If you’re looking for a workhorse of a truck with lots of grit, capability, and longevity, then you need a truck with the experience to back itself up. Firmly rooted as one of America’s automotive pioneers, Ford Motor Company has the experience to back itself up, and they have the trucks to keep drivers coming back. Because of the years behind the brand, you don’t need to buy a brand new vehicle to be driving well with Ford; a brief stroll through a used Ford dealership will have you seeing automotive excellence throughout the years gone by. So, if you’re trying to buy a top-notch truck while saving some dough, we’re going to take a look at the Ford truck lineup in the pre-owned department.
2019 F-150
This may be the most iconic pickup truck of this generation, and for a good reason! This truck exceeds on all fronts. Receiving significant engineering upgrades, the 2019 Ford F-150 can reach up to 450 horsepower and 510 pounds-feet of torque; this truck isn’t slacking off in the performance sector. In fact, that’s more than any other leading pickup truck. Performance specs like that make the trucking experience significantly more enjoyable. Whether you are working and need the extra strength to get the job done, or if you are playing hard and want a little more kick to your drive, you will enjoy having the opportunity for such high-performance specs. We think you will especially enjoy them if you plan to take the vehicle off-roading, but there is a lot more to be said about off-roading, and we’ll get there in just a moment.
Because of its large and strong architecture, a used Ford F-150 provides a terrific amount of space for both passengers and cargo. While the regular cab seats three passengers and optimizes pickup bed length, the SuperCrew cab seats up to six passengers. This cab breaks the pickup mold; while trucks are not typically known for generous seating, the SuperCrew cab has the potential to seat more passengers than most CUVs. But, of course, when you’re looking at a pickup, the dimensions with which one should be most concerned are those of the pickup bed itself. With a maximum cargo volume of 77.4 cubic feet and a maximum payload of 3,270 pounds, the 2019 F-150’s bed is set and ready to go, no matter what it may be carrying and how much of it there is. Take it a step further by hitching your trailer there; even if it weighs up to 11,400 pounds, you’ll be sailing. Thanks to a variety of advanced trailering technologies, towing will be easier than ever in your F-150.
In terms of technology, the F-150 is well-equipped with a variety of advanced safety features and innovative entertainment and connectivity technologies. Technology is a sector where it is easy for drivers to fall into the trap of thinking that to buy used means to get dated technology; however, 2019 was not long ago at all, and technology from within the past five years will still be very up-to-date. So, worry not, the F-150 has been excellent for a long time, meaning that whatever model year you end up purchasing will provide you with an excellent truck.
2019 Ford Ranger
The F-150 is an excellent truck, but not everybody needs something so big. Well, that is where the Ford Ranger pops in to provide a vehicle coming from the same brand with the same background experience but a little less girth in its architecture.
The Ranger made a big comeback to the Ford lineup in 2019. Though this is a mid-size pickup and may appear smaller than the F-150, do not be fooled: the Ranger is Built Ford Tough, and it will be proven by the vehicle’s abilities. The exterior appears firm and athletic, but it is even stronger than it looks, thanks to a high-strength steel frame. This is a huge asset to a pickup truck, as the driving you will be doing will naturally come with some bumps and obstacles along the way; you want a vehicle that is built to withstand the natural occurrences of work and play.
The 2019 Ranger is equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, allowing it to perform at 270 horsepower and 310 pounds-feet of torque. Do not be tempted to compare these numbers to the F-150: a full-size pickup and a mid-size pickup are not the same, and they are in completely different classes. The Ranger has excellent numbers for its class, and they can’t be compared to the F-150. This EcoBoost engine, which is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, will give you some thrills and help you get the job done when it’s time to work. A used Ford Ranger is a highly-capable and has excellent architecture and leading technology. What more could be said?
2020 Raptor
One of the most exciting and unique parts of purchasing a Ford is the dynamic selection of trim options. While some vehicles get funky and mathematical with trim names, the F-150 keeps it simple and fun with specific and creative names to make the trims more exciting. If excitement is what you are looking for, have a look at the F-150 Raptor. This trim takes the already-excellent F-150 and turns it into an off-road vehicle.
The F-150 Raptor does, of course, make some adjustments to the physical design of the vehicle to make it more equipped for the trails. But one area that is left unaffected is performance. Going with the Raptor does not diminish the impressive F-150 performance specs previously discussed but rather narrows them: for the 2020 F-150 Raptor, the only option is the Hi-Output 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. This means that your only option with a used Ford F-150 Raptor is to have the capacity to reach that 450 horsepower and 510 pounds-feet of torque. We guess you’ll just have to deal with having the best performance specs and an even more exciting build!
2018 Super Duty
The name says it all. This truck isn’t just heavy-duty: it’s Super Duty. Going a step (or three) up from the F-150, your Super Duty Options are the F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-650, and F-750. It just depends on how high you want to go! Once you get above the F-450, you’ll start to look at more industrial vehicles. So, we’ll stick with the F-450 and below, which keeps us in the world of pickups.
In 2018, the Super Duty was exceeding its siblings on all fronts. Able to reach up to 935 pounds-feet of torque, the Super Duty is a true workhorse. With a towing capacity of 14,000 lbs. and a maximum payload of 7,630 lbs., you may have a hard time even tapping into the Super Duty’s full potential. The F-150 will suit you well if you need to work, but if you’re looking to push your truck to its limits, a used Super Duty truck is the clear way to go.
The Experience Continues
Ford does indeed have years of experience behind every one of its trucks, as well as every one of its vehicles. But that experience was not a one-and-done event; rather, Ford continues to cultivate experience every year, and from that experience, it adapts and upgrades to better serve its drivers. This is why we see a new model year for every vehicle: the experience is never complete. It is an ongoing process, and every model year provides you with a truck that is completely unique. So, no matter what year you decide to purchase your used Ford truck, we know you’ll be pleased with what you find.
