2006 Ford F-150 - again the leader among full-size pickups

By Vince Bodiford
Automotive Editor

Long a favorite among pickup enthusiasts, the 2006 Ford F150 has become an icon among pickup trucks, with improvements this year that you'll appreciate any time you call on F-150 to tow or haul something big. The big news for this model year is the new 6-1/2-foot box. This bigger box adds extra space needed for more gear or cargo.

The new box length headlines a long list of other new options, features and equipment, including a new 20-inch wheel, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, chrome appearance packages for XLT and Lariat models, Traction Assist and later in the model year, the option of a standard-length cargo box on SuperCrew models and a flexible-fuel 5.4-liter Triton V-8 engine.

The F-150 offers the widest variety of body configurations among full-size pickups, including three cab choices, three box lengths, two box styles and five unique series: the entry-level F-150 XL, fun and athletic F-150 STX, all-purpose F-150 XLT, powerful F-150 FX4, and the luxurious F-150 Lariat - to which the King Ranch version adds even more luxury. Also new this year is the Harley Davidson edition. All cabs feature four doors for easy access.

With a maximum tow rating of 9,900 pounds when properly equipped and maximum payload capacity of 3,060 pounds, the F-150 is the most capable full-size pickup under 8,500 pounds.

This year, many F-150 models can newly be customized with special options like the XLT Chrome Package, which adds 18-inch chromed aluminum wheels, five-inch chrome tubular running boards, leather-wrapped steering wheel and chrome exhaust tip. The Lariat Chrome Package adds chrome mirror caps and door and tailgate handles. A new XL Décor Group includes cloth seats and chrome bumpers, as well as carpet and air conditioning to dress up the F-150's economical version. A new 20-inch wheel is available for FX4, XLT, Lariat and King Ranch trims.

Tall-shouldered and proud, the F-150 profile features a self-assured, "planted" stance. The bold front end conveys strength with quad-circle-styled headlamps, designed in clusters, and incorporates a wrap-around fascia treatment that communicates refined sophistication and precision. The front doors feature Ford's signature stepped-down truck beltline.

Inside, F-150 boasts passenger comfort and head-turning style. But it's also functional and useful in the outdoors - with lots of space for gear. The flow-through center console gives you the option of two captain's chairs with a floor shifter on FX4 and Lariat models. The floor shifter is a sophisticated design, detailed in steel and chrome. Vehicles equipped with a 40/20/40-split-front-bench seat have a different instrument panel center stack optimized for middle-passenger legroom.

The F-150 offers the popular and useful modular overhead rail system that allows you to customize interior storage options to meet your individual needs. With it, occupants may easily snap in additional modules, such as first- aid kits, toolboxes, flashlights and two-way radio holders.

The mainstream F-150 offers three engine choices for 2006: a 4.2-liter V-6 engine, a 4.6-liter Triton V-8 and the top-of-the-line 5.4-liter, three-valve Triton V-8.

The 5.4-liter Triton V-8 engine is designed with three valves per cylinder, variable cam timing and a host of other features that provide increased power along with a quieter operation and improved fuel efficiency. It delivers 300 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 365 pound-feet of torque at 3,750 rpm. Later in the model year, a flex-fuel version that can use up to 85 percent ethanol (E85) will be available.

Engineering advances in the F-150 lead to exceptional handling, ride and quietness. The fully boxed frame with hydroformed front rails is the strongest in its class and reduces shake and shudder on rough roads. The liquid-filled engine mounts or "hydromounts" on V-8 engine installations attenuate much of the engine's noise and vibration before it can reach the passenger compartment.

Both 4x2 and 4x4 models use coil-on-shock, long-spindle, double-wishbone front suspension with cast aluminum lower control arms. The suspension reduces unsprung weight to help provide better ride and stability on choppy, broken surfaces.

The rear suspension has been optimized with rear shock absorbers placed outboard of the frame rails for a smoother ride and improved control of body lean. The shock position also provides better control of axle "skipping" and "skating" that can happen on washboard-type surfaces.

The strong hydroformed front frame rails are built to help manage crash forces. In an impact, these areas of the frame are designed to collapse in an accordion fashion, dissipating energy before it reaches the passenger compartment.

As a result, F-150 is the only pickup in its class to earn NHTSA's 5-star rating for driver and right-front-passenger frontal crash rating and receive a "Best Pick" in frontal offset crash testing performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The F-150's portfolio of safety features includes the Ford Personal Safety System and occupant-sensing technology for the first-row passenger. Whether it's a spinning reel, a child or an adult sitting there, the technology determines if the air bag should be on or off. The frontal air bags offer multiple deployment levels that tailor inflation force to the severity of the crash, the driver's safety-belt use and the driver's seat position as determined by a sensor mounted to the seat track.

At each corner, four-wheel vented-disc anti-lock brakes are standard. This year, 4x2 V-8 models can be ordered with Traction Assist to improve acceleration and stability on slippery surfaces.

XL includes: Argent front and rear bumpers, black grille and front fascia, interval wipers, 17-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, (SuperCab) AM/FM audio system, black vinyl floor covering, interior map lights and vinyl 40/20/40-split-front seat with manual driver lumbar support.

STX adds: Body-color front and rear step bumpers and grille surround, air conditioning (Regular Cab), AM/FM audio system with single CD player and cloth 40/20/40-split-front seat with manual driver lumbar support.

XLT adds: Chrome front and rear bumpers, black honeycomb grille insert, remote keyless entry, power exterior mirrors, automatic headlamps, carpeting and floor mats, power locks and windows, privacy glass, outside temperature and compass display and premium cloth 40/20/40-split-front seat with manual driver lumbar support.

FX4 adds: Body-color front and rear bumpers (with monotone paint) or Dark Shadow Grey front and rear bumpers (with two-tone paint), black "bar style" grille insert, wheel-lip moldings, 18-inch machined cast aluminum wheels, keyless entry keypad, black leather-wrapped steering wheel, black rubber off-road floor mats, sport cloth 40/20/40-split-front seat with manual driver and passenger lumbar support.

Lariat adds: Chrome (monotone) or Arizona Beige (two-tone) front and rear bumpers, chrome grille surround with Light Arizona Beige honeycomb insert, power heated side mirrors with integral turn signal, 18-inch bright aluminum wheels, electronic automatic temperature control, rear window defroster, carpeting and floor mats, message center with trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel with duplicate controls, power-adjustable driver's seat and leather-trimmed seating surfaces.

Selected options include: Mechanical or automatic shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive, skid plates, limited slip axle, 35.7-gallon fuel tank, fog lamps, two-tone paint, various appearance upgrade packages, power-adjustable pedals, reverse sensing system, six-disc CD changer, audiophile audio system, heavy-duty payload package, trailer tow package, snow-plow prep package, work truck package and rear-seat entertainment system.

A number of custom-fit accessories tailored to your needs are available for the F150 - from toppers to fly rod holders to gun racks. The best-selling truck in America for 28-years, the F150 is among the first models that the makers of these types of accessories make available.

Together, all of F150's features make it one of the best pickups on the road. For more information, visit www.fordvehicles.com.

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