2015 Ford Trucks Get New Power Stroke Engine

Article submitted by guest blogger Tim Esterdahl

Ford has a new Power Stroke engine on the way and – as expected – the power ratings are said to be class leading. This new engine will have many new innovations, and the improved power output should result in an increased tow rating. Combined with improvements to the new Super Duty’s chassis, an enhanced Power Stroke diesel is going to redefine the capability of the Super Duty truck line.

Set for a debut in the 2015, the new 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel will see an increase in horsepower, from 400 hp to 440 hp, as well as an increase in torque from 800 lb-ft to 860 lb-ft. These engine power increases of about 10% will lead to increased towing capacity.

The 2015 F-350 will have a new max tow capacity of 26,500 pounds with the fifth-wheel/gooseneck trailer towing package, and an improved gross combined weight rating of 35,000 pounds. The F-450 will have a max tow capacity of 31,200 pounds, and a gross combined weight rating of 40,000 pounds. The new 2015 F-450 will lead the class and supplant the Ram 3500, which currently holds the maximum towing crown with a max capacity of 30,000 pounds and a gross combined weight rating of 37,600 pounds.

NOTE: “Gross Combined Weight Rating” (GCWR) refers to the total weight of both the truck and the trailer combined. While manufacturers like to brag about “max tow ratings” in their literature, it’s more appropriate to talk GCWR, as that allows for each truck buyer to calculate their individual maximum. If, for example, you buy a new F-450, you can load it up with all your gear, park it on a scale, and then subtract the weight of your truck on the scale from the GCWR. The remainder is your individual truck’s maximum tow capacity, based on your specific use.

What Can You Tow With That Capacity

The Ford F-450 has a lot of towing prowess, but what kind of items does that towing capacity translate into? Here are some ideas:

Construction equipment on a flatbed like a back hoe.
Car haulers used to transport several vehicles between dealerships or to a junkyard.
Horse trailers that hold multiple horses, feed and accessories
Race car over/under haulers that usually hold 2 cars and are often 30+ feet long
Large fifth-wheel RVs with other vehicles and an additional storage trailer

Engine Improvements

Ford says that with its second-generation Power Stroke, several key innovations have been implemented. First off, the new Power Stroke has a compacted graphite iron engine block with a reverse-flow layout. This reverse-flow design places the exhaust inside the “V” between the engine’s heads, while positioning the air intake on the outside of the “V.” This reverse flow design (which can also be found on BMW’s M5 and a handful of hot-rods built by serious enthusiasts) results in a variety of improvements:

A shorter length of tubing between the exhaust valves and the new, larger turbocharger (which is now sitting between the engine’s cylinder banks) improves turbo responsiveness. Reduced lag boosts performance when pulling up hills or when carrying maximum loads.
Positioning the turbo inside the engine’s valley helps isolate the engine’s hottest temperatures, improving performance and efficiency by keeping the inlet air cooler
Reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) to improve driver comfort

The new Power Stroke will have a larger turbocharger, which will displace more air more quickly, improves power output. The new engine’s compacted graphite iron block is stronger than the cast iron block it replaces while also being lighter. Compacted graphite iron is also more wear-resistant than cast iron, and has enhanced sealing properties, features that should improve durability.

“The designers of the original 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel predicted that it would eventually need to be upgraded for higher output,” said David Ives, Ford Power Stroke technical specialist. “They designed it in a way that made it easier to add a larger turbocharger, increasing airflow and creating more power for dramatically improved performance, yet we haven’t lost any efficiency.”

Additionally, Ford added new injector tips that will spray a finer mist of fuel into the cylinders. This helps create a more complete burn, improving emissions while further reducing noise, vibration and harshness. This improved injector will also reduce fuel deposit build-up on the intake valves over time.

Chassis Improvements

Significant changes to the Power Stroke diesel aren’t the only steps Ford has taken to improve towing capacity – they’ve also improved the Super Duty’s chassis. F-350 improvements include new front springs and a wide track axle. For the F-450,

Ford added:

Commercial-grade 19.5-inch wheels and tires
Upgraded rear U-joints and suspension components
New rear leaf springs
New Front and rear stabilizer bars and shocks
Improved steering system with stronger gears and linkages
Strengthened the fifth-wheel/gooseneck to increase towing capacity
Larger and improved brakes with new antilock calibration

What’s remarkable about these improvements is just 10 years ago, the F-Series Super Duty was only able to tow 16,700 pounds, and that was with a 325 horsepower Power Stroke that generated a then-impressive 570 lbs.-ft torque.

While most consumers will see increased engine power and towing capacity as nothing more than steady vehicle improvements, industry observers see these trucks changing the trucking landscape. It used to be that very few people actually needed a truck the size of an F-450, and those that did were generally contractors and commercial users. Today, many contractors and commercial users find Ford’s F-350 to be more than adequate, and the F-450 has enough capability to replace older medium-duty commercial trucks. Looking past 2015, we can expect this trend to continue. The question is, when will automakers stop increasing tow capacities and power output? Will F-350 buyers in 2025 be purchasing a down-sized big rig?