When there's an especially big job to do, Ford’s 2016 F-450 lineup will have you covered. This 5- or 6-passenger full-size heavy duty pickup once again comes in only a 4-door Crew Cab variant, boasting standard part-time 4-wheel drive (4WD) and standard dual rear wheels. A significant change hinted for the 2016 edition of this capable behemoth is the use of military-grade aluminum alloy in certain body components, along with a high-strength steel chassis. Use of these aluminum and upgraded steel parts was introduced for the 2015 F-150 line and has worked out pretty well, according to Ford. Again for 2016, the F-450 lineup will include the base XL, up-featured XLT, plush Lariat, western-oriented King Ranch, and flagship Platinum trims. Further changes for next year, meanwhile, could include upgrades to standard and optional appearance adornments and creature comforts, along with the improved body and chassis materials. Standard power for the 2016 F-450 is still courtesy of Ford's 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 engine. With the traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission also returning, look for this grunt-laden V8 oil burner to put out 440 hp and an incredible 860 lb-ft of torque. Towing numbers are maxed out at 19,000 pounds with a conventional hitch, and 31,200 pounds using the available fifth-wheel setup. Mileage figures are not estimated by the EPA for trucks this size, but total payload is claimed by Ford to be 7,200 pounds. In addition to the standard 4WD system, each F-450 comes with a limited-slip differential, while an electronically locking rear differential remains optional in the FX4 Off-Road package. A locking tailgate, 19.5-inch alloy wheels, and step running boards are expected to again adorn the profile of each 2016 F-450, while inside, lower trims will keep sporting cloth or vinyl upholstery and bench seats, with higher trims adding niceties like standard leather upholstery, front bucket seats (for 5 passenger capacity), and full power accessories. Telescoping tilt-wheel steering is also standard across this brute’s 2016 trim-level list, while cruise control and an integrated trailer brake controller come standard on higher trim levels. Manual air conditioning is again standard on the XL and the XLT, while the Lariat and higher levels boast dual-zone automatic climate control, and a power-sliding rear window. Techno-wise, look for the return of standard Bluetooth-integrated SYNC infotainment functions in all but the XL, with higher trims sporting standard MyFord Touch voice control with the ubiquitous 8-inch touchscreen. Entertainment features range from an AM/FM stereo with 2 speakers in the XL, to a CD player with 4 or 8 speakers, satellite radio, and auxiliary audio input that returns to complement the XLT and higher trim levels. Further standard bling aboard upper-echelon 2016 F-450 trims levels should still include memory for driver settings, remote engine start, a rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, power-adjustable front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and wood-tone interior accents. Should you want to shell out for the King Ranch or the top-shelf Platinum, look for GPS navigation and Sony premium audio components to come standard, with the Platinum also including 20-inch polished alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, and a tailgate assist step. Look for many of these higher-trim features to be optional on lower trims. Further available trim-level-dependent add-ons include various rear axle ratios, a spray-in bedliner, and the popular Ford Work Solutions in-dash computer. Furthermore, besides the electronic rear locking differential, the FX4 Off-Road package offers all-terrain tires, descent control, skid plates, and beefy Rancho shock absorbers. As for safety features, the 2016 F-450 lineup is expected to continue toting standard 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) and traction control but, curiously, still sans stability control. Look, however, for front side-mounted airbags, as well as front and rear head airbags, to return for the upcoming year, not to mention Ford’s SOS post-collision alert technology. Finally, owners of the various current F-450 trim levels are impressed with its sheer power, but some feel that its profile and interior ambiance are getting a bit long in the tooth. Nevertheless, look for the 2016 version of this aluminum-clad jumbo-sized workhorse to again go head-to-head with traditional rivals like Ram’s 3500, Chevy’s Silverado 3500HD, and GMC’s hefty Sierra 3500HD when it hits Ford showrooms in the late summer of 2015.