Ford’s F-Series pickup truck lineup is split into the F-150 and the F-Series Super Duty models. The F-150 is the light-duty truck, while the Super Duty version is the heavy-duty truck. Though it looks similar to the F-150 sold from 2004 to 2008 – especially in the pickup box, greenhouse, and door skins – the 2009 F-150 is completely redesigned with a new chassis, new sheetmetal, and a new interior, according to Ford. Furthermore, Ford says the new F-150 makes more horsepower, is more fuel efficient, and is capable of handling heavier loads when it comes to towing and hauling.

Here is a summary of changes to the 2009 Ford F-150:
• New high-strength, lighter weight chassis
• Added horsepower
• Improved fuel economy
• Greater payload and towing capacity
• Additional safety features
• New Platinum model loaded with luxury
• Stretched SuperCrew cabin gets six-inches of added length
• Standard side-impact airbags
• Standard stability control
• Standard trailer sway control
• Standard capless fuel filler system
• New optional cargo management and tailgate extender systems
• New available tailgate and box-side steps

The 2009 Ford F-150 is available in three cab styles, three box sizes, and eight trim levels. Buyers can choose between regular, extended, and crew cab models equipped with a short bed, a standard bed, or a long bed, powered by a selection of three V-8 engines that send power to the rear or all four wheels. Trim levels are XL, STX, XLT, SFE, FX4, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum. There’s also a new 2010 Ford SVT F-150 Raptor model coming next year, designed for optimum off-road speed and capability.

The F-150 XL model is sparsely equipped, as it is designed primarily for a commercial buyer that needs an inexpensive truck for basic business use. Nevertheless, the XL comes standard with 17-inch wheels, air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo, a tilt steering wheel, interval wipers, power door locks and windows (SuperCrew only), and a V-8 engine. Moving beyond basics, the F-150 STX is the first rung on the ladder, adding aluminum wheels, larger tires, cloth seats, body-color exterior trim, a CD player, and an auxiliary input jack for a portable music player.

The popular F-150 XLT builds from the STX model and includes chrome exterior detailing, automatic headlights, power side mirrors, remote keyless entry, interior carpeting, cruise control, power windows, an external temperature display, a compass, front map lights, delayed accessory power, rear privacy glass, and premium cloth upholstery. Buyers looking to maximize fuel economy from the F-150 can select the SFE (Super Fuel Economy) model. Available on SuperCrew versions of the F-150 XL and XLT equipped with the short 5.5-foot bed, the SFE model is equipped with a 4.6-liter, three-valve V-8, a six-speed automatic transmission, a 3.15 axle ratio, and 18-inch chromed aluminum wheels wearing low rolling-resistance tires.

The Ford F-150 FX4 is not about saving gas; it’s about going off-road. The FX4 builds on the content from the XLT and adds 4WD with an electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case, an electronic locking rear differential, body-color trim, fog lights, wheel lip moldings, skid plates, tow hooks, and 18-inch alloy wheels wearing all-terrain tires. The FX4 also includes a Securicode keyless entry system, Sport cloth upholstery, a power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, six free months of Sirius satellite radio, a trailer towing package, and a more powerful 5.4-liter V-8 engine.

The top three Ford F-150 trim levels are Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum. All three come with XLT equipment plus a 5.4-liter V-8 engine, leather interior trim, 10-way power seat adjustment with memory, automatic climate control, Securicode keyless entry, SYNC communication and entertainment technology, Sirius satellite radio, a message center with a trip computer, steering wheel controls, power adjustable pedals, auto-dimming mirrors, and heated side mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators.

The F-150 Lariat is equipped with a front bench seat, while the King Ranch and Platinum get front buckets and a flow-through center console. The Lariat is also decked out with chrome exterior accents and bright 18-inch alloy wheels. King Ranch versions distinguish themselves with Chapparal leather, heated and cooled front seats, a six-disc CD changer, a reverse sensing system, a Homelink universal transmitter, Pueblo Gold grille accents, power folding side mirrors with puddle lamps, a power sliding rear window, two-tone paint, and unique 18-inch wheels. Platinum models get 20-inch polished and forged alloy wheels, single-tone paint, power running boards, satin-finish grille and tailgate trim, a power adjustable steering column with a unique steering wheel, real aluminum dash trim, and upgraded leather.

The 2009 Ford F-150 is powered by the owner’s choice between three V-8 engines. The 4.6-liter V-8 with two valves per cylinder (248 hp/294 lb.-ft.) is only offered with XL, STX and XLT trim. Optional on those models and standard on the SFE model is a 4.6-liter V-8 with three valves per cylinder (292 hp/320 lb.-ft.). The Ford F-150 FX4, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum models – as well as all F-150 extended cabs with the long bed – come standard with a 5.4-liter V-8 (310 hp/up to 365 lb.-ft.) that’s optional on other F-150s. The 5.4-liter V-8 is also designed to operate on E85, a blend of 85-percent ethanol and 15-percent gasoline. Ford says that turbocharged Eco-Boost engines and a diesel powerplant are slated for the 2010 F-150.

The 4.6-liter, two-valve V-8 is connected to a four-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed automatic is included with the 4.6-liter, three-valve V-8 and the 5.4-liter V-8. The optional 4WD system on the regular cab and extended cab models with XL, STX or XLT trim and the 4.6-liter, 2-valve V-8 is activated using a floor-mounted, manual shift-on-the-fly lever while other F-150s are equipped with an electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case with dash-mounted controls. Properly equipped, a Ford F-150 can tow as much as 11,300 pounds and haul as much as 3,030 pounds of payload.

Fuel economy across the F-150 lineup ranges from a low of 14 mpg in the city with all powertrain combinations except 2WD models equipped with the 4.6-liter, three-valve V-8 to a high of 21 mpg on the highway for the F-150 SFE with 2WD. During our test drive in an F-150 Platinum SuperCrew with 4WD, the 5.4-liter V-8 engine, and a six-speed automatic transmission, which is rated by the EPA to deliver 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway, we averaged 12.8 mpg in mixed driving.

Standard safety equipment on the 2009 Ford F-150 includes dual front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seat occupants, and side-curtain airbags for front and rear seat occupants. Additionally, the F-150 comes standard with four-wheel-disc ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, and Ford’s AdvanceTrac stability control with Rollover Stability Control technology. Trailer Sway Control is also standard, and works in conjunction with the AdvanceTrac system to stabilize the vehicle when towing. Other safety features offered on the F-150 include a reverse sensing system that employs sonar embedded in the rear bumper to detect objects in the truck’s path, an optional reversing camera for improved rear visibility, and 911 Assist when the F-150 is equipped with SYNC technology. In the event of an airbag deployment, 911 Assist can place a call directly to an emergency operator as long as a phone is paired to the Sync system.

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2009 Ford F-150 competes against other large pickups such as the Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra.