Ford introduces ’04 F-650, F-750 trucks

Ford Motor Co.

Ford Motor Co. took the covers off its 2004 F-650 and F-750 Super Duty trucks, the first products from Ford and Navistar International’s Blue Diamond Truck joint venture.

The trucks are aimed at dump, utility, van and stake bodies for construction, urban-suburban delivery, and service applications. Ford offers a choice of three cabs, including a four-door SuperCab and four-door Crew Cab, each with a wider variety of seating choices than last year. There are 38 wheelbase choices, allowing the trucks to be easily upfitted across a wide spectrum of body types. Tractor versions also are available as a F-650 and F-750, in all cab configurations.

The standard engine is an all-new direct injection, 32-valve, 6.0-litre Power Stroke diesel generating up to 230 horsepower and 620 foot-pounds of torque. Other engine offerings include a 3126 Caterpillar 7.2-liter diesel with up to 300 horsepower and 860 foot-pounds of torque, and a 5.9-liter Cummins ISB diesel engine (available late spring 2003) with up to 260 horsepower and 660 foot-pounds of torque. Customers also can choose between 10 manual and seven automatic transmissions.

Nine different frames are available, and an array of rear axles is offered including two-speed axles and single-speed axles with driver-controlled locking differentials. Air suspension is offered on all models, with or without air brakes.

Ford has established an uptime critical parts program providing next-day delivery of 9,600 mission-critical parts with orders taken 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Additionally, Ford dealers will have access to a full range of industry service parts, allowing the dealer to service not only the new F-650 and F-750 trucks, but other original equipment manufacturer’s trucks in the medium duty truck segment. The program provides access to the complete service parts lines of approximately 185 truck industry vendors including approximately 650,000 part numbers.

Blue Diamond Truck is producing both class-6 and -7 commercial trucks in Escobedo, Mexico.

Production of the 2004 model-year vehicles begins in December, with the trucks arriving in dealerships early next year.