Brand recognition is always a sign of success in the business world. There’s no better example of this than the reputation and legacy that’s been associated with Ford. The blue oval brand is not only instantly recognizable but also held in high regard by drivers and industry experts alike. In the competitive world of the pickup truck, Ford has continued to exceed typical expectations and develop a fleet that stands out among the rest.
When it comes to being in the market for a pickup truck, it’s only natural to look to the F-150 and Ranger as the best options. When it comes to saving on up-front costs and insurance premiums and still having a vehicle of exceptional quality, used Ford trucks for sale have long been some of the best choices on the marketplace. Depending on what you plan on utilizing a truck for, the F-150 or the Ranger might just be the single most significant purchase you make.
An Overview of Both Pickups
Both the F-150 and the Ranger are instantly recognizable and adept at all sorts of activities, but what are the main differences that distinguish them? The Ford F-150, which first came to prominence in the 1970s, is a full-size pickup truck that comes with a variety of engines and is capable of handling towing, hauling, and off-roading and has been utilized by many for a variety of different uses. One of the most notable attributes of the vehicle is the “Coyote,” a 5.0L V8 that provides exceptional horsepower and towing capabilities.
The Ranger got its start in the 1980s as a means to compete with the smaller pickups that were being exported to the United States by brands such as Toyota and Mazda. Despite being smaller than the F-150, the Ranger has proven to be capable of accomplishing a host of activities while utilizing smaller powertrains. In the beginning, it was a V6 that was most common, while the Rangers of recent years have proven that even the toughest jobs can be handled with only four cylinders.
Employing a Workhorse
Because of their versatility and prowess, many pickup trucks have been utilized on job sites all across America since the formative years of the automotive industry. This has been consistent, and equipping the F-150 or Ranger on the job site as a reliable workhorse can lessen your workload and make the most arduous tasks seem minimal. Choosing between each vehicle can depend on how much you have to carry or tow on a regular basis.
These ratings tend to vary from year to year, so we’ll be providing ballpark estimates so you can gauge which one works best. On average, the Ford Ranger can tow 7,500 lbs and carry a payload of approximately 1,800 lbs. This makes the vehicle exceptionally good at light-duty work and average trailering. The F-150, on the other hand, has an average towing capacity of 13,000 lbs when properly equipped, making it great for larger trailering and bigger workloads, and the vehicle can also be outfitted for a snowplow. Depending on your workload, either truck can lend essential assistance.
The Daily Commute
Whether you have occupational obligations with a truck or not, there’s a very good chance that you need a vehicle to handle the daily ritual of traveling from point A to point B and, on the weekends, point C. How do the F-150 and Ranger handle as a daily driver? Let’s find out. There are a few things that you should consider, most notably, the area in which you live and how often you drive. If the area you live in is more urban in its surroundings and susceptible to stop-and-go traffic patterns, the Ranger might be a more economical and practical choice. The Ranger is smaller and easier to maneuver and tends to get decent fuel economy thanks to its smaller engine.
If you live in a more suburban or rural area, particularly one that deals with heavy snowfall during the winter months, an F-150 is a much more reliable choice. The F-150 has a higher ground clearance, and its optional 4WD with six and eight-cylinder engines means that dealing with what nature throws at you is much easier. It’s a matter of preference in deciding what you buy, but you should consider these items when choosing between the two vehicles.
Upkeep and Maintenance
With the purchase of any vehicle, whether it’s new or used, comes various recurring costs that are unavoidable. Aside from putting fuel in your tank and paying the monthly insurance premium, having routine service performed at regular intervals is essential in keeping your purchase on the road and running for thousands of miles. The frequency of repairs and reliability varies depending on the vehicle you drive, so we’ll take a few moments to examine the costs that are related to the F-150 and the Ranger.
As with all items that pertain to the purchase of a used vehicle, many items are non-linear, so the information we’ll be giving you is a ballpark figure based on averages. The F-150 is considered by many to be an above-average vehicle when it comes to annual repair costs, as it rests under the threshold of $800. This is much better than average for other full-sized pickups in its class, which exceeds $900. It’s also been reported that unexpected repairs are largely uncommon, so as long as the typical repair schedule is maintained, there’s no reason why an F-150 won’t last well beyond the point of 100,000 miles.
Like its full-sized sibling, the Ford Ranger has a well-deserved reputation for being relatively low to maintain. On average, you can expect to pay slightly over $600 a year for repairs, which is certainly affordable. Like the F-150, the chances for large or unexpected repairs are relatively low at 12%. This data reinforces our previous theory that the Ranger is more suited for the everyday commute and light-duty work, while the F-150 is still an affordable means of accomplishing the larger tasks at hand that you might have in front of you.
Visit Us Today and Get a Great Deal on a Used Ford Truck
No matter what you’re looking for in a used pickup truck and what your preference might be regarding such items as performance, towing, fuel economy, or cost, the F-150 and Ranger are two of the best offerings produced by Ford. With its midsize and maneuverable stature, the Ranger is ideal for the urbanite or suburban dweller who wants that extra bit of performance for light duty or a brief off-roading excursion.
The F-150, with its host of powertrains and remarkable towing capacity, is ideal for work and play and can combat any hostile weather condition that you might find yourself in. No matter which one you buy, you can rest assured that you’re getting an upgrade in quality. Here at Future Ford of Sacramento, quality is something that happens to be our specialty. With a vast selection, knowledgeable staff, and everything else you could ever hope for in a dealership, the perfect time to buy a used Ford truck is now.
