Super Duty focuses on details

It's a little thing, but the coin holder stores $7.53. Not $7.52 and not $7.54.

No matter how big the the 2011 F-Series Super Duty pickup is and no matter how much it can haul, it's this overall obsessive-compulsive attention to every small detail along with a vastly improved performance profile that makes plenty of dollars and cents for buyers of Ford's popular mighty monster.

There's competition aplenty in virtually every vehicle classification, but nowhere is it more cutthroat than in the heavy-duty truck department. Within the past year, all three domestic brands have issued all-new or heavily revised editions of their top-dog pickups, all featuring bulked-up powertrains, increased load ratings and leading edge comfort and safety features. Despite the battle, Ford states it has been the frontrunner for the past three decades. The sales numbers would certainly back up that claim.

Although the sheetmetal and box sizes remain mostly unchanged, the one area that differentiates new from the so-yesterday SD is a more prominent "power dome" hood along with a bolder grille and front bumper. Combined with a set of extra-large headlamps, the SD imparts a dominating sense of robust strength that continues to be its hallmark. Says exterior design manager Brad Richards, "The SD is not a bashful vehicle by any means."

No kidding.

A quick check at the numbers would appear to back up the SD's visual promise. On the gasoline-engine front, a new 6.2-liter V-8 rules the roost with 385 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. That improves on the 2010 model's 300/365 rating from its 5.4 liter V-8 and even compares with the terminated V-10 engine's 362 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque.

For major muscle and sinew, the SD can be fitted with a brand-new Ford-developed 6.7-liter V-8 turbo-diesel that generates 390 horsepower and 735 pound-feet of torque. The previous diesel maxed out at 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Either regular or B20 fuel (which contains 80 percent petroleum diesel mixed with 20 percent biodiesel) can be fed to this Clydesdale workhorse.

Selecting the turbo-diesel is your portal to a payload capacity of up to 6,520 pounds and a fifth-wheel towing capacity of up to 24,400 pounds. In addition, you can now order a factory-installed fifth-wheel hitch that will let you start pulling your yacht or mobile mansion right now.

Both powerplants are connected to six-speed automatic transmissions. For turbo-diesel applications, there's a newly available "Live Drive" power take off (PTO) unit, consisting of an extra transmission output gear that can control accessories such as a snow plow, tow-truck lift or even a dump-truck-style box.

Other new-found equipment includes trailer-sway and roll stability control to help keep you and your load shiny side up. Hill Start Assist keeps you from rolling backward while stopped on an incline and Hill Decent Control holds the SD at a set speed while traveling down a steep grade.

Yet another new option prevents the lockup of the trailer's binders when the anti-lock program of the SD's brakes kicks in.

All models -- XL, XLT, Lariat and King Ranch -- benefit from suspension changes and a new steering gear that Ford says will improve ride comfort, surefootedness and steering precision.

As in previous editions, the SD continues to be offered in regular, extended SuperCab and four-door Crew Cab configurations as well as two box sizes and in rear- or optional four-wheel-drive.

The F-series Super Duty certainly possesses the content, the raw power and the well-earned reputation to retain its position as the top domestic hauler. But it's also clear that both Chrysler's Ram and the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra duo have the SD in their sights and are taking a serious run at No. 1. The winners, of course, are truckers seeking the best rig that money can buy.