And since you mentioned it, a Ranger XL review is in the pipeline.

That’s why I’m still hanging onto the my Ranger. Yes, I have a desk job during the week but the Ranger is a pretty good commuter and I really do use its truck abilities every weekend.

Now if the F-150 offered a diesel for not too much more money…

Or does anyone have any real skinny on the next Ranger – or Ranger replacement? I had heard rumors about a slightly larger truck to fill that spot in Ford’s lineup – possibly called the F-100.

Those are the hard working Americans who deserve respect and there are millions of them out there.

Not to pick on you, but I want to point out another problem with your post.

Working people DO MAKE ENOUGH to buy 40k trucks. No, not when they are just starting out, but later in their careers as tradesmen, farmers, ranchers, or skilled laborers lot’s of folks move up the ladder. Those people often still want trucks.

I know and have met folks that started without college, worked hard, stayed out of trouble, and applied a little ambition. Many of them millionaires.

Don’t fall into the trap that workers never get anywhere, it’s a HUGE lie.

The Ridgeline is a neat vehicle, but not a truck. Ever seen one towing? The rear wheels take a huge negative camber and the rear end squats under the load. The 8.5 cu ft under-bed storage is a great idea, but inaccessible when the bed is being used!?

To say that the Honda makes more sense is senseless, my opinion, because it does nothing particularly well, AND gets full-size truck fuel economy. Honda sold fewer Ridgelines last year than ANY full size truck, of any brand. Ford sold several hundred thousand more F-series trucks than Honda sold Ridgelines.

If someone wants a truck only for their suburban requirements (Home Depot and dumping grass clippings) maybe they should buy a fifteen year old full-size truck for a couple grand and buy a nice 30+ mpg mid-size sedan for the daily grind.

And I’d counter that there’s no such thing as a “truck for the real world.”

Not that I’m hatin’ on the Ridgeline, I just don’t care for its “truck” marketing designation, its insane asking price, lack of towing, and all around car like attributes…much like the El Caminos of yesteryear.

IronEagle: I saw the Ram Box at the NAIAS, it should be a better option for retail buyers. But for the world of fleets buyers and entrepreneurs, the MidBox is way more practical. (and I think it looks better)

For instance with an extra $3500 at my Dodge dealer in ‘06 you were able to upgrade the standard quadcab 1500 Ram to the MegaCab 1500 Ram that is really a HD 2500 with softer springs. They threw in the Heavy Duty fully hydroformed frame, 11.5 inch Dana rear, 14 inch 4 wheel discs with standard ABS and auto f/r bias control, *($900 option IIRC on regular 1500), and all that MegaCab room with reclining rear seat my girlfriends love. ;)

Plus you got the best Hemi that year that didn’t use the transparent 4 cylinder shut off. I could only imagine that getting stuck in 4 cylinder mode while towing the 20 foot car carrier and the racecar.

My point is that it seems that is too much money for the side doors on the bed and shelves. Hell buy me dinner at the Golden Corral and i’ll make you a Midbox. I’ll bring my Dremel.

Speaking of Dodge their new Ram beer cooler bed is very nice also.

I will however say I’d rather have this for the above mentioned trades. But not for real world ownership.

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storminvormin : Was it stark and rubbery? If so, I love it.

Its just like every XL trim Ford truck from the past 25+ years: you’ll love it.
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N85523 : I think this is sort of a one-trick-pony innovation and I’d be surprised if it catches on. That said, I don’t think it is a bad idea and I bet the quality is great. No doubt it looks terrific.

It is terrific, but the appeal is obviously limited to people who need a nice, safe place to lock tools and whatnot. Pool cleaning companies, certain government industries…many different businesses can use it. Most TTAC readers have no need for the MidBox, but its value is there and adds to the already impressive portfolio of configurations for the F150.
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W3woody: The one nice thing about my F-150 midbox is that it can hold a 4′ by 8′ sheet of plywood flat in the back bed with the tailgate down.

Nice to hear, I kinda wondered if that would fit back there. So why did you pick a MidBox anyway? Inquiring minds wanna know!
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86er : I agree. I’ve never felt the need to justify my purchases, and anyone that tries to make me think otherwise gets an earful.

Especially if they judge you by the one time they see you on the road. But its fun to silently judge people on their choice of vehicle, as long as one keeps it to oneself.
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quasimondo : Is that midbox option on both sides of the bed?

Two doors for both sides of the bed. You can have it empty, shelved on one side, or shelved on both. And you have two depths of drawers to choose from.
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blautens : Our local sheriff’s office training bureau is ordering these to replace their aging minivans. Enough decent lockable storage mixed with the ability to carry cones, targets, supplies, hose out the back, and still tow trailers easily – they loved their test one.

Bingo!!! That’s why I stood back, took stock, and quickly judged it worthy of five stars. I don’t need it, but I sure as hell get it.
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Dynamic88 : I’m not sure it’s much of an advantage over an extended cab, which also gives you lockable storage.

Think about it this way: the stuff carried in the MidBox won’t get lodged in the driver’s brain after an accident. If you have company tools, company truck, etc this is a safe way to ensure accountability (from theft) and safety (for the employee and from lawyers)

When you think about possible lawsuits and theft, $3500 isn’t that steep at all.

Oh, from what I gather, the $3500 cost comes from this not being a factory installed option. The factory spits out a long wheelbase/short bed F150 and a third party (dealer?) installs the Midbox. And yes, it only comes in white.

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carguy : No wonder both Ford and Dodge now offer storage that is actually reachable by persons less than 7″ tall. Why not just make the truck bed lower so its easer to load and unload?

No argument here: I’ll touch on that in a future review.

carguy : Sometimes it seems that these new 380hp monster trucks are mainly designed for guys trying to promote a more masculine image rather than real work.

Luckily most fleet guys don’t go nuts with the horsepower. I’m not a big fan of the Ford 4.6L in trucks, but it really didn’t disappoint me.
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Michael Karesh : I also thought the midbox was new with the 2009s. Apparently not.

Same here. When I saw it, I had to test it. This was supposed to be a 2009 addition, but they slipped it in early. But maybe the Tundra had something to do with it.
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KixStart : I’m a little surprised that I can’t recall seeing this feature on any TV ad.

It’s really not for the retail market, but I expect it will be widely available come mid-year 2009. The Super Duty will do well with it. (if it shows up there)

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Pahaska : I (we) spend lots of hours on the road and I want (and have) as nice appointments in my Silverado Duramax LTZ as I have in my Azera.

Funny you mention it, I want all that stuff with a work truck-spec rubber floor. That floor defines a truck…and its what makes a truck better than a car.

Course I also think Minivans should have rubber floors under the rear benches. :)
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davey49 : There’s also a Midbox for the GM Colorado/Canyon trucks. Check midbox.com for more info.

I was looking for more info on that Colorado MidBox. Its an option for their 2WT trim level, but I can’t build one to see how much cheaper it will be over an F150 MidBox. Google tells me it might be $5000 cheaper (great) but some look like $3000 or less. So I wonder if the Colorado MidBox is a lousy value over the F150.

Despite our attempts to apply our values to others, that pesky little thing called free choice gets in the way.

Others have approved of your ‘free choice’ point – and I agree also.

However, I’d be open to states adding / regulating the use of powerful & heavy vehicles via driver’s license restrictions & endorsements. There currently ARE limits on vehicle size – upscale soccer mom’s Freightliner platformed KingKong-Escalade does NOT currently exist.

At least until Fahrenheit 451 kicks in……

John

There’s also another company that makes a small fiberglass cube van style body for the Colorado.
Search for supreme corp Astro Body

I love working trucks! I could never understand why people like to drive pickups that are anything but work trucks.

Because, other than an occasional trip to Lowes or HD, just about all of the miles on my pickup are with the 29′ Airstream hooked on behind or locally in areas we are visiting.

I (we) spend lots of hours on the road and I want (and have) as nice appointments in my Silverado Duramax LTZ as I have in my Azera. Actually, a bit better in the truck with backup sensors, folding mirrors, XM radio, heated washer fluid, etc.

I asked him why he’s still drives his truck while the gas price is rising? he said…

“Because I’m a contractor and American who likes big stuff, Why should I buy a tinie winnie Jap cars if I can drive a bigger and tougher vehicle like my truck”.

He actually drive my Lancer once in awhile. Men!!!

So, where’s the ad budget support? Or did I successfully tune out all those truck commercials aired during Patriots’ games?

And $3500 seems high to me, too. Realistically, who’d pay that instead of just buying a cargo box insert? Or a cargo box cap? Or a real extended cab?

The redesigned 2009 Ford F-150 has steps that fold out from each side of the bed, and another in the tailgate. Ford explicitly says they felt this was a better solution than reducing the height and thus cargo capacity of the bed.

I also thought the midbox was new with the 2009s. Apparently not.

TrueDelta will have reliability info on the 2004 and 2005 F-150 in May. More participants always helpful.

http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php

Hope that’s sarcasm I hear! ;)

I work with a bunch of building contractors and non of them has one of these monster trucks. Most have older trucks like the S10 and Tacoma or commercial vans. Sometimes it seems that these new 380hp monster trucks are mainly designed for guys trying to promote a more masculine image rather than real work.

I’m confused about the length of the bed. Also I’m not sure it’s much of an advantage over an extended cab, which also gives you lockable storage.

Anyway, it’s new, and innovative.

I am mighty disappointed in the torque rating for the V8 engine. I believe the inline 6 in my ‘58 Chevy has over 200 lb-ft of torque at much lower rpm as well.

Thirded. But at least I can see over a 911, and I’ve never been rear-ended by a 911 that couldn’t stop quickly in the rain.

Quasimondo, I believe the Midbox does tunnel all the way through, with two doors.