Ford Mighty F-350

Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Also called	Ford Mighty F-350 Tonka Ford Mighty F-350 TONKA Ford F-350 Tonka Ford Tonka F-350 Ford Mighty F-350 Super Duty (Maisto toy)
Model years	2002
Body and chassis
Class	Concept heavy-duty pickup truck
Body style	4-door crew cab
Layout	Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Doors	Conventional doors (front) Coach Doors (rear)
Related	Ford Super Duty (1999—2016)
Powertrain
Engine	6.0 L Super-600 Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8
Transmission	5-speed 5R110W automatic

The Ford Mighty F-350 is a concept heavy-duty pickup truck designed by Ford and debuted at the January 2002 Detroit Auto Show as a 2002 model itself.

Design and history

It was the subject of Ford's first partnership with the Tonka toy truck producer. The Mighty F-350 is equipped with a 350 hp (260 kW) 6.0 L "Super-600" Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8 engine (the former name never made it to production), mated to a 5-speed (5R110W) automatic transmission and hydraulic launch assist. The styling was used for the production 2004 F-150.

The full-chrome 4-bar grille foreshadowed the future 2005–2007 Super Duty models, while the fender badges and chrome side-view mirrors shared a similar appearance to the then-upcoming 2008–2010 model (except there was never a factory full-chrome option). The Mighty F-350's fender flares previewed the 2005 F-450/F-550 trucks as well. Behind its Tonka-badged retractable running boards (side steps) are "side exhausts", similar to the second generation F-150 SVT Lightning. The fender badges also use the same font as the production Super Duty models. Like the later 2006 F-250 Super Chief (which sported similar cues), both had suicidal rear doors.

The exterior also featured LED headlights and taillights, introducing new opportunities for advanced lighting technology. It also uses a fifth-wheel trailer hitch in the bed. High intensity LED lights are featured prominently throughout the vehicle's interior and exterior: in low beam and fog lamps and in all of the signal lights, including rear combination lamps, the center high-mounted stop light, front turn signals, and marker lights. The vehicle rides over seven feet tall and is equipped with 315/60R22 Goodyear off-road tires (on both the front and dual rear wheels), along with 22-inch wheels, which are also very similar, as they are a preview of the 2008—2010 18" wheel options.[1]

Though nowhere near as chiseled, the 2008 F-Series Super Duty and 2009 F-150 both inherited some of the Mighty F-350's design language in their exterior styling.

A camera-operated lane departure warning system helps keep the driver alert by emitting a soft audible sound signal if the vehicle unintentionally drifts outside of the lane. Additional cameras mounted within the bed help the driver monitor truck-to-trailer coupling, as well as reversing.

The concept also marks the debut of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in headlamp application, introducing new opportunities for advanced lighting technology.

Aside from the Super-600 name, the 6.0 L Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8 made it to production as well.

Appearances

Similar to the Ford F-250 Super Chief and also other Ford concept vehicles at the time, the Mighty F-350 appeared in the 2008 game Off Road as well, and the 2017 mobile game Top Drives.

The Maisto 1:55 scale die-cast toy-line also produced the Mighty F-350.

See also

• Ford F-250 Super Chief, a similar concept truck also designed by Ford
• Tonka, the toy manufacturer whose products inspired the Mighty F-350

Sources

• Ackerson, R. (2005). Ford F-150 Pickup 1997-2005: America's Best-Selling Truck. Veloce Publishing Limited. ISBN 978-1-904788-86-7. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
• Stewart, Ben (August 2002). "In-Your-Face Pickups". Popular Mechanics. 179 (8). Hearst Magazines: 74–77. ISSN 0032-4558. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
• Automotive News. Crain Automotive Group. 2003. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
• Higgins, A.; Koucky, S. (2002). "Cleaner and beefier diesel engine". Machine Design. 74 (9): 31–32.