Buying a work truck is not the same as just going into a dealership and driving out with a heavy-duty pickup truck. While most pickup trucks come fully built and ready to go, commercial work trucks are another story. These chassis cabs come with the ability to upfit them your way. This means that you choose the cab and engine, while the payload bed is designed to fit your needs. In addition, these models have different gross combination weight ratios that will determine how much they can carry in cargo and equipment. When it comes to these work trucks, the name to remember is Ford.
Built on the powerful lineup of Super Duty heavy-duty pickup trucks, Ford’s work trucks deliver an unrivaled combination of strength, ruggedness, and capability. These are the trucks you need to make sure the job gets done right for your business. The three most popular models are the F-550, F-600, and F-650. Each larger number corresponds with a heavier truck that increases its capabilities. The one you choose will be dictated by your particular business needs. At Future Ford of Sacramento, our team is dedicated to helping you find the work trucks for sale that will deliver what you need. We are experienced in providing the service, advice, and Super Duty trucks that will help you make doing your job easier than ever.
The Ford F-550
The 2024 Ford F-550 chassis cab has a gross combination weight rating of 43,000 pounds, so you know you are getting a truly heavy-duty Super Duty truck. Ford offers the F-550 with three different trim levels and three cab styles. Each trim level adds a little more features. The entry-level is the XL, but don’t think of it as a base model. This truck has such advanced technology as the SYNC 4 infotainment system that will let you and your crew stay connected while on the job, connecting their phones with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so they can safely make hands-free calls and texts. The F-550 XL also has Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, which will alert them to a potential front-end collision so they can take evasive action while the system engages the emergency brakes to avoid a crash. Finally, the F-550 XL features the Ford Pro Vehicle Integration System 2.0, which provides a hardware interface on the SYNC 4 touchscreen so you and your crew can operate things like light boxes, salt spreaders, and other devices with the touch of a button from the comfort and safety of your truck’s cab.
The other two trims on the F-550 are the XLT and Lariat, each of which adds more features to your truck. The XLT trim replaces the vinyl seats on the XL with ones that have a cloth fabric seat covering, as well as other comfort and convenience features. The Lariat provides leather seating surfaces inside the cab, as well as a 2kW Pro Power Onboard to the rear chassis, so you can power tools using your truck as a power supply.
Ford offers each F-550 with a choice of three cab styles. The Regular Cab gives you one row of seats while boosting the towing and hauling capability. The SuperCab and Crew Cab feature two rows of seats, with the Crew Cab giving you more legroom. You can choose between a 4X4 and 4X2 drivetrain, as well as two engine options. The standard engine is a 7.3-liter PFI V8 that has two valves per cylinder and delivers 335 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque. This gives you a maximum towing capacity of 22,400 pounds and can haul up to 12,330 pounds of cargo. The available 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel delivers 330 horsepower and increases output to 950 lb-ft of torque. It also increases the maximum trailering capability to 34,500 pounds. Each engine comes paired with the Ford TorqShift 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Ford F-600
The 2024 Ford F-600 is slightly larger than the F-500, with a gross combination weight rating of 43,500 pounds. The F-600 chassis cab also comes with fewer options. Ford only offers the F-600 with a Regular Cab, so it is best used by businesses that send out two person crews.
There are two trim levels on the F-600. The XL comes with many of the same standard features as the F-550 XL, like the Ford Pro Vehicle Integration System 2.0, SYNC 4 infotainment system, and Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking. The XLT trim gives you more comfort and convenience features.
The key difference between the F-600 and F-550 is increased capability. The F-600 features a choice of a 4X2 drivetrain for added towing and hauling capability and a 4X4 for better traction. You also get to choose between a standard 7.3-liter PFI V8 gas engine and an available 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel, each paired with the TorqShift 10-speed automatic transmission. The engine outputs are the same as on the F-550. However, the F-600 with the 7.3-liter gas engine can tow up to 23,700 pounds, while choosing the available Turbo-Diesel increases your towing capacity to 34,900 pounds. You also can haul up to 15,210 pounds of cargo in an F-600, more than the 12,330 maximum payload capacity on an F-550.
The Ford F-650
Significantly larger than the F-550 and F-600 is the 2024 Ford F-650. This has a maximum gross vehicle weight of 37,000 pounds when equipped with the 7.3-liter V8 gas engine and 50,000 pounds with the available 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel. This model has a straight frame design and comes with a standard Regular Cab. This gives you seating for up to two passengers, with an available option of a fold-down 40/20/40 front bench that will give you space for three passengers. The seats are vinyl, with cloth seat fabric available as an option. If you need more room, you can opt for the available SuperCab and Crew Cab, which will give you seating for up to six passengers.
One of the interesting things about the F-650 is that the gas engine has a TorqShift HD 6-speed automatic transmission for the 7.3-liter V8 gas engine, instead of the 10-speed featured on other work truck models. The Turbo Diesel on the F-650 has the 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford offers a CNG/Propane Gaseous Engine Prep Package on the F-650, allowing you to convert to cleaner compressed natural gas or propane autogas. This will reduce your truck’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Choosing an Upfit
Ford understands that your business may involve special needs. This is why it offers upfits on its lineup of chassis cab models. This lets you choose different payload packages, cargo boxes, and other truck options for the chassis. For example, if you are planning to use your work truck for making deliveries, you can get a cargo box upfit to maximize interior cargo space. For people working in trades like plumbers, carpenters, and electricians, Ford offers specialized upfits that have the compartments and space you need for things like tools, lumber, wiring, pipes, and concrete.
The standard Power Take-off Provision on your F-550, F-600, or F-650 truck will allow you to operate things like pumps, lifts, and compressors from the rear upfit. This involves having an output gear connected to the truck’s crankshaft that will deliver power while the engine is running. This will then provide the power for the device you need to get the job done. If you opt for a work truck with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke Turbo Diesel, you will get a split-shaft capability. This works in the same way as the Power Take-off Provision but can be used to operate multiple accessories at the same time.
Get the Job Done Right With a Ford Super Duty Work Truck
The lineup of Ford work trucks gives you the ability to configure one for the tasks you need to perform. Each comes with a number of options, including the choice of engine and drivetrain. Some even give you multiple cab styles and trim levels so you can adjust the model to get the features you require. When you want to get the job done right, you need a Ford Super Duty F-550, F-600, or F-650.
