Cancel '23 Ranger order for '23 F-150? Why, seriously, is the F-150 $20k more than the Ranger?

[moutaindude]

I've been waiting 3+ months now and still have no build date for my loaded '23 Ranger XLT FX4 SCAB ($43k MSRP before X-Plan).

I've since come into some money and a new track car I will be towing several times per summer - up to 12-14 hour highway trips. I know the Ranger can handle my tow rig at ~5200 lbs loaded plus a bed full of track supplies, tools, rain tires/wheels, luggage, etc. I was prepared for the possibility that the EcoBoost I4 might not be a 150k+ mile engine.

Now that budget isn't an issue, I'm thinking about switching my order to a 5.0l F-150 Crew 6.5' bed, either a loaded XLT or Lariat, in either case with the Max Tow Package. I have a few reasons for this:

(1) Bed volume,
(2) Engine durability for long-haul towing,
(3) Comfort of rear-seat passengers in a Crew Cab on the rare occasion I carry family with me, and
(3) I *might* find ways to use the additional payload and tow capacity building my new house

Ford wants an additional $20,000 for the F-150 over the Ranger w/ similarly equipped tech/interior options. I don't understand what they are doing with that money.

I'm also not excited about 20" wheels (with the F-150 max tow pack) and I know the Ranger would be a better daily driver and maybe(?) better on rough, muddy/snowy skidder roads I use to get to hunting land, to my garbage-burn site, to go cut a Christmas tree, etc.

1. What is Ford really doing with the +$20k for the F-150 build over the Ranger? The F-150 is only a few hundred pounds more material than the Ranger and even uses the same transmission. Is Ford just taking massive profit margins on full-size trucks?

2. I was counting on the Ranger's 'off-road' capabilities for accessing some quite rough and sometimes muddy/snowy skidder trails. I intended to swap the stock Ranger's tires for better AT's. If I have an F-150 on 20" wheels, I am less-likely to make a swap. But assuming equivalent rubber, is an F-150 'FX4' as-capable as the Ranger for my skidder-road driving (not 'off-roading', just *not* getting a new truck stuck in the woods)?

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[AzScorpion]

Well the interior is larger and more roomy which means more comfort. I think the rear seating is also larger (I haven't checkout one out since I sold my '16) which favors families for the kids. Plus it is the #1 selling truck for 40+ years so you can expect a higher price for that too. Why, because they can. It doesn't make it right but if people are willing to pay for it they'll just keep marking them up.

 

[MountainGoat]

Imo keep the Ranger and spend the extra $20k on NFTs instead.

 

[BettaRanga]

The full sized trucks are overpriced imo - same with large SUVs like the Tahoe, suburban, expedition, etc.

Doesn’t make sense to me that a Chevy Traverse should be 50k and a Tahoe 75k.

 

[D Fresh]

When I bought my loaded Ranger everybody I spoke to seemed to THINK I could get an equivalent F-150 for the same price.

Clearly they hadn't shopped recently.

This has always been the case with the exception of incentives. Those incentives are gone now that dealer stocks are low.

I've been saying for decades that I'd rather have a loaded Ranger than a stripped down F-150. I just finally did it.

 

[CO2Ranger]

Are you positive you're good on the towing side? With that trailer plus items in the bed, seems like you're pushing your tongue weight/payload. Not an expert myself, just seems like a lot.

 

[ControlNode]

If I were looking for more towing than the Ranger, I would just skip the F150 and go to a Super Duty. For the price difference, the F150 towing/payload over the Ranger is not worth it IMO. Also remember, for trailers over 5,000lb Ford says the F150 needs a WD setup, that adds to the cost and makes switching between trailers if you rent them a hassle.

 

[Jason B]

How much extra was the 5.0?

 

[bbenea]

I've been wondering that too, we had a loaner F-150STX with a 5.0, pretty barren for $51K. Couldn't wrap my head around that price point and no technology. Had to use an actual key to start the thing. Seems like the flagship of the fleet should come standard with push button start and keyless entry. My Escape and Ranger both have that as well as adaptive cruise at a much lower price point.

 

[Jason B]

I've been wondering that too, we had a loaner F-150STX with a 5.0, pretty barren for $51K. Couldn't wrap my head around that price point and no technology. Had to use an actual key to start the thing. Seems like the flagship of the fleet should come standard with push button start and keyless entry. My Escape and Ranger both have that as well as adaptive cruise at a much lower price point.

If you get the Lariat F150, at a premium price, you get the push button start. Same as Ranger Lariat.

 

[moutaindude]

When I bought my loaded Ranger everybody I spoke to seemed to THINK I could get an equivalent F-150 for the same price.

Clearly they hadn't shopped recently.

Agree entirely. I hear this constantly. 1/2 tons are much more expensive than people seem to think.

If I were looking for more towing than the Ranger, I would just skip the F150 and go to a Super Duty. For the price difference, the F150 towing/payload over the Ranger is not worth it IMO.

I have thought about this as well and a business I am involved with takes the same approach: 1/4 ton trucks for moving tools and people and 3/4 tons for towing, plowing and 'truck' work.

How much extra was the 5.0?

Maybe $2K over the N/A V6? I admittedly haven't fully researched the powertrain options for the F-150 but was assuming I would want an upgrade over the base V6 and preferred a non-forced-induction motor.

 

[dtech]

Ford , GM and Stellantis make healthy profits on trucks and have for decades, esp full sized where they are consistently acknowledged to have the best products (Ford of course being the best of all) . But those truck profits are one of the main reasons we still have an auto industry in the US. Nothin wrong with making healthy margins when you have superior products, many people will pay the going price.

"What is Ford really doing with the +$20k for the F-150 build over the Ranger? The F-150 is only a few hundred pounds more material than the Ranger and even uses the same transmission. Is Ford just taking massive profit margins on full-size trucks?"

Some of it going towards investment in future products - like EVs. Also when demand outpaces supply prices follow the laws of economics.

 

[moutaindude]

Ford , GM and Stellantis make healthy profits on trucks and have for decades, esp full sized where they are consistently acknowledged to have the best products (Ford of course being the best of all) . But those truck profits are one of the main reasons we still have an auto industry in the US. Nothin wrong with making healthy margins when you have superior products, many people will pay the going price.

Point taken. But as a buyer seeking advice on a message board for buyers, I am interested in maximizing the value I receive in this particular transaction. This will likely come at the cost of the seller's profit margin (as a percent of the money exchanged though not necessarily a dollar value). These are the incentives that make markets work.

 

[dtech]

Point taken. But as a buyer seeking advice on a message board for buyers, I am interested in maximizing the value I receive in this particular transaction. This will likely come at the cost of the seller's profit margin (as a percent of the money exchanged though not necessarily a dollar value). These are the incentives that make markets work.

good luck with your search, finding the best deal can be sometimes just timing and luck (happened with my buy) but others times a good deal of work and making compromises. hope this "buyers board" has helped.

 

[JohnnyO]

If you're going to routinely haul heavy loads for a long distance I'd get an F-150. More safety margin built in there.
You can get an STX for a few thousand less than an XLT.

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