ZBODaytona

yes they are going to offer a bed on the new 450's from what i have been reading. It will be a factory option instead of an after market one. But again this is just what i am reading...I don't like the fact that the 450's could possible get less power, (if that is true) not sure why that is needed. maybe with the 4.30 and 4.88 gear sets available ford doesn't think it needs as much power.

Though gotta say i love my 4.30 geared F350...just wished it had 6th gear with a higher overdrive (when not in tow haul)...just for those empty trips down the interstate at 80...

Cattitude

The Dmax gets a similar detuning in the 4500/5500 trucks and the same lower gears- it's how they let the same drivetrain carry heavier loads- more torque multiplication. My 3.73's with 35's get old, 4.30's with smaller tires would drive me nuts unless i drove in 60mph land. The 350 has a pretty decent tow rating anyway, but I guess they are throwing ring and pinion at the truck to get it.

OL40SVX

Neat idea Ford on that tailgate step......

ZBODaytona

well actually the 4.30's aren't bad. just running around 80 drops the miles down to 17.1 from over 18 at 65, and if i could run 60 or less the thing gets even better....really i am not complaining cause 17 is darn good for a 8000lbs truck running 80.. uh i mean the speed limit....my real reason for the 4.30, is one i could, but really so when i put a bigger tire on it, the gearing would be close to my old one with 4.10....but then again this is an f350 not the 450...
the real nice thing would be like i said earlier if they moved to a 6 speed auto with i nice over-over drive (maybe not in tow haul) then i could have both, my gearing for towing and my mileage for runing the speed, but i guess that is to hard for them...

Cattitude

I guess i forget the higher revs/powerband for the ford- mine pulls great from 1400 and 1600rpm seems like the sweet spot.

Dodge's new 6 speed auto is said to have a double OD, I think 6th is .63 or something close to that.