Over the last few years, Ford's given would-be Super Duty owners a lot of near-custom styling choices. The Harley-Davidson and King Ranch Editions came first, followed by last year's bright-yellow Amarillo Package and the Chrome Package. For 2007, the Blue Oval workhorses receive two new option packages: the Lariat Highline Edition (with billet-style grille, chrome step bars, tow hooks, exhaust tips, and side mirrors), offered only on SuperCab models, and the Lariat Outlaw Package, exclusively on Crew Cabs. Both new styling packages are available for single rear-wheel F-250s and F-350s-sorry, dualie lovers.
The Outlaw Package is a styling treatment Johnny Cash fans will love: It's almost entirely black. The exterior is high-gloss black, with chrome tubular side steps and exhaust tip. The grille, front and rear bumpers, and side mirrors are black. The paintjob is finished off with a red pinstripe along the sides and a special "Outlaw" decal near the back of the bed. The ebony theme continues in the spacious cabin, where the upscale Lariat trim level is the starting point. Outlaw adds black leather captain's chairs with red accents. Between the front seats is a black center console, and the rear bench is a FlexFold 60/40 split. Other interior touches include black carpet, B-pillars, door trim, and door sills. There also are unique Outlaw instrument panel details.
There are some rather specific requirements for the Outlaw. In addition to the aforementioned cab and rear-wheel setup, the F-250/350 also must have the 325-horsepower, 6.0-liter Power Stroke and five-speed TorqShift automatic, four-wheel drive, and trailer-tow mirrors. It's limited to the 156-inch wheelbase, so the Outlaw's available only as a shortbed. Like the Super Duty line, standard gearing is 3.73:1; a limited-slip is optional, and the addition of Tow Command gives you more axle choices. Twenty-inch wheels also are available.
As you might expect, the Outlaw drives and feels just like a normal, fully loaded Super Duty. The engine and transmission are well paired, and there are no significant changes to either for the new model year (but look for next year's Super Duty to get a new Power Stroke and model restyle. We'll have more information in our next issue). The Outlaw's attractive styling touches give the Ford a solid, aggressive feel. Like the King Ranch, Amarillo, and Harley-Davidson trucks, this package isn't for the budget-minded Ford buyer. But if you're prepared to spend in the neighborhood of $50,000, it's not a bad way to have one of the coolest F-Series trucks on the road.