2003 Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty

For many years, the F-Series pickup has been the leading seller among all vehicles sold in the U.S. In addition, it's helped fill the Ford coffers with loads of profit. While last redesigned for the 1997 model year, sales volume for the F-series has continued to grow despite only minor upgrades since its introduction.

This new purpose-built V-8 diesel engine puts out 325 hp at 3,300 rpm, 560 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm and is mated to the new TorqShift 5-speed automatic transmission.

For 2003, Ford decided to spend some of its F-Series profits on the very vehicle that helped make the cash. The major change comes in the form of a new Power Stroke diesel engine built by International. As the builder of excellent heavy duty trucks, International also manufactures some of the best diesel engines on the road today including the current 7.3-liter V-8 Power Stroke diesel used in Ford Super Duty pickups since 1994.


This new purpose-built V-8 diesel engine displaces 6.0-liters and was first shown in the Ford F-350 Tonka concept truck earlier this year. It puts out 325 horsepower at 3,300 rpm and 560 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm, which compares quite favorably with the 250 horsepower and 525 lb.-ft. of torque for the current 7.3-liter diesel engine. The overhead valve design features 32 valves, a cast-iron block and cylinder heads, and a common-rail fuel injection system. Technological advancements abound including an electronically variable turbocharger whose vanes automatically adjust to optimize the airflow within the turbo. This helps deliver the proper amount of boost to match driving conditions, while increasing power output and fuel economy.


Ford says even though the new engine gives up 1.3-liters of displacement, it offers 10 percent better fuel economy, 20 percent lower emissions, and is 20 percent quieter than the 7.3. The 6.0 diesel is just what Ford needs to claim best-in-class bragging rights against Dodge's new 5.9-liter diesel (305-horsepower, 555 lb.-ft. torque) and GM's two-year old 6.6-liter diesel (300-horsepower, 520 lb.-ft.).

All F-250 and F-350 trucks continue in Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab configurations with several minor modifications and additions to the Super Duty lineup.

While the 7.3-liter V-8 offers good performance, it's quite noisy both at idle and on the road at speed. To solve this problem, International integrated a pilot injection system into the new 6.0-liter engine. This setup delivers a small amount of fuel into the combustion chamber prior to the main injection which smoothes and quiets combustion; making the 6.0-liter diesel one of the quietest diesel engines we've driven. Off-the-line acceleration is more than adequate, while passing power is equally as impressive.