Our spies have caught a half-dressed engineering mule of what’s believed to be the 2011 Ford F-150 Lariat Limited… By the time we see the production version of the 2011 Lariat Limited, we expect the lower front air dam will be body color. The wheels may change to a different style or they’ll be painted with body color accents. The diamond mesh grille is likely to stay the same as shown, to differentiate it from the Harley F-150. It’s identical to the 2010 Ford F-150 Lariat’s grille. What else is the Lariat Limited package likely to come with? Though the pictures show a single awkward looking exhaust tip, the side view shows it’s really two pipes merged into one. Based on that and the loud exhaust note, we expect the Lariat Limited will feature Ford’s all-new 6.2-liter premium V-8 engine, as Ford rolls that engine out to high-end F-150 models.

Check out the article @ http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-f-150-lariat-limited.html

The generically-named Ford Custom Graphics are a series of vinyls that can be used to add a little extra something to your blue oval beauty. Ford says the graphics are scratch-resistant and weatherproof, and retain the car’s 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty. They will be sold exclusively through Ford dealers.

Check out FordCustomGraphics.com for details, or see this post at AutoBlog.

And in other news, information was leaked that the 2011 Mustang GT will get a 5.0 engine with 412hp. We suspect you’ll see a 5.0 V8 engine return to the F-150 as well. Expect the 6.2L V8 engine to be available on the Raptor and Super Duty only. More 5.0 info, again, at AutoBlog.

The bigger engine will cost $3,000 more than the standard engine. “The order bank for 6.2-liter Raptors is estimated to open around Dec. 25 [at Ford dealers nationwide],” said Mark Grueber, marketing manager for Ford.

Thanks to PickupTrucks.com for the news story.

The Freedom Truck, a dark navy blue Ford F-150 Super Crew Lariat, is highlighted by a series of murals painted over the past three months by internationally renowned airbrush artist Mickey Harris.

The truck will be showcased on military events, displayed at NASCAR races and car shows after which it will be sold at auction. The proceeds will then be donated to the Fisher House, a non-profit organization dedicated to injured and recovering servicemen’s family members and loved ones.

Base Vehicle
2009 Ford F-150 4X2 Supercrew Lariat
5.4 liter V-8
6 Speed automatic transmission

Powertrain
Borla cat-back exhaust
ProCharger Intercooled Super Charger System
K&N Air Filter

Chassis
McGaughys 2″/4″ Lower Kit

Wheels & Tires
Giovanna Caracas 24X10 wheels
Cooper Tires Sport Truck Tires XSTA 295/35/R24

Exterior
Mickey Harris Art-Custom Airbrush
Dupont-Paint & Materials

Malibu Customz-Prep & Finish

Malibu Customz-Carbon fiber bed rail covers, front bumper valance, stone guards and door apertures
Phantasmic Entertainment Inc/ProVision-3-D Holographic imagery
SnugTop Tonneau Cover
BedRug Bed Liner
Carriageworks Billet Grill

Interior
Classic Soft Trim-Leather Interior
Advance Performance-Design & install of interior
Kicker Audio-Amps, speakers & subs
SuperCrew Sound-Sub box enclosure (a sponsor here at FordF150.net)

Created By: Malibu Customz, Knoxville, TN

For full details see http://malibucustomz.com/ford_f-150_freedom_truck.html

Way to go Ford, this is the icing on the cake. The ultra-capable Raptor benefits from an even more impressive engine, available for order December 1, with an MSRP of $41,995.

Ford has also announced a FR Raptor XT off-road-only truck will have a production run of 50 units, priced at $99,950. It features:

• 500-hp (est.) 6.2-liter naturally aspirated engine
• Six-speed automatic transmission
• Electronically selectable 4×4; 4.56 gear sets; front and rear e-lockers
• A-arm with uni-ball front; four-link RR suspension
• 15-inch front/18-inch rear wheel travel
• Coil-over with bypass shocks front and rear
• Chromoly “4130” rollcage; extensive skid plating
• Full featured interior, including power windows/windshield and air conditioning
• Factory seating with five-point restraints
• Off-road beadlock wheel/tires
• Unique appearance package including tubular front and rear bumper and integral lighting

Behind that is an available 6-speed manual (SWEET!) or 4-speed automatic. The package is also rounded out upgrades in the areas of  fuel system, cooling, exhaust, suspension, wheels, and tires.

According to the SHM web site, this unbelievable truck will be available for fall 2009 delivery. That’s all the info we have right now but as we hear more, we’ll let you know.

Ford trucks also took the “Truck Line of Texas,” a distinguished honor recognizing the best-in-class capability and durability of Ford’s lineup.

Another top honor, “Outstanding Feature,” went to Ford Work Solutions, a suite of productivity technologies developed for the commercial truck owner. The system includes an in-dash computer that connects with the home office; Tool Link that keeps track of costly tools and equipment; Cable Lock, which locks up tools in the open truck box; and Crew Chief, a telematics system, giving the fleet manager more control of his/her fleet of vehicles.

For information on the 2010 F150, check out http://www.fordf150.net/2010/

Chris Duke, host of hit automotive DIY show “MOTORZ TV” to perform live installations on Ford vehicles at the Ford Motor Company booth at the SEMA Show 2009 in Las Vegas this November.

My congratulations goes out to Chris Duke of MOTORZ TV. I’ve personally known Chris for about oh, about 7 years or so and he is the real deal. This guy lives and breathes car & truck stuff. He has had many successes in the online and offline world in the world of automotive and the Internet.

If you go to the SEMA show this year, definitely stop by the Ford booth and the MOTORZ booth (#22299). In the meantime, check them out at http://www.motorz.tv

About Duke Networks
Duke Networks, LLC (www.duke.net) produces “MOTORZ TV,” a DIY show for automotive enthusiasts. Host Chris Duke shows you how to install aftermarket products step-by-step in layman’s terms, in a typical garage setting, using common tools. MOTORZ is broadcast on cable television to over 1 million viewers through i2TV and published to over 40 distribution partners including CarDomain, StreetFire, YouTube, TiVo, SPIKE, and iTunes. For more information please visit www.motorz.tv.

Here is the link to check for recalls on your truck: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallsearch.cfm

In the eight consumer complaints that prompted the investigation, the driver airbag had deployed unexpectedly, either when starting the engine or shortly thereafter.

Five of the eight F-150 owners who experienced the issue suffered injuries from the airbag deployment. The investigation summary says that one tech attributed wire chaffing as the cause or potential cause.

So far, the investigation covers only the 2005 Ford F-150, but if you’ve experienced this problem with any late-model F-150, log in your account at ODI’s Defects and Recalls page.

Source: CarConnection

2010 F-150 gets:

• an upgraded braking system which consists of larger front rotors (350mm now instead of 330mm diameter), bigger calipers and mounting bolts, a modified power brake booster which has internal changes for pedal feel tuning, a new master cylinder with a piston/bore size increase from 1-1/16″ to 1-3/16″, a modified brake control module, a vacuum sensor (was used on 6.2L, now also on 4.6L and 5.4L equipped trucks), and higher mu rear caliper linings
• new electric cooling fans for all engines, replacing engine-driven fans for improved efficiency
• the Max Trailer Tow Package is available now on XLT models with 17″ tires
• new MyKey feature: My Key allows owners to program a key to: Limit vehicle speed, Activate speed alert chimes, and Limit maximum audio volume; promotes safe driving habits for whoever may be driving the vehicle
• power sliding rear window with privacy tint now has defrost feature; standard on Lariat and higher series; optional on XLT & FX4
• last but not least, the new F150 RAPTOR edition. What an amazing truck!

More 2010 Ford F150 details at http://www.fordf150.net/2010/

2010 Ford Ranger gets:

• Roll Stability Control® (RSC) and side seat airbags are new and standard equipment on all series
• air conditioning is now standard equipment on XL trim level
• Rear Jump Seat – Standard Rear Jump Seats on 2-Door Super Cab and 4 – Door Super Cab
• bucket seats – Standard Cloth Sport bucket seats on SPORT (non-Fleet)
• Steering Wheel – Standard black urethane tilt steering wheel on SPORT · Standard black leather tilt steering wheel on XLT
• Steel Chrome Wheel – XLT 15”x7” Steel Chrome Wheel

More 2010 Ford Ranger details at http://www.fordf150.net/2010/

We’ve also posted the 2010 Ford F-150 owner’s manual. We’ll share more info as we get it.

Here are the spy photos of the 2011 Super Duty from the two sources:

Here are the direct links:
- http://rumors.automobilemag.com/6529992/news/2011-ford-super-duty-pickup-spied/index.html
- http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/05/spied-2011-ford-super-duty-exposes-more-grille.html

Here’s a quote from the Executive 4 Star Limo website:

This unit offers hardwood floors, strobe lights, lasers, fiber optics, 10 tvs and much more that needs to be seen to be fully apprecitated. When you and your guests arrive to an event, you will literally look down on all the other limos.

If you find yourself in southern Alberta and you and 23 friends need a friggin’ huge limo, check out Executive 4 Star Limos. Also, check out the YouTube video on this beast:

As you can tell we don’t post here at the F150 Blog on a really regular basis. One or two blog posts per month is doing good.  I thought I’d take a moment to spread the word about a truck blog that is updated daily. It’s TruckBlog.com, run by a friend of ours (Chris Duke who also runs MOTORZ.TV). If you can’t get your fix of truck news from our blog, or you own more than just Ford trucks, I recommend you add them to your favorites.

Check out TruckBlog today!

It is anticipated the 2011 Ford F-250 / Super Duty trucks will get a major restyle, taking some styling cues from the Super Chief concept truck. Also expected is different engines (Ford’s own V8 diesel), and the manual transmission option is expected to be dropped.

You can read the full article at PickupTrucks.com

It’s not all about some numbers on paper. Get in the truck, drive it, and see who really gets the best mileage…

The video features Matt O’Leary (Chief Engineer, F-150) and Mike Rowe (spokesperson, you know him from Dirty Jobs). Just watch:

Good PR move for Ford – bringing the Raptor to Monster Jam. But…. you could just hear the disappointment when they didn’t jump the Raptor F150 over junk cars…. oh well, maybe next time. The Raptor is still a sweet truck!

Here’s a quote from the article:

By late 2010, the new standard engine for the F-150 will be a 5.0-liter, modular, four-valve, naturally aspirated V-8, developed under the code name “coyote.” This eight-cylinder engine (described as having “huge heads”) will be shared with the new Ford Mustang. Power figures are said to be approximately 400 horsepower and 400 pounds-feet of torque. Fuel economy is expected to be comparable to the current 5.4-liter engine.

In an interesting reversal of tradition for trucks, the premium engine for the light-duty F-150 will be a V-6. The new rear-wheel-drive version of the 3.5-liter, six-cylinder EcoBoost gasoline turbo direct-injection motor will occupy the top slot.

Read the full article over at PickupTrucks.com

We’ve started a Raptor F150 section here at FordF150.net, you can check it out at http://www.fordf150.net/raptor/

The Raptor truck details from the Barrett-Jackson website are as follows:

Summary: The DNA of a Baja Prerunner. Built Ford Tough. The Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT) takes performance supremacy off-road with the new F-150 SVT Raptor. All proceeds above MSRP vehicle will go directly to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Details: The DNA of a Baja Prerunner. Built Ford Tough. The Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT) takes performance supremacy off-road with the new F-150 SVT Raptor. This purpose-built, high performance truck is rugged enough to take on challenging desert adventures, and refined enough for everyday use. F-150 SVT Raptor-specific triple internal bypass Fox Racing Shox, an electronic locking rear differential, and hill descent control mark its serious off-road capability. Outrageous styling backs up its performance with a brick-wall grille, unique front fenders, box outer panels, hood and front bumper, plus a Raptor-exclusive interior. This is one awesome truck. The winning bidder will take delivery of the first F-150 SVT Raptor offered for sale. All proceeds above MSRP vehicle will go directly to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Over the last three years, Ford and Barrett-Jackson have raised over $2.5 million dollars for charity through the auction of Ford products. This new model will give the winning bidder an opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause while making automotive history. Features include 7″ Wider than a standard F-150, 5.4L SOHC V8 FFV with 320hp and 390 lb-ft. of torque, 11.2″ of front suspension travel, unique cast-aluminum front control arms, unique skid plates, 12.1″ of rear suspension travel, unique rear springs. 4.10 rear axle, electronic locking rear differential, 17″ cast-aluminum wheels, BFGoodrich 35″ All-Terrain T/A KO (315/70R17), Hill Descent Control, unique Off-Road Mode and auxiliary switches for additional lighting and accessories.