Issue link: http://pfmmag.epubxp.com/i/77229
T The F-150 SSV is available in SuperCrew and SuperCab. The rear seat room of the SuperCrew is huge. There is plenty of room for a prisoner partition. W The F-150 SSV comes with the center "20" seat removed, leaving plenty of room for a full array of police gear. The driver and passenger seats are both comfortable and supportive. Importantly, the SSV truck comes standard with a 220 amp alternator. Tis replaced the 200 amp version used in the XL-trim work truck. Te SSV includes 17-inch steel wheels and skid plates standard on 4x4. Te F-150 SSV in 4x4 has the Order Code 413 skid plate option, even though this normally requires the XLT-trim level. Te skid plates protect the fuel tank, transfer case and front differential. Te SSV has a flat black grille and the running boards have been deleted. Ford Fleet stopped short of adding a lot of extra or police-only features to the SSV package. Te first reason for this is to keep the costs down. Again, the SSV package is a no-charge option. Te sec- ond reason is almost as compelling: don't mess with success. Te F-150 work truck is already widely used and doesn't need much of a tweak to fill the police need. Te third reason was to make the appeal of the SSV version as wide as possible to both government and commercial fleets, i.e., the red / blue light community of police, fire, commercial enforcement and fish, game and wildlife and also the amber light community of public works, constriction, oil / gas and rail. As such, the SSV is a step up from the basic work truck, but not to the level of pursuit-rated truck. In fact, a lowered suspension, pursuit-capable truck could be seen as taking away some of what makes the pickup so useful in law enforcement. Tink of the SSV as an XL work truck with a bigger alternator, available in a wider variety of engines and with cloth / vinyl seat cover- ing and rubber / carpet floor covering combinations and other options not otherwise available. For example, the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is not available on the retail truck with XL-trim. Neither are skid plates. Driving Impressions We put 1,700 miles on the very first production F-150 SSV built, intercepting it between the Dearborn Truck Plant and its introduc- tion at the Police Fleet Expo – Charlotte. Tis was a SuperCrew, 4x4 powered by the 365 hp, 3.5L EcoBoost (twin turbo) V6. After a wide variety of driving and duties, we have nothing but high praise for the F-150 SSV. Tis F-150 SSV is quick, quiet and comfort- able on the road. Of course, it had plenty of room in the front and second row seats. Te ride comfort (empty) was firmer than the Silverado, but not as firm as the Ram. Te visibility is outstanding. We have a long history with 5.4L V8 Ford, 5.3L V8 Chevy and 5.7L V8 Ram pickups. Te 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine – believe it or not – is their better. It has gobs of power for acceleration or passing power and no, repeat, no turbo lag. Tis powertrain has more than power to spare. In fact, this is one very fast truck. Te new 6-speed trans helped both the acceleration and the fuel mile- age. Te electronic-controlled 6-speed was extremely well-mannered. It was always in the right gear for what we wanted the truck to do. No hunting for the best gear. Te gear ratios during the upshifts were well- spaced with no "flat" spots where the gap between ratios was too wide. S The F-150 SSV comes with argent painted, 17- inch steel wheels. The on-road / off-road tires have all the traction bases covered. www.pfmmag.com 17