A paint type and process that provides a rich, lustrous finish that is easy to care for. The clearcoat paint process consists of acrylic enamel final coats.

A patented system that filters out over 90 percent of pollen, road dust and other particles larger than three microns before they can reach the passenger cabin.

Systems designed to protect the occupants of a vehicle without any further actions on the occupant’s part. Passive restraint systems, energy-absorbing crumple zones, and energy- absorbing steering columns are all examples of passive safety features.

The weight of the actual cargo and occupant(s) carried by a vehicle. Payload capacities are computed by subtracting the curb weight of the vehicle from its specified Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The addition of any optional equipment or passengers adds to the vehicle weight and subtracts from the allowable payload.

A-Pillar
The first, most forward, roof support pillar located on either side of the windshield. Also known as windshield pillar or A-post.

B-Pillar
The center roof support that divides the front and rear doors on 4-door and wagon models. On 2-door models, the B-pillar separates the door and rear quarter window/panel. On vans and Club Wagons, the B-pillar is behind the front doors.

C-Pillar
The rear roof supporting member on most vehicles. On station wagons, this pillar separates the rear doors and quarter panel glass.

D-Pillar
The vertical, or sometimes diagonal, roof-support member at the extreme rear of the roof or greenhouse structure on wagons, minivans, sport utility vehicles and some sedan body styles.

This is the combined maximum allowable weight of cargo and passengers that the vehicle is designed to carry. It is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus the Base Curb Weight.

A cylindrical component which is closed at one end and is connected to the crankshaft by a connecting rod. The force of an explosion in the cylinder’s combustion chamber forces the closed end of the piston down, causing the connecting rod to move the crankshaft.

The rotation along an imaginary axis between the front and rear wheels of a vehicle that causes a vehicle to move up or down along the front to rear axis. Often, during hard braking, the vehicle’s nose will pitch forward. This is called diving. During acceleration, the rear of the vehicle’s pitch is lower. This motion is called squatting.37

A chamber between the throttle body and the runners of an intake manifold used to distribute the intake charge evenly and to enhance airflow and engine performance. (Also called plenum chamber.)

The unit of measure for engine torque commonly abbreviated as lb.-ft. The commonly used term of foot-pounds more properly is a measurement of work, rather than of torque.

Power Adjustable Accelerator and Brake Pedals provide greater comfort and convenience for drivers of virtually any height by allowing the driver to move the pedals closer or farther away from them, depending on the length of the driver’s legs and where the driver feels most comfortable.

Allow you to easily adjust the accelerator and brake pedals forward and rearward for improved driving comfort.

The rpm range over which an engine delivers a substantial portion of its peak power. The power band generally extends from slightly below the engine’s torque peak to slightly above its power peak.

Power takeoff refers to using the vehicle’s powertrain as a power source to perform some work other than moving the vehicle. Examples of this work include operating auxiliary equipment such as a wrecker and snowplow lifts, dump bodies, hydraulic/pneumatic tools and so on. The PTO unit is located between the powertrain and the device it powers. When a vehicle is doing this work while it is not moving, keep in mind that it is also deprived of the cooling benefits airflow provides. Because of this, it is important not to block the front grille or bumper openings. Specific precautions are listed in the Body Builders Layout Book. While Ford does not offer the actual PTO units, Ford Super Duty F-Series engineers worked closely with two PTO aftermarket suppliers (Dana Chelsea and Muncie) during development of the truck. This work helped create two different Ford-specific aftermarket units that bolt directly onto the automatic transmission’s optional power takeoff interface (the interface is standard on Super Duty models equipped with a manual transmission).

A power takeoff provision is a port from the transmission that can be uncovered allowing easy installation of a PTO unit supplied by the aftermarket manufacturer. This port may be located on either side of the transmission or, in some cases, both sides. Before the introduction of the 1999 Super Duty F-Series, transmission PTO provisions were only available in conjunction with manual transmissions, or with the transfer case on four-wheel-drive F-350 models. Now you can mount a PTO directly to an automatic transmission (there is no longer a transfer case PTO provision).

Although power-to-weight ratios may be configured in many ways, it is the proportion of the vehicle’s curb weight divided by the vehicle’s horsepower measured at peak rpm. A vehicle that produces more horsepower than another vehicle of equal weight will have a greater power-to-weight ratio.

A fancy automotive term for the car lighter. If you don’t smoke, the 12-volt power point is an excellent energy source capable of powering small appliances.

These diesel engines are tuned to generate large amounts of stump-pulling torque at low RPM, while significantly increasing fuel economy compared to standard engines of comparable size.

This diesel engine is tuned to generate large amounts of torque at low rpm while increasing fuel economy compared to standard engines of comparable size.

The name given to the combination of engine, transmission/transaxle and differential (rear-wheel drive only) for any particular model.

The measurement of pressure that results from a specified amount of gas in a limited volume. For example, the more air that is put into a tire, the greater the psi. Normal atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi.

This high technology provides Excursion and Super Duty F-Series with an outstanding four-wheel-drive system. The Pulse Vacuum Hublock (PVH) system allows synchronous hublock engagement when the driver shifts on the fly, resulting in smooth, quiet functioning. 4x4 engagements and disengagements can be made while driving at virtually any speed. No shift delays, even in extremely cold temperatures. Allows total disengagement of front wheels when in the 4x2 mode, resulting in maximized performance and fuel economy. No regular service intervals required under normal driving conditions. This does not include severe off-road maintenance. Excursion and Super Duty F-Series 4x4 models equipped with the PVH system feature a manual override.

The connecting link in an operating mechanism that opens the valve for the duration and lift of the cam to allow the engine to intake and exhaust the air/fuel mixture. In a conventional layout, the force is transferred to the rocker arms. In engines that employ an overhead camshaft, the pushrod is eliminated to reduce friction for better performance.