THE F-Series dash is wide and utilitarian. Predominantly grey with a black, one-piece instrument panel surround, it matches the steering column, steering wheel, column shift transmission selector arm and stalks. The XLT dual-cab has plenty of storage space in the deep centre armrest/console and two smaller storage compartments in the centre of the dash. But Ford, for some reason, has left out the most common of all compartments - the glovebox. A single 12-volt auxiliary power outlet sits high in the centre of the dash, just above the mandatory cigarette lighter socket. Cruise control, which is standard on XLT models and not available on XL models, is operated remotely via steering wheel-mounted controls and the V8 runs smoothly at all speed settings with virtually no transmission hunting. Air-conditioning is standard across the range and works well on cooling. But the vent selection does not allow air to be directed to the windscreen for cold weather demisting and the cabin has no rear window demister. Despite its ex-factory right-hand drive build, F250's column shift transmission selector arm remains on the door side of the steering wheel and volume control for the radio is on the far left (left-hand-drive style), which is at full reach for the driver in this wide vehicle. Despite these and other quirky design issues, one soon becomes comfortable with the layout and the volumes of space on offer.