Ford SuperCrew truck with four doors acts like a pop-top SUV
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. -- Designers at Ford caught the hybrid car bug in a big way: Starting with a chassis of the full-size F-150 pickup, they added a big cab capable of supporting sedan-size front and rear bench seats, then attached four car-like side doors, cropped the truck bed in back to hold the vehicle's length to a manageable measure, and laced the cabin with car-like amenities -- including, of all things, an optional moonroof.
The resultant product, part pickup and part car, bears the name of SuperCrew and scores as the first full-size pickup in the new hybrid class of vehicles with a car-like cabin and four big doors for passengers.
A truck with sedan seats, four doors and a moonroof?
It's the latest way to truck it in a vehicle which can carry all in the family plus a load of recreational gear in the back bed.
The SuperCrew also compares to Ford's full-size Expedition sport-utility wagon, as both vehicles utilize the same truck frame and powertrains, and both have similar passenger compartments with four doors -- only the SuperCrew substitutes a truck's open bed for the wagon's enclosed bay.
What's the point?
It involves structuring a vehicle for multiple purposes like hauling sports or recreation equipment in a truck's back bed but still leaving enough room up front in the cabin to carry a load of riders in a comfortable manner.
The typical stretched-cab truck with tiny rear jump seats and narrow rear-hinged back doors does not manage the people-hauling aspect comfortably. A crew-cab truck with bona fide back bench seat can carry the people, yet its full-size bed stretching for seven or eight feet adds significant inches to the overall length of the vehicle and renders it difficult to maneuver on crowded urban streets.
A full-size SUV wagon like the Excursion has a comfortable cabin to handle passengers, but the enclosed rear bay limits the size and type of cargo it can tote.
Yet the new SuperCrew with four doors works as both a truck and a pop-top sport-utility vehicle.
It has the strength and styling of Ford's F-150 pickup -- the best-selling vehicle in America year after year -- plus innovations for practicality and comfort.
Foundation for the SuperCrew is actually the chassis of the F-150 SuperCab with a 139-inch wheelbase. Variations between the two trucks occur when the SuperCrew gains 12 inches in length for the rear of the cabin and its pickup box is chopped at the back by about 18 inches.
Despite that abbreviated length, the box maintains the same width of 50 inches as other trucks in the F-150 lineup.
It still accommodates a 4x8 sheet of plywood, but with the tailgate down. An optional bed extender for $195 helps when longer loads must be hauled.
Rear doors vary dramatically between the SuperCrew and SuperCab. The latter has narrow ones hinged in back that attach to the rear C-pillar. They swing out only after the front door opens.
Full-size back doors on the SuperCrew attach at the B-pillar by front-edged hinges. Each has a handle inside and out and may be opened independently of the front door.
The exterior package of the SuperCrew appears round and muscular in front with crisp wrap-around bumper, horizontal grille and aero-style headlamps. A sharply raked windshield sets up an airy feel to the expansive passenger compartment and provides excellent visibility for driver.
Standard configuration in the cockpit includes front and rear bench-type seats which can carry three people each.
Both benches split in 60/40 sections, but up front the bench can be switched to optional captains chairs divided by a floor-mounted console.
A standard overhead console installs a compass and external temperature gauge, along with storage cubbyholes.
The full-size rear seat has a fold-flat back. Also in the rear space are reading lamps and cupholders, a power point and map pockets on doors.
A video entertainment system with video cassette player is another option for rear riders, as is that moonroof.
In terms of power, new SuperCrew delivers the goods.
Its standard plant, a single-cam 4.6-liter Triton V8, generates 220 hp at 4500 rpm and as much as 290 lb-ft at 3250 rpm.
This one packs a definite throttle punch with the two-wheel-drive version for off-the-line action while still mustering relatively high fuel economy numbers.
Output for the optional 5.4-liter V8 rises to 260 hp at 4500 rpm, and it develops high torque at relatively low engine speeds.
High power and torque ratings make this the best engine choice for towing a trailer. The maximum trailer weight extends to four tons with rear-wheel traction mode.
Either plant connects to excellent four-speed automatic Ford transmissions, which shift quietly.
A transmission high-gear lockout switch inset as a button in the tip of the column-mounted shift lever enables a driver to downshift with only the tap of a thumb. It's handy when passing another vehicle or checking speed on a downhill grade.
Ford's optional four-wheel-drive system has a control knob on the dashboard for dialing up a driving mode, from rear two-wheel traction to four-wheel high and low or automatic all-wheel-drive. For pavement travel the system seamlessly distributes traction to wheels which maintain tread grip, yet when heading off pavement the 4WD high and low system locks the differential and applies torque evenly to both sets of wheels.
The SuperCrew is the first truck to provide power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, which can improve the fit to a driver's feet.
An electric motor sets brake and accelerator pedals closer toward the driver's seat, with pedal movements controlled through an illuminated switch on the instrument panel.
Two trim designations -- XLT and Lariat -- apply decorative and convenience features. The XLT rolls on 16-inch wheels with 17-inch aluminum wheels optional for the 4x4 XLT. The Lariat SuperCrew gets 17-inch chrome wheels with all-season tires for the 4x2 and all-terrain tires on the 4x4.
SuperCrew sticker figures begin at $26,775 for a 4x2 XLT and $28,335 for the 4x2 Lariat, with a 4x4 XLT set at $29,975 and the Lariat 4x4 running to $31,790.
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| 2001 FORD F150 SUPER CREW VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Full-size 4-door pickup truck |
| Model Options: |
Full-size 4-door pickup truck |
| Wheelbase: |
4x2: 138.5 inches, 4x4: 138.8 inches |
| Overall Length: |
225.9 inches, Cargo box length: 67.2 inches |
| Engine Size: |
SOHC 4.6-L V8, SOHC 5.4-L V8 |
| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Rear 4x2, 4x4 |
| Braking: |
Power disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 (front) |
| Gross Weight: |
4x2: 6600 pounds, 4x4: 6750 pounds |
| Towing Capacity: |
4x2: 8000 pounds, 4x4: 7700 pounds |
| Gas Mileage: |
4.6-L 4x2: 14/19 mpg, 4.6-L 4x4: 13/18 mpg, 5.4-L 4x2: 13/18 mpg, 5.4-L 4x4: 12/16 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 26,775 to $ 35,000 |
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