Filed under: Spy Photos, Trucks/Pickups, Ford There's been some behind-the-scenes speculation as to whether or not these spy photos of a six-door Ford F-150 mule are the real thing showing a recent prototype or old shots of a truck that time forgot, but they've just been verified as the real deal, having been shot as recently as last Tuesday. The very long F-150 features two regular doors, two extended cab suicide doors, and two extra doors at the leading edge of the bed. These two extra doors appear to open up into a trunk of sorts that could pack away the groceries and toolboxes in a secure place, while also serving to possibly stiffen the structure that no doubt has been compromised by the extra inches. Of course, we have no official word from Ford that this feature might be an option on the upcoming 2009 F-150, but bed doors are not a new idea. Some of you may remember the Chevy Cheyenne concept from the 2003 Detroit Auto Show that featured similar doors, though they obviously didn't end up on the 2007 Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra. That decision may prove to be a significant oversight if the new F-150 shows up next year with an extra set of hinges. [Source: Pickuptruck.com] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time More...
Mavbot, this is one of your more interesting posts. I think this is a cool idea. (Yes, I'm well aware that "Mav.bot" is not a person - but he's a member of the board. Let's show some respect. )
Thinking about this small picture makes me wonder WHY? why would they put a small door in the front of the bed? I deal with trucks everyday and this makes no sense to me. It is just a point of weakness in the bed and takes away from the strength and integrety of the entire bed. Maybe it looks cool, but from an upfitter stand point it's not liked (by me anyway) just more doors to tape around for a bed liner. just imagine how flimsey the left side of the bed will be?? jmo. wayne
I thought about that too, Wayne. I suspected the bed doesn't add 'that much' structural support. Maybe they've added additional support to help stiffen that area (like they do convertibles)? I can see it (the door) being used by the vertically challenged missus when she goes to grocery store.
After seeing that ridiculous tailgate step that is available on the '08 Super Duties, this new gimmick is right up Ford's alley these days.
I sprayed one of the new 08 f250's yesterday, the tailgate with the step in it, the tailgate weigh's in at about 80 pounds!!! the bed is really no different on the inside although the truck ran quite well.
I have always wanted a lockable storage area in my truck that didn't come in the form of one of those lousy cross-bed tool boxes. You can't reach them from the ground and they take up too much space in the bed. There's some stuff I don't want to store inside the truck either like dirty boots, tools, tow chains, pintle adapters, etc. So a built-in lockable "trunk" that you can reach into from standing on the ground and still hose out is something that I would see as an asset. I'd definitely be interested in such an option.