How Many Have Gone From Ranger to F150? Hybrid Specifically.

[mtbikernate]

I do agree that the buttons on the Ranger's dash leave a bit to be desired. More texture. Backlighting. The way they are, with the right lighting conditions, the unlit dash just washes out into a sea of darkness. On my XLT, though, if you can find the buttons, you can adjust temp on the dash. This is part of the reason I set mine on "auto" all the time...so I don't have to mess with it as much.

On the groceries thing, I understand the back seat thing to a degree. Yes, on a grocery trip for two, I can fill the backseat pretty well. But if I make a run to Sam's, I can oftentimes put some of the big boxes in the bed with little concern. When I lived in TX, I knew folks who'd put a big cooler in the bed of their trucks for grocery runs. And somehow I managed grocery runs with a std. cab Ranger BITD.

Wife's car is better suited for shopping trips, though. Ever since I was a kid, I'd refer to wagons/hatchbacks as grocery-getters (def not an original thing - I picked it up from someone else).

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[Friday yet?]

Had many many F-150's as company vehicles earlier in my career. As such never needed to buy a truck. Haven't had a company vehicle in a long time. Bought my first truck, '06 Frontier NISMO, when the Ranger wasn't offered. I wanted a truck, and decided that I preferred a mid-sized. While the Nissan was a complete POS, I never regretted going mid-sized. Worked perfectly for me. Fast forward to last year, wanted a truck (badly) and the Ranger was offered this time around. Do NOT regret it. Love driving it. Parking it or garage? Plenty of room! Hauls what I need when I need with no issues. Comfortable(very) on the road. Decent mileage. In my mind, mid-sized for the win!

Ironically, while on the road this week my rental vehicle is a '23 F-150 XLT CC 4x4. And, can't make this shit up... blue! Put about 100 miles on it yesterday. Will be making a 350 mile road trip tomorrow. Would I rather be in this or my Tremor? Tremor hands down. Me personally, I just like driving it better. Can't really quantify all the reasons. Will say that the seats in the Ranger are much more comfortable. Obviously that is a subjective opinion. But yesterday I found myself continually adjusting the seat trying to get it right. When I rent Expeditions, don't seem to have that problem. Weird. Overall is the F-150 roomier? Yes, obviously. Does that translate into more comfort? I don't find that to be the case. It's just bigger inside.

Just my 2 cents.

All that said, wish the OP the best with the new 150!

 

[UncleWillie]

I made the move to an F150 last October. I had many reasons for this. At this time in my life I needed the larger interior (kids), the larger bed (work and home), and towing capacity. I stopped prioritizing small and nimble and fuel efficient. My offroad use is usually on forest service roads, or along powerline/gas line rights-of-way where tight trails aren't really an issue. Parking is no prob.

I tested the 3.5 Powerboost and loved it. They were also had tremendous discounts at the time (- $10k of advertised price). I did my research, searched the forums, and ultimately pulled the trigger on a Tremor that was on the lot.

If you skim the 150 forums you'd think that the powerboost is a ticking timebomb, but that is just the nature of how forums work - horror stories everywhere. I think the Powerboost really shines for off grid use, powering a travel trailer, city driving. Highway speeds and towing you loose the MPG savings. But again, the Powerboost isn't advertised as some Eco vehicle.

 

[Raacerx]

This is all really helpful! Thank you. I know there are always people cycling out of a larger truck into a smaller one, and vice versa, but it's helpful to hear what people really noticed when they changed.

I am not a big guy, so the interior of the F150 feels absolutely enormous, but I've always struggled to find that "perfect" position in the Ranger. My longer legs and shorter upper torso always want the pedals further away and the steering wheel closer. F150 is able to achieve this with more adjustability.

I definitely don't have expectations of the F150 matching the Ranger or Tacoma in its off-road nimbleness, but in terms of actual off-road tech and traction, I don't see anything it's lacking. Locking rear diff, off-road modes, etc.

Interestingly enough, I've been comparing the F150 dimensions to my Ranger, rather than the Tacoma I was going to get.

The 6ft bed Tacoma Supercrew is literally the same width (without mirrors) as the F150, and the overall length of the truck is only about a foot longer.

Obviously the Tacoma has a smaller overall footprint, and the "width" isn't the whole story (could be fender flares, rather than full door), but that seems to make the decision even easier.

Wife would love for us to get a Bronco, and I hear the Powerboost model is coming out next year, but they're more expensive than an F150, less incentives, and unfortunately I need a bed for materials and tools.

 

[5thranger]

I solved this dilemma by having both

 

[Jason B]

Seeking advice.

After 3 years, I'm getting rid of my 2021 Ranger Tremor Lariat. I've been fairly unhappy with the truck overall, and while it's never had to be towed or left me truly stranded, it's had constant problems on and offroad and doesn't handle extreme situations well (lose A/C in high load / high heat, diffs lock up in snow, etc); time to move on.

My original plan was to get the Ranger Raptor, but I'm fairly soiled on the Ranger line and the fact that it's still the old PU chassis underneath, so I then decided to transition to the new Toyota Tacoma Hybrid.

However I never anticipated their pricing to be so freakin outrageous. I drove the non-hybrid TRD-Offroad Tacoma and was also pretty disappointed; it basically felt like my Ranger with a bit of a nicer interior and a few extra creature comforts that are largely available on the newer Ranger anyways. It seems like the truck Toyota should have released 4 years ago.

When I found out a 5ft bed TRD Offroad package Hybrid Tacoma was going to set me back nearly $60,000, and 6ft bed was only available with their ridiculous trims at $70,000, it made me rethink my whole approach. When I found out the Hybrid only gives 1-2mpg better, I really started to lose interest in the midsize segment and wonder what to do.

Drove the Ranger Raptor; fun truck, certainly more comfort than my '21 Tremor, but not any faster than my Stage 2, insurance is high, and the gas mileage is atrocious. It's also $60,000...

As I was leaving, the salesman asked me why I didn't want to consider an F150... I assumed with the huge jump in size (5" wider and nearly 22" longer) that the gas mileage and pricing was way worse.

Drove an F150 XLT Powerboost FX4 under their recommendation. I was very surprised.

Can someone explain to me how the F150 is also $60,000, and yet it has more power than a Ranger Raptor, better mileage than the Tacoma, and far more tech than either of them?

The thing hauls ass, the interior is far nicer than the Tacoma or the Ranger, the on-highway driving is more controlled and quieter, there's more creature comforts, self driving, insurance is less...

It seems like there's a catch, or have I just been duped by the midsize truck segment?

1st. Prices aren't based on power
2nd. Tacoma and Raptor are more desirable than F150 Hybrid.
3rd. F150 sales aren't where Ford would like them to be, so prices are lowered. Dealer lots near me are full of F150's, but have 1 or 2 Rangers, and I haven't seen a Ranger Raptor anywhere.

All in all, even if the F150 were less expensive than a Ranger, I'd still get the Ranger for size.

 

[got3fords]

I am not a big guy, so the interior of the F150 feels absolutely enormous, but I've always struggled to find that "perfect" position in the Ranger. My longer legs and shorter upper torso always want the pedals further away and the steering wheel closer. F150 is able to achieve this with more adjustability.

I am 6'1" with a 36" inseam. I think the Ranger feels great.

 

[OneMore]

HI Max,
Consider watching some of the TFL Truck videos on Youtube.
One of the team members, Andrey, bought a new Power Boost when it first came out. Spent his own money. Not a loner from Ford PR department.
You will find a series of videos about this truck in all conditions, towing, off road, mileage, and general use. This was couple of years ago so you'll need to go back a bit to locate them.
Lots of real world information from an actual owner.

I hope this will be helpful to you.

 

[DaveT]

Ok, but it's a pickup, what about the bed?

I wasn't talking about the bed. Oh yeah, you can put passengers there too.

 

[Retirednavy2010]

Seeking advice.

After 3 years, I'm getting rid of my 2021 Ranger Tremor Lariat. I've been fairly unhappy with the truck overall, and while it's never had to be towed or left me truly stranded, it's had constant problems on and offroad and doesn't handle extreme situations well (lose A/C in high load / high heat, diffs lock up in snow, etc); time to move on.

My original plan was to get the Ranger Raptor, but I'm fairly soiled on the Ranger line and the fact that it's still the old PU chassis underneath, so I then decided to transition to the new Toyota Tacoma Hybrid.

However I never anticipated their pricing to be so freakin outrageous. I drove the non-hybrid TRD-Offroad Tacoma and was also pretty disappointed; it basically felt like my Ranger with a bit of a nicer interior and a few extra creature comforts that are largely available on the newer Ranger anyways. It seems like the truck Toyota should have released 4 years ago.

When I found out a 5ft bed TRD Offroad package Hybrid Tacoma was going to set me back nearly $60,000, and 6ft bed was only available with their ridiculous trims at $70,000, it made me rethink my whole approach. When I found out the Hybrid only gives 1-2mpg better, I really started to lose interest in the midsize segment and wonder what to do.

Drove the Ranger Raptor; fun truck, certainly more comfort than my '21 Tremor, but not any faster than my Stage 2, insurance is high, and the gas mileage is atrocious. It's also $60,000...

As I was leaving, the salesman asked me why I didn't want to consider an F150... I assumed with the huge jump in size (5" wider and nearly 22" longer) that the gas mileage and pricing was way worse.

Drove an F150 XLT Powerboost FX4 under their recommendation. I was very surprised.

Can someone explain to me how the F150 is also $60,000, and yet it has more power than a Ranger Raptor, better mileage than the Tacoma, and far more tech than either of them?

The thing hauls ass, the interior is far nicer than the Tacoma or the Ranger, the on-highway driving is more controlled and quieter, there's more creature comforts, self driving, insurance is less...

It seems like there's a catch, or have I just been duped by the midsize truck segment?

I had two Tacomas (2015 and a 2017) and a 2019 Frontier. I had a full size GMC Sierra z71 and the size was a pain in the ass. Didn't fit in the garage, was always in the shop. So I stayed with the mid size trucks. The GMC certainly had more creature comforts, rode nicer and towed the camper with greater confidence. I would love a F150 or Tundra but just can't stomach the price.

 

[Friday yet?]

1st. Prices aren't based on power
2nd. Tacoma and Raptor are more desirable than F150 Hybrid.
3rd. F150 sales aren't where Ford would like them to be, so prices are lowered. Dealer lots near me are full of F150's, but have 1 or 2 Rangers, and I haven't seen a Ranger Raptor anywhere.

All in all, even if the F150 were less expensive than a Ranger, I'd still get the Ranger for size.

+1

 

[TheDo114]

I know this is not an F-150, but it might help you get insight on off roading a full size truck.

I like my ranger tremor, but I will be moving up to a full size for my next truck and it won't be a Ford until Ford fixes most of their QC issues.

I find myself cursing at the size of the bed too often, width and length. I've also started running into space issues since I have a car seat in the truck and that I can't fold the rest of the seat because of the way ford designed it. My bed started also bowing out in certain places just from me stepping in and out of the bed and I wont get into the transmission issues that have started.

Now for me, width and length are not that big of a deal, learned to drive on an F350 and took it everywhere in town and off-road, but if you do a lot of jeep trails, a full size truck will not cut it unless you armor it up and are willing to skip some obstacles.

 

[Stic-o]

I think it really depends on how your using your truck. Is it just mileage, towing, cargo space, people space, city vs burbs vs country? Lots of factors to consider.

I actually started off in a Ranger years ago. Then went to a F-150, and then a F-250. Then needing more towing capacity, then even more cargo and then capacity. Had a daily and the F250, then needed to scale back and go for everything all in one and just needed decent towing. The Ranger checked all those boxes. Life changes your needs sometimes. You just have to roll with it.

I have considered the Powerboost trucks, and it could make a lot of sense. But not really with current interest rates ?

 

[ppfd]

I've had 4 F 150s in my life. Are they big? Yes bigger than a ranger. People act like they are the size a of a Kenworth.
I rarely off road and am planning my next vehicle for maybe 2025. I am thinking an f 150 again myself. Ecoboost or 5.0

 

[Chris M]

The house we bought this year has a wee bit bigger garage than normal for our part of the world. If something catastrophic were to happen to the Ranger, I would attempt to find a nicely kept used F150.

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