Ford F-350 Super Duty Diesel is a High Output Power Trip

“I want the biggest, most powerful truck my LLC can buy!”

Imagine a scenario where you walk into your local Ford dealership. You step into the showroom and are greeted by a wave of refreshing air conditioning as you step on the Ford blue carpeted welcome mat. Before you can even say a word, your hand is being shaken by a sales rep with eagerness in their eye. They start rambling through their rehearsed greeting, complimenting your shoes to try and become your friend as quickly as possible. You stop them from wasting their breath and say, “I want the biggest, fanciest, most powerful pickup truck my LLC can buy!”

The sales rep pauses for a moment and gestures to this Iconic Silver Ford F-350 Super Duty 4×4 dually crew cab in Limited trim with the high-output 6.7L Power Stroke turbo V8 diesel engine. The large and in-charge luxury work truck is tastefully appointed with an Admiral Blue Slate leather interior and an optional retractable pickup bed tonneau cover ($2,200).

500 HP Power Stroke High Output

Ford gave its Super Duty trucks a technological makeover for the 2023 model year, which carried over into 2024. The most significant upgrade is the 6.7L Power Stroke turbo V8 diesel engine, available in two variants for the F-250, F-350, and F-450. The standard variant offers 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque, while the optional high output gives buyers 500 horsepower and a whopping 1,200 pound-feet of torque.

Standing well under six feet tall meant I was slightly intimidated by the size of the F-350 Super Duty and dreading having to maneuver this wide-hip, commercial-sized vehicle through the center of the second-largest city in Texas. However, once behind the wheel, it felt like second nature. One thing I’ve always admired about Ford’s pickup trucks is their drivability. They offer enough give to make them comfortable without feeling cumbersome or ham-fisted. The first drive home, I was impressed by its grace but doubly impressed by its speed. This diesel pickup truck is quick!

Six Figure Work Truck

Since I couldn’t race for pinks in the underground street racing circuit, I decided to use the F-350 for work instead. Ford rates the F-350 Super Duty max payload at 8,000 pounds. However, I could only afford 3,000 pounds of livestock feed to toss into its 8-foot bed.

The plan was to load the feed bags on two neatly wrapped pallets for easy transport. It would have worked except for the retractable tonneau cover, which enhances the truck bed’s aesthetic and security but eats up one foot of air space when retracted. So when they loaded up the two pallets end-to-end, that one-foot difference prevented me from closing the tailgate, and I had to load up 100 50-pound bags of livestock feed individually by hand. Nevertheless, the truck yawned while carrying 3,000 pounds and averaged 17 mpg on the highway.

Next was a towing test. Max towing on the diesel F-350 is 13,700 pounds, or 40,000 if pulling a gooseneck trailer. Since nobody I knew had a forklift or excavator on hand for me to drag around, I loaded up a flatbed trailer with a Can-Am Maverick X3.

The various trailer-assist features include onboard scales that can estimate the cargo’s weight in real time and provide trailer tongue-weight distribution guidance.  The 360-degree backup camera features a trailer hitch view, making lining up the tow hitch to a trailer a breeze, even for novice truckers. All you have to do is line up the connections with the guidelines on the screen.

All work and no play makes for a dull road test. So when the truck was unloaded and untethered, I took it upon myself to find out what happens when you turn off the traction control, select two-wheel drive and bury your foot into the accelerator.

This big steer of a truck bucks like a rodeo star when you unleash its high output torque and feel the surge of turbocharged power being sent to the wheels to create a dual set of tire marks. You can feel yourself succumbing to the intoxicating allure of power as this big truck accelerates through its 10-speed transmission.

In real world conditions I averaged 15.7 mph overall with highway driving (loaded and unloaded), pulling a trailer and commuting in a city with some heavy-footed driving. At a full tank, the estimated range was a shocking 875 miles! However, by the time the gas gauge was at half a tank that estimated range had dropped to 300 miles. I drove 575 actual miles when I finally stopped for a refuel with 80 miles of range showing on the instrument gauge.

The only real nitpick I have with this truck is the ride quality. While the top-tier Limited trim level offers massaging front seats and a standard Bang & Olufsen–tuned stereo system with up to 18 available speakers, it doesn’t mask the stiffness of its Super Duty suspension built for work. You will feel the bumps as the truck bounces when it’s not weighed down with cargo. 

Then there’s the price—six figures in this luxury trim level. However, IRS tax code section 179 states that any vehicle weighing between 6,000 and 14,000 pounds qualifies for up to a tax deduction with a $25,000 ceiling as of 2024. That includes a “heavy” SUV, pickup truck, or transportation tool. This is a nice incentive if you’re in the market for a new company work truck.

Engine: 6.7L Power Stroke turbo V8 diesel

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

0 to 60: 5.5 seconds

Starting Price: $46,015 (F-350 XL)

Price as Shown: $104,755 (F-350 Limited)