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| The 2004 F-150's fully boxed frame is an amazing nine times stiffer torsionally than the current model. (Photo: Ford Motor) |
There should be no worries about twisting the frame if loads are kept near the recommended limits either. The fully boxed unit is about nine times stiffer torsionally than the current model. This, along with the model's wider rear leaf springs and outboard-mounted rear shocks, should improve on and off-road handling as well.
While better handling can help to avoid an accident a stiffer frame also improves impact resistance. Being that more and more pickup trucks are filling a role that used to be the sole domain of family wagons, safety considerations are paramount. The new F-150 exceeds new U.S. federal safety standards for airbag and offset crash performance, a feat the outgoing model would not be able to accomplish.
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| F-150 Lariat rear bench seat. (Photo: Ford Motor) |
Will all these improvements help Ford to maintain its first in class status? Without a doubt. As nice as Nissan's new entry is it won't eat into domestic territory too much, pickup truck customers are too loyal and don't change brands all that often. And with the F-150 they shouldn't feel compelled to. The new truck won't push them outside of their traditionally conservative comfort zones, but on the contrary make them more comfortable.