History of the 2008 Ford Harley Davidson Truck
The 2008 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson pickup truck is the 10th special edition truck stemming from the collaboration between Ford and the motorcycle maker. Over the years, the Harley-Davidson edition has improved its horsepower rating and introduced a supercharged engine.
Origins
Ford Motor Co. and Harley-Davidson were founded in 1903 in Detroit and Milwaukee, respectively. Ford became wildly successful through the perfection of the assembly line process, beginning in 1908. Harley-Davidson survived when other motorcycle makers failed because of its emphasis on building motorcycles for the military during World Wars I and II.
Collaboration
Collaboration between the two vehicles was a natural move. Ford was developing performance trucks to compete against Chevrolet's Silverado Super Sport models and sought a high-performance image with Harley-Davidson that appealed to the same demographic: moderate to affluent performance-conscious buyers. The base price of the 2008 HD version was $38,185, according to Seriouswheels.com.
Previous Models
Since the brand was introduced, the F-150 Harley-Davidson's horsepower has grown substantially. The model introduced in 1999 featured the 5.4-liter Triton V-8, generating 260 horsepower, and then increased to 300 hp in 2006. The supercharged 2007 model V-8 achieved 450 hp, according to Truck Trend.
Siblings
The 2008 all-wheel-drive Harley-Davidson edition comes on the heels of the performance Saleen S331 Sport Truck, the Shelby GT 150 and the supercharged Chip Foose F-150. The HD model incorporates many of the elements of these performance vehicles, according to Popular Mechanics.
Power
The 2008 Harley-Davidson F-150, like the 2007 HDs, features the same supercharged 450-horsepower engine as the Saleen, Shelby and Chip Foose versions. It generates a hefty 500 pound-feet of torque. The 2008 supercharged model can go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, compared with the 2001 standard 5.4-liter V-8, which achieved 0 to 60 mph in 9 seconds. Combined with a five-speed automatic transmission, the 2008 model carries a payload capacity of 1,100 pounds, according to Truck Trend.
Structure
With the exception of the supercharged powerplant, the 2008 Harley-Davidson is based on the SuperCrew F-150 Lariat luxury model found in all previous versions. With the supercharger, the 2008 F-150 was the most powerful HD model ever produced. It was offered only in the SuperCrew cab configuration, a tuned suspension and high-performance tires on 22-inch aluminum rims. The supercharger cost buyers an extra $6,500, according to Truck Trend and Seriouswheels.com.
Features
The 2008 HD version of the F-150 was the largest model, growing a half-inch in the wheelbase at 139 inches and gaining 800 pounds over the 1999 model with a hefty curb weight rating of 5,600 pounds. Distinctive body features included bumpers and trim pieces the same color as the body and large Harley-Davidson logos on the tailgate and front fenders, according to Edmunds.com. Inside, Harley badging is everywhere: shift lever, dash, console and window trim. Top-quality leather seats from the ultra-luxury King Ranch trim model also are featured, according to Popular Mechanics.
Tags: 2008 Ford, according Truck, according Truck Trend, Truck Trend, 2008 Ford Harley, 2008 Harley-Davidson, 2008 version
