2008 Ford F-150 Review

Specifications

Special or limited editions are a big part of the auto industry, as they are anideal way to generate interest in products that might have fallen out of the spotlight, or to bring a little extra glamor to a mass-volume vehicle. Sometimes they turn out to be unique gems, but most of the time they’re minimal-effort vehicles that don’t offer anything that makes them particularly noteworthy special or, for that matter, limited. One rather well executed special edition that’s become a tradition for Ford is the Harley Davidson Edition version of its F-Series pickup truck. In fact, it’s a tradition that’s been going strong for nine years now and has resulted in more than 60,000 total unit sales.

Every year, the Harley Davidson model takes on a new appearance, if not two; usually the Super Duty variant features different colors and graphics. For instance last year’s truck was available in monochrome Amethyst metallic or black, while the diesel-powered F-250 Super Duty could be had as black with bright blue tribal-style flames. If there’s one thing that remains constant with these Harley trucks, it’s that they have always used black as the base background color, though the new accent color is now Vintage Copper. The standard monochromatic blackwith custom striping is available, for those who prefer their trucks to be a little more subdued. Other visual differences between the regular F-150 and the Harley Davidson model include a grille that’s made of billet aluminum, and not just chrome-plated plastic, blacked out headlamp surrounds and tubular step bars; all of these are carryover features from the HD edition trucks of the past. There’s also an oversized Harley Davidson logo imprinted in the rubberized bedliner to ensure that the bed doesn’t get damaged from oil leaks (if your bike just happens to have been built in the AMF era), and chromed tie-down hooks make sure all types of cargo stays put. There are a handful of changes to note for this year’s truck, including badges with a new design for Harley Davidson’s 105th Anniversary, not to mention massive 22-inch alloy wheels that feature a five-spoke design with black inserts.

As demonstrated through its King Ranch lineup, Ford is capable of putting together some of the nicest interiors in the truck industry. Instead of taking the “cowboy” theme with saddle-style leather and glossy wood trim, the interior of the Harley Davidson trucktakes the tough look of the standard F-150 and infuses it with a bit of a craftsman’s touch, with thick, leather-trimmed bucket seats and piano-black inserts on the dash. Unique instruments complete the look, highlighted by gray-copper trim comprised of hundreds of little Harley Davidson logos. From afar, it almost looks like carbon fiber trim. Unlike last year’s model, the truck gains dusted copper leather-trimmed accents including the steering wheel’s rim, the gigantic armrest and the shift knob. For a small volume vehicle we’ve always been impressed at the extent that Ford customized its Harley Davidson branded F-Series, with details such as the die-cast logos that are fitted to the seats and the armrest really setting the tone. If it were from any other brand than H-D, it just wouldn’t be the same.

This year’s model, like last year’s, is only available in one configuration – as a SuperCrew (four-door cab). A choice of driving wheels is part of the package, however, with either the 4X2 system driving the rear wheels or an electronically controlled, permanent all-wheel drive system powering all four. For the late-model 2007 Harley Davidson edition, Ford announced that it would be offering a factory-fitted Saleen supercharger that increases output to 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, making it top dog in the half-ton pickup truck market. The only other factory-produced pickup capable of producing this sort of power was Dodge’s Ram SRT-10, powered by the Viper’s 500 horsepower V10, which is no longer being sold.

When the supercharger package is selected, which is only available on the rear-wheel drive F-150, it comes with an intercooler to enhance performance, as well as a gauge pod mounted on the top of the dashboard that includes a boost gauge for the supercharger and an air-charge temperature gauge. For those that find the supercharged model a little on the excessive side, the 300-horsepower 4.6-liter 3-valve SOHC V8 from the regular Harley Davidson version is standard. Both the regular engine and the supercharged version feature a five-speed automatic transmission as standard, and both have a performance exhaust system that amplifies the truck’s “badness” factor.

Compared to last year’s version of the Harley Davidson truck, which was introduced just a couple of short months ago, the ‘08 model is making an early debut. It will be available in dealerships starting this fall, an arrangement made which enabled the truck to arrive in time for Harley Davidson’s 105th anniversary celebrations.