Tough, Durable and Flexible
Ford’s F-650 and F-750 medium duty trucks fill an important niche in the commercial vehicle market. (Credit : Ford Motor Company)
Proprietary frame was designed with leading upfitters to maximize flexibility and use requirements. (Credit : Ford Motor Company)
The 7.3 litre V8 can also be spec’d for gasoline, CNG and Propane use. (Credit : Ford Motor Company)
The F-600 is a slightly smaller alternative that is also available in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. (Credit : Ford Motor Company)
Ford’s medium duty chassis cabs offer fleet customers a great deal of value and capability.
For fleet customers, Ford’s line of Super Duty trucks and chassis cabs covers just about any type of possible use and configuration, everything from a ¾ ton pickup to on-highway tractors, not to mention a whole host of upfit chassis cab options, including construction, utility service and emergency vehicle applications, such as ambulances, fire trucks and police command units.
At the heavier end of the range are the F-650 and F-750. These rear-wheel drive, medium duty chassis cabs are designed to provide commercial operators with a tough, durable platform that can be tailored to their specific needs.
The current generation of F-650 and F-750 were launched for the 2022 model year and offer a choice of powertrains, 7.3-litre gasoline V8, or 6.7-litre Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel. They have a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of up to 50,000 lbs (22,650 kg) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of up to 37,000 lbs (16,750 kg).
Abundant power
The two engine options are designed specifically to provide abundant power in the lower rpm range, making them highly suitable for heavy duty hauling and towing as well as for emergency vehicle operation. The 7.3-litre gasoline V8 is an overhead valve design and is rated at 335 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque, all of which is available at 3,750 rpm to ensure there’s plenty of momentum when it comes to moving heavy loads. Other features of this engine designed to promote extra durability include a forged-steel crankshaft, and piston cooling jets, plus extra-large main bearings and a variable displacement oil pump to ensure reliable operation under severe use conditions. The 7.3-litre V8 can also be optioned with a CNG or propane engine prep package for added fuel flexibility.
The Power Stroke diesel is a hugely popular choice among Ford fleet customers and for the F-650 and F-750 is available in three different states of tune. The standard version is rated at 270 horsepower and 800 lb-ft of torque, while 300 hp/825 lb-ft and 330/850 lb-ft versions are also offered, to provide greater flexibility. Solid, useable power and torque is essential for trucks like this, and the Power Stroke’s uniquely designed and configured turbocharger setup is designed to promote faster spool up and better throttle response, particularly when carrying or pulling heavier loads.
Driver-activated exhaust braking
There’s also a driver-activated exhaust brake that increases back pressure and helps significantly reduce strain on the truck’s regular braking system, particularly when descending steeper grades with a sizeable load on board or behind. Durability and longevity is a key factor for fleet customers when it comes to vehicles like this, and Ford has performed extensive testing on the Power Stroke, putting it through more than 500,000 miles (800,000 km) of simulated customer driving. The Power Stroke is also up to 20% Bio Diesel capable.
Both the gasoline and diesel V8s are teamed with Ford’s TorqShift heavy-duty six-speed (gas engines) and 10-speed automatic transmission (diesel engines). For the F-650 and F-750, the TorqShift features a Tow/Haul mode that’s designed to select the specific gear for minimizing “hunting” when the truck is going uphill, as well as preventing upshifting when descending on grades, reducing wear and pressure on the truck’s braking system. The TorqShift in these applications also incorporates a Progressive Range Select feature which limits the range of gears in which to lockout overdrive. For both gas and diesel engines, there’s also standard Power Take-Off (PTO) capability for both in motion and stationary operation.
Split-shaft capability
Because the PTO output gear is connected directly to the TorqShift transmission’s converter impeller hub, it can provide live power to the PTO whenever the engine is running, including when the truck is idling as well as on the move. On the Power Stroke diesel, there’s also a split-shaft capability which can provide separate torque to two PTO outlets when the truck is parked with the engine running.
In today’s operating environment, safety is a priority and for the F-650 and F-750, Ford offers a range of both standard and available features. Hill-Start Assist is standard on trucks with hydraulic braking, while those spec’d with air brakes get the Bendix Wingman system that includes collision mitigation technology including intelligent cruise control. A Driver-Assist Package is available and includes features such as Auto High-Beam headlights, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking, plus Forward Collision Warning and Lane Keeping Alert. Five roof marker lights are also standard on these trucks for added safety and visibility at night and in poor weather conditions.
Added versatility
A key part of appealing to fleet operators is offering different configurations, including cabs and chassis. The F-650 and F-750 come as regular, extended SuperCab or Crew Cab, while the proprietary chassis was designed in conjunction with leading upfitters, to ensure little to no modification is required when installing vocational equipment, including dump bodies, cranes, fire apparatus and ambulances. Buyers also have a choice of black or chrome grille and front bumper treatments, while inside, there’s a choice of vinyl or cloth upholstery.
The Medium Duty truck segment in Canada is a competitive one, with solid offerings from the likes of Hino, Freightliner, International, Isuzu, Kenworth, Mack and Peterbilt. Yet amid all these options, the Ford F-650/F-750 is a worthy contender, due to its combination of durability, flexibility, safety and value. It’s a versatile truck that’s equally at home working as a dump or tow truck as it is as an ambulance or fire engine. It also provides an excellent complement to the Blue Oval’s other Super Duty offerings, resulting in a commercial vehicle lineup that’s one of the most varied and complete in the Canadian marketplace.
F-600 Bridging the Gap
Slotted just below the F-650/F-750 in Ford’s commercial truck lineup is the F-600. Essentially this combines the powertrain of the larger Class 7/8 trucks with the smaller cab and hood of the F-550 Super Duty. The F-600 features an upgraded chassis over the F-550 that features larger and heavier universal joints and a revised exhaust system, plus heavier-duty wheels and tires to handle larger weights. Rated at a GVWR of 22,000 lbs (10,000 kg) and GCWR of 30,000 lbs (14,000 kg) the F-600 comes only as a regular cab and is offered in both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive, an important consideration for Canadian customers, particularly those in more remote and northern areas that require added traction in wintery or muddy conditions. The 7.3-litre gasoline V8 and 6.7-litre Power Stroke diesel engines in these vehicles are teamed with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the F-600 fills an important niche for those customers that want the capability of a truck like the F-650 with the available benefits of four-wheel drive, but with smaller dimensions and greater maneuverability offered by the F-550 Super Duty. These trucks are popular applications for emergency use, including ambulances offered by the likes of Braun and Medix.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2025 Ford F-650/F-750 Super Duty
Engine:
7.3-litre V8 (335 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque)
6.7-litre Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel* (270 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque, 300 hp and 825 lb-ft of torque, 330/850 lb-ft of torque)
Transmission:
6-speed TorqShift automatic
10-speed TorqShift automatic
Cab Configurations:
Regular Cab, SuperCab, Crew Cab
Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:
37,000 lbs (16,750 kg)
Maximum Combined Vehicle Weight Rating
50,000 lbs (22,650 kg)
*Three different states of tune available
