Ford Mighty F-350 Tonka Concept Truck

Ford Brought the 50 year tradition of the tough Tonka truck to life in this Mighty F-350 Tonka concept truck revealed at the 2002 North American International Auto Show. Ford really stepped up to their slogan of ‘Built Ford Tough’.

The interior of this truck is designed to be functional and sophisticated while placing the driver in full command. Snap on gauges and oversize, aircraft-inspired toggle switches deliver versatility and durability. A manual Torquemaster controller allows the driver to shift torque left or right, front or back. The blue leather and cloth interior features a drivers seat with a full floating suspension similar to what’s found in larger commercial trucks.

Under the hood is Ford’s preview of the next generation Power Stroke diesel. Called the Super-600, this 6.0-liter V8 is mated to a five-speed PowerTorq automatic transmission that puts out 350 horsepower and 600 ft-lbs. of torque. The engine has four valves per cylinder and a single block mounted OHV camshaft. The Super-600 also shows off Electronic Variable Response Turbocharging (EVRT), that helps provide boost over a wide range of driving and altitude conditions, Hydraulic Rail Fuel Injection at pressures up to 24,000 psi, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), that brings cooler exhaust gases back into the combustion chamber to lower the temperature and improve emissions, and easy access to maintenance items such as the oil filter – that pops out like a printer cartridge.

Ford has also cooperated with automotive supplier Eaton Corporation to introduce Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA) into the Mighty F-350 Tonka’s powertrain. A brand new concept designed to greatly improve fuel economy, HLA recovers some of the energy lost during braking and converts and stores it as hydraulic pressure. During acceleration this stored energy is released and its torque applied to the driveshaft through the clutch. For 10-15 seconds all acceleration comes from the HLA system while the engine idles.

The outside featured LED headlight and taillights and a 5th wheel hitch in the bed. The truck sits over 7-feet tall, and rides on 315/60 tires on 22-inch rims. You enter the truck with the assistance of chrome steps that drop from the rocker panels on hydraulic rams. When you close the door the truck rises another 5-inches on air springs.

Best Concept Feature:

Hydraulic Launch Assist, which used stored hydraulic pressure captured during braking to accelerate the truck from a stop for the first 10 to 15 seconds while the engine idled, to save fuel.

Powertrain:

300-hp 6.0-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel and five-speed automatic transmission.

What Made It To Production:

Though nowhere near as chiseled, the 2008 Ford F-Series Super Duty and 2009 F-150 both inherited some of the Tonka’s tough truck DNA in their exterior styling.

The 6.0-liter Power Stroke V-8 made it to production, too, though many owners probably wish it hadn’t.