Experienced by Kimatni D Rawlins
Wow, the all-new 2017 Ford F-250 King Ranch is not playing games. It’s massive, beastly, powerful, intelligent, and ridiculously durable. “Built Ford Tough” is not just a company tagline, it’s an official battle cry for the Detroit native. The immense Super Duty arrived with a Shadow Black exterior, luxurious Java Leather interior, and was loaded to the core with both mechanical accouterments and ergonomic amenities.
When the King Ranch entered the Automotive Rhythms driveway for the week you would have thought we were heading to a construction site to finish that 20-unit condo build out. Not quite, but its timing was impeccable since I had to help my in-laws move their antique Japanese furniture to a consignment store. The Super Duty was also useful for winter yard work completion and round trips to the county landfill to dispose of various waste items. Lastly, I was able to hit some single tracks with my Ghost Kato 7 mountain bike utilizing both the hitch and Thule rack as well as loading it in the bed with the help of Lift Assist and the Tailgate Step.
But let’s get down to business. The Ford F-250 4×4 Crew Cab King Ranch is like an automotive version of The Rock. It’s powered by a mighty 6.7-liter Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8 (TorqShift 6-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift) that rumbles like a school bus when ignited. The optional $8,595 Turbo Diesel V8 received a larger turbocharger, new fuel injectors, a new pump, and accepts B20 biodiesel. This power plant generates 440-horsepower and a whopping 925 lb.-ft. of torque (a 6.2-liter V8 producing 385-horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque reps as the 250’s base engine)! With a cadre of strategic advantages over all the other little trucks I passed by I felt invincible and unstoppable in the King Ranch. Beefy Michelin 275/65R20 LTX A/T tires merge with the 20” machine cast aluminum wheels ($1,240) along with the 3.55 Electronic locking Axle ($390) for go-anywhere traction. I was especially fond of the “work mentality” and sportier wheel fitment on our King Ranch Ultimate package ($2,960). More importantly, if you are used to driving pickups you will appreciate the F-250’s outstanding acceleration and fluid shift points. The vehicle doesn’t feel rough and raw as a truck of this magnitude should.
To reduce weight while increasing strength Ford enhanced the Super Duty’s body and box with high-strength, aluminum-alloy and a high-strength steel frame that is 24 times stiffer than the prior generation. Data includes payload of up to 7,630 and towing of 18,000 pounds with the Trailer Tow Package. The up-gauged aluminum bed came with a $495 “Tough Bed Spray-in Bedliner” outfitted with a cadre of tie downs. Of course it takes away the angst of scratches when loading and unloading. It’s also very simple to clean. Moreover, the bedliner’s deeper, vertical grooves keep various items in position such as when I needed to quickly toss the bike in the back and stand it upright. The grooves worked like a bike stand in this instance. For towing the F-250 can be outfitted with the Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera package, Trailer TPMS, 5th Wheel Hitch Prep Package, Trailer Control, Tow Technology Bundle, and much more.
Step atop the wide, stationary running boards and up inside the Crew Cab to become amazed. My team of four were highly impressed and enjoyed the five hours of driving in style to the move site and back (twice). The F-250 actually feels like you’re inside something more luxurious like a Lincoln Navigator opposed to a pickup. Without a full crew the second row bench can be flipped up to store larger objects on the load flat floor. The ride experience came full circle from the constellation of sumptuous leather, Power-Twin Panel Moonroof, Adaptive Steering, power sliding rear window, power driver and passenger front seats (heated/cooled), ambient lighting, dual-zone electronic auto climate control, heated rear seat ($300), and a 110V/400W outlet. Large knobs on SYNC3 and dual USB inputs were a hit while Sirius Satellite kept us entertained. The 8” touchscreen houses music features, voice-activated navigation, and the Reverse Sensing and Rearview Camera. The thick, multi-function steering wheel is styled with thumbprints for a controlled grip and lets you operate various SYNC functions. And when you need a foot breather from extended drives simply let Adaptive Cruise Control ($740) take over. A dual glove compartment and six overhead console-mounted auxiliary switches provide even more flexibility.
With an MSRP of $54,260 our vehicle totaled $73,170 and included an allotment of upgrades fit for ranch kings. Whether you work in construction, farming or simply need to replace your refrigerator, there is always a need for a pickup truck. Of course an F-150 will suffice in the majority of cases but there is nothing like that boss feeling of an F-250 4×4 Crew Cab King Ranch when you roll up to Home Depot or Lowes.
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