remotely and software updates while you are driving, not just when you are parked at home overnight.

New Ford Pro integration

Finally, Ford is offering more integration than ever with the F-Series Super Duty and commercial operations.

With the Ford Pro software, businesses will be able to find a suite of features to see their fleet of vehicles in a more comprehensive way. They can see things like how fast the driver was going, how long they were idled and be alerted if the vehicle was in an accident. Businesses can also use the Fleet Start Inhibit to schedule time frames when a vehicle can be in operation. 

The 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty is built at Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, and Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, Ohio. Pricing will be available closer to launch in early 2023.

The bottom line

The crown jewel of profit for the company, the 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty changes should keep it on top of the heavy-duty truck market as well as push its competition to do even more like the Pro Power Onboard generator and the trailer towing navigation.

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Tim Esterdahl

Automotive Journalist Tim Esterdahl has been a lover of trucks and SUVs for years. He has covered the industry since 2011 and has pieces in many national magazines and newspapers. In his spare time, he is often found tinkering on his '62 C10 pickup, playing golf, going hunting and hanging out with his wife and kids in Nebraska.

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2 Comments

  1. Anonymous September 29, 2022

    All that new technology is going to cause this truck to have horrible reliability.

    Reply
  2. Brian October 1, 2022

    Hey Tim , can you please get us some information on the f250 XLT ‘s. Interiors and features. Haven’t seen anyone address them yet. I’m waiting to order my XLT asap . Thank you

    Reply

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