Upgraded F-350 King Ranch to F-150 King Ranch PowerBoost - Twins? Not, But Hoping It’ll Handle the Heavy Tows

[PungoteagueDave]

We took delivery today of a custom-ordered 2021 King Ranch F-150 PowerBoost to replace our 2017 F-350 King Ranch diesel beast. This wasn’t as much a choice as a “requirement” of our HOA in Florida, where we bought a COVID-baby home last September, only to be notified a day after settlement that our truck violated neighborhood size rules. In fairness, it did have an 8’ bed and was therefore Ford’s longest and tallest stock pickup truck, but we argued that the distinction between half ton and 3/4-ton pickups is now pretty meaningless. They prevailed, threatening fines, so we stored the big pickup while waiting for the incoming truck.

We ordered an identical-spec King Ranch F-150, to the extent possible, a baby “twin” to the Superduty, on Feb 22. We received a May 3 blend date and May 7 build date, with an indicated June 6 delivery date. However, our dealer, Grieco ford in Delray Beach, called two days ago to say the truck was in! They had graciously let us park our old truck there since February, so we took delivery today, with the old and new trucks parked next to each other for comparison. While the cabs and beds are the same size between all F-series trucks, and there is a generation between our ‘17 and the ‘21, there’s no question the Superduty takes up only the added space in its 18” added wheelbase/bed length, and 2” of height - but it sure LOOKS more imposing. Inside, there is no difference in size.

The 2021 is improved in every way in terms of ergonomics, technology and interior fitment, and the ride and sound quality is light years ahead of the old diesel. I’m posting a bunch of pictures below showing the two trucks next to each other today at the dealership for comparison. The new truck went straight to a local outfitter for paint film and ceramic coating, window tint, airbags (I tow a car carrier, 8,000-pound boat, and several lighter trailers), dash/rear-cam, tailgate light blade, and a few other changes that I’ll post later.

This truck did surprise us a bit in terms of delivery time because we ticked virtually every option box. The “experts” on this forum suggested that some options create delays due to requiring offsite work - things like spray-in bedliner, wheel well liners, retractable bed cover, fully reclining seats, 7.2 kWh generator, etc. We had all the potential “baddies” and it sailed through. The lesson is to order the truck you want.

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[GolfR]

Way to stick it to your HOA! To a non truck person, those two are pretty much identical. I think you proved your point of the two trucks not being much different. I’m sure someone will say the F150 is much better for the neighborhood because it is quieter, perhaps you should upgrade the exhaust and turn on the backup beeper!

 

[discothan]

Stupid HOA. You should hang some more flower pots from the railings on your property.

 

[mnstang]

Congrats on the truck Dave, looks like a beauty!

 

[Anthraces]

Hey, is that the factory tonneau cover? I cancelled mine because the pics on ford’s website don’t show the track for the rails but this looks exactly like the Retrax pro-xr with a Ford label on it

 

[Kingtermite]

This is why I detest HOAs.

I've always heard that the main reason for them is to preserve property values, but when we moved last year I did not see any real evidence of houses in non-HOA neighborhoods being valued less.

Unfortunately, the place we found and loved was a brand new development and does technically have an HOA too. Though, from what I've seen so far, they aren't being fussy about much, so I hope that trend continues.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

Hey, is that the factory tonneau cover? I cancelled mine because the pics on ford’s website don’t show the track for the rails but this looks exactly like the Retrax pro-xr with a Ford label on it

Yes, that’s the Retrax Pro XR branded Ford OEM. I have had Retrax covers on six pickups, had the Pro XR on the outgoing F-350. I liked the idea of having it come installed under Ford warranty, with the logo. I’ve got low profile Yakima crossbars for shorter loads, and a Yakima Skyrise HD system with HD crossbars to put the 18-foot Hobie Tandem sailing Kayak up top. I also have a set of rooftop crossbars coming from Yakima with the new rooftop clips designed specifically for the 2021 F-150 (#197). That’ll give me four points of attachment. The Retrax bed toppers with the new track system are great. Pics are from the old F-350, haven’t put the crossbars or Skyrise system on the new truck yet.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

This is why I detest HOAs.

I've always heard that the main reason for them is to preserve property values, but when we moved last year I did not see any real evidence of houses in non-HOA neighborhoods being valued less.

Unfortunately, the place we found and loved was a brand new development and does technically have an HOA too. Though, from what I've seen so far, they aren't being fussy about much, so I hope that trend continues.

It is definitely a double edge sword to have an HOA. We also own a farm in Virginia with a mile-long driveway, and no rules at all. When COVID hit, we decided to stop renting in Key West for the winter and buy a place in South Florida. Having a second place that sits unoccupied for half the year, we wanted it to be in a gated community. We also wanted to be on the water, and were able to find a townhose on the ICW with two boatslips, one with a lift that can handle our World Cat fishing boat, and another with a floating dock that has two jet ski storage ramps, and room for several kayaks and SUPs. Given that it’s in a gated community, with an HOA, we can lock it and leave it, no worries. We do have cameras and Apple Home to run stuff remotely while away, and Amazon Key is amazing in Florida (they deliver inside the garage if you buy the required door controller), but having an HOA responsible for everything outside makes this lifestyle way easier, albeit communal in terms of rules. I do chafe at that, but it is the trade-off. And the new truck is great, so screw-em.

Having a remote property without an HOA comes with its own issues. Besides security cameras, people do not respect private property, even with signage, so we have constant Looky-Lous coming down the driveway and circling in front of the house and barn, sometimes damaging shrubs. It requires having extra insurance, and because it is an operating farm, staff, including a farm manager, caretaker, and workers. First world problems, but the reality is you cannot own anything - you only own responsibilities that must be maintained. At the farm I have to hire the landscapers, deal with getting the whole place power washed twice per year, painted every three years, satellite cable and internet installed, maintained and paid, insect/mosquito control hired and paid, trash removal service, etc., etc. All of that is handled by the HOA at the Florida place, no fuss.

 

[Kingtermite]

At the farm I have to hire the landscapers, deal with getting the whole place power washed twice per year, painted every three years, satellite cable and internet installed, maintained and paid, insect/mosquito control hired and paid, trash removal service, etc., etc. All of that is handled by the HOA at the Florida place, no fuss.

That's some big plusses...the two HOAs I've been in didn't handle that much. The previous one maintained a neighborhood park and once dealt with a street light that was knocked over. But 90% of their time was spent nagging people about a blade of grass showing or fining people who painted before getting color approved.

 

[Anthraces]

Yes, that’s the Retrax Pro XR branded Ford OEM. I have had Retrax covers on six pickups, had the Pro XR on the outgoing F-350. I liked the idea of having it come installed under Ford warranty, with the logo. I’ve got low profile Yakima crossbars for shorter loads, and a Yakima Skyrise HD system with HD crossbars to put the 18-foot Hobie Tandem sailing Kayak up top. I also have a set of rooftop crossbars coming from Yakima with the new rooftop clips designed specifically for the 2021 F-150 (#197). That’ll give me four points of attachment. The Retrax bed toppers with the new track system are great. Pics are from the old F-350, haven’t put the crossbars or Skyrise system on the new truck yet.

welp, I am placing that back on my order then. Looks great! I love the Star White with the accent color. We are moving to VA in two weeks….maybe our two near identical builds will cross paths

 

[bobstar]

We took delivery today of a custom-ordered 2021 King Ranch F-150 PowerBoost to replace our 2017 F-350 King Ranch diesel beast. This wasn’t as much a choice as a “requirement” of our HOA in Florida, where we bought a COVID-baby home last September, only to be notified a day after settlement that our truck violated neighborhood size rules. In fairness, it did have an 8’ bed and was therefore Ford’s longest and tallest stock pickup truck, but we argued that the distinction between half ton and 3/4-ton pickups is now pretty meaningless. They prevailed, threatening fines, so we stored the big pickup while waiting for the incoming truck.

We ordered an identical-spec King Ranch F-150, to the extent possible, a baby “twin” to the Superduty, on Feb 22. We received a May 3 blend date and May 7 build date, with an indicated June 6 delivery date. However, our dealer, Grieco ford in Delray Beach, called two days ago to say the truck was in! They had graciously let us park our old truck there since February, so we took delivery today, with the old and new trucks parked next to each other for comparison. While the cabs and beds are the same size between all F-series trucks, and there is a generation between our ‘17 and the ‘21, there’s no question the Superduty takes up only the added space in its 18” added wheelbase/bed length, and 2” of height - but it sure LOOKS more imposing. Inside, there is no difference in size.

The 2021 is improved in every way in terms of ergonomics, technology and interior fitment, and the ride and sound quality is light years ahead of the old diesel. I’m posting a bunch of pictures below showing the two trucks next to each other today at the dealership for comparison. The new truck went straight to a local outfitter for paint film and ceramic coating, window tint, airbags (I tow a car carrier, 8,000-pound boat, and several lighter trailers), dash/rear-cam, tailgate light blade, and a few other changes that I’ll post later.

This truck did surprise us a bit in terms of delivery time because we ticked virtually every option box. The “experts” on this forum suggested that some options create delays due to requiring offsite work - things like spray-in bedliner, wheel well liners, retractable bed cover, fully reclining seats, 7.2 kWh generator, etc. We had all the potential “baddies” and it sailed through. The lesson is to order the truck you want.

I think they shipped you my truck by mistake, Lol

 

[Ruelj4]

We took delivery today of a custom-ordered 2021 King Ranch F-150 PowerBoost to replace our 2017 F-350 King Ranch diesel beast. This wasn’t as much a choice as a “requirement” of our HOA in Florida, where we bought a COVID-baby home last September, only to be notified a day after settlement that our truck violated neighborhood size rules. In fairness, it did have an 8’ bed and was therefore Ford’s longest and tallest stock pickup truck, but we argued that the distinction between half ton and 3/4-ton pickups is now pretty meaningless. They prevailed, threatening fines, so we stored the big pickup while waiting for the incoming truck.

We ordered an identical-spec King Ranch F-150, to the extent possible, a baby “twin” to the Superduty, on Feb 22. We received a May 3 blend date and May 7 build date, with an indicated June 6 delivery date. However, our dealer, Grieco ford in Delray Beach, called two days ago to say the truck was in! They had graciously let us park our old truck there since February, so we took delivery today, with the old and new trucks parked next to each other for comparison. While the cabs and beds are the same size between all F-series trucks, and there is a generation between our ‘17 and the ‘21, there’s no question the Superduty takes up only the added space in its 18” added wheelbase/bed length, and 2” of height - but it sure LOOKS more imposing. Inside, there is no difference in size.

The 2021 is improved in every way in terms of ergonomics, technology and interior fitment, and the ride and sound quality is light years ahead of the old diesel. I’m posting a bunch of pictures below showing the two trucks next to each other today at the dealership for comparison. The new truck went straight to a local outfitter for paint film and ceramic coating, window tint, airbags (I tow a car carrier, 8,000-pound boat, and several lighter trailers), dash/rear-cam, tailgate light blade, and a few other changes that I’ll post later.

This truck did surprise us a bit in terms of delivery time because we ticked virtually every option box. The “experts” on this forum suggested that some options create delays due to requiring offsite work - things like spray-in bedliner, wheel well liners, retractable bed cover, fully reclining seats, 7.2 kWh generator, etc. We had all the potential “baddies” and it sailed through. The lesson is to order the truck you want.

Do you happen to have the part number for that cover? Tried to find it through good old fashioned google without any luck. Thanks!

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