**The 50-Year Transformation of the Ford F-150**

The pickup truck has undergone a significant transformation over the past five decades, evolving from a utilitarian farm tool to a domesticated family wagon. One vehicle that encapsulates this transition is the King Ranch edition F-150.

**A Luxury Truck with Cow Sense**

The King Ranch was outfitted with saddle-grade Castano leather seats featuring heaters, saddle bags to hold essentials, and a six CD changer. This truck was a Cadillac for the ranch, a Range Rover for the range. The King Ranch was named after one of the largest and oldest ranches in Texas, paying tribute to the hardworking heritage of the Lone Star state.

**A Flash in the Pan?**

Contrary to expectations, the luxury-focused F-150 has been a success story, with Ford continuing to produce the King Ranch edition for 17 years. Despite the economic crisis of 2008, which affected the automotive industry, the F-150 remained popular.

**The Ecoboost Revolution**

To meet changing consumer needs, Ford developed the twin-turbo V6-powered Ecoboost F-150, making 365 horsepower and 420 pounds of torque. This fuel-efficient truck reflected Ford's focus on creating more efficient vehicles.

**Off-Road Capabilities with the Raptor**

In 2010, Ford introduced the Special Vehicle Team (SVT) developed F-150 Raptor, originally designed to succeed the Lightning. The Raptor was a real off-road racer, featuring custom suspension, redesigned bodywork, and aggressive graphics. The new Raptor is powered by a turbocharged V6 engine making 450 horsepower and 500 pounds of torque.

**An American Icon**

The F-150 has transcended its original purpose to become an integral part of the American way of life. With various trim levels and capabilities, there's an F-150 for every lifestyle. Whether it's a bare-bones two-door truck or a four-door model with luxury features, the F-150 embodies the American spirit.

**Up to Speed**

This episode is brought to you by Dollar Shave Club. For a limited time, new members can receive their S***, shower, and shave starter set for only $5, including free shipping. The set includes executive razor cartridges that cost just a couple of dollars a month for replacements.

WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enThe Ford F150.It’s the best selling Vehicle in the USof all time.I didn’t say best selling car, I didn’tsay best selling truck.I said best selling vehicle.On average Ford sells two trucks every minute.Americans love the F150, but how did thathappen?Why is America’s most popular car..a TRUCK?Well you’re about to find out partner.This is everything you need to know to get Up to Speed on the Ford F150.Ford’s been building trucks for a Long. Ass. Time.Their first truck debuted in 1917, when Fordoffered a cargo-focused version of the Model T.Ever heard of it? They called this the Model TT.It was basically a Model T with a bed.In 1926 Ford updated the design with theirnew Model AA; it had a sturdier frame, andit’s wheels were made from steel, not woodenspokes like the Model T. Despite the factthat the automobile was a relatively new invention,Americans warmly embraced the new-found utilityof the Pickup Truck.Farmers used the Model TT and AA to haul theirharvest into town, Business owners could easilytransport their merchandise, and emergencyservices could now react in a fraction of the time.The truck legitimately changed the lives ofmillions of Americans, and Ford was largely responsible.Ford continued to build their trucks untilthe second World War, when they focused allproduction on the war effort by building tanks and bombers and sh*t like that.The F-series trucks as we know them beganin 1948 after the end of the war.Ford introduced the “Bonus Built” linewhich encompassed the entire F-series; fromthe half ton “F-1” pickup truck to thegigantic F-8 intended for industrial use.The F-1 was especially successful in the Post-Warmarket.Americans were ready to build a new life,and what better to do that with than a pickup truck?The F1 was super easy to work on, so in the unlikely event of breaking down in the pasture,you could usually fix the problem with common tools.The Second Gen F-series dropped in 1953, andalong with some new engines and updated looks,the Trucks were slowly starting to reflectAmerica’s changing attitudes towards the pickup.Trucks were becoming less of an appliance,and more of an extension of their driver’s spirit.Ford gave the new trucks creature comfortslike a radio, dome light and arm rests. For your arms...These might seem like small additions butthey were important, because these simplefeatures made the truck easier to live withon a day to day basis.Ford also changed the name from F-1 to F-100.In 1959 Ford gave the F-100 a feature thatwould help define the Pickup truck as we know it:Four Wheel Drive.Previously if you wanted Four Wheel Drive,you had to buy an aftermarket conversion kit.But now you could four wheel it right offthe lot, literally.You didn’t need roads, you just drive oversome curbs and through fields all the way home.This versatility helped make the pickup asymbol of freedom for the American people.In 1965 the F-100 introduced a new style ofsuspension that gave each front wheel it’sown axle, called Twin I-Beam.The Twin I-Beam design let each wheel reactto bumps independently.Ford was really proud of their design andshowed it off in crazy commercialsfeaturing how much smoother the ride was with thenew suspension.Ford was killing the competition with theF-100.The cabs were 3 inches roomier, the chassiswas heavier, and it was easier to drive withpower steering and brakes.The Ford pickup was the standard to what othertrucks were measured.Kinda like how Jessica is THE standard of how all other women in my life are judged.Miss you.But Ford didn’t rest on their laurels just like I'm not resting on mine, that’s not what Americans do!In 1973 Ford gave us the Supercab.Up until this point the F-100 had a singlebench for three people.But now, there were some seats in the back.Not only could you use the bed for haulinghay, gravel or lumber, you could also usethe cab to haul your family to the market,to the movie theater, to the waterpark.This marked an important point where the Pickupcould be a family car...Sort of.In 1975 Ford introduced the F-150 and America’struck as we know it had finally arrived.So why add another truck?Basically, the EPA said that any car that weighs a certain amount have to havecatalytic converter and unleaded gas.It's boring.The F150 had a stronger chassis than the F100and could carry more weight in the bed thanksto more leaf springs.After 32 years of service, the F100 was discontinuedin 1980.In the 80s, Ford made the F150 even more comfortableand efficient in a bid to attract more buyerswho would use the truck as a family car.The F150 now had power windows, power locks,fuelinjection, and a sleeker interior.But making the truck more comfortable didn’tmake it any less capable.Kinda like how I can seat in a recliner but still do advanced calculus.Ford showed off the F150’s brawn with crazyads dropping the truck from cranes and climbingup giant rock piles...with a Chevy chillin’in the bed and towing a dodge behind it.It's like...F*** you.In 1993, on the 45th anniversary of the F-Series,Ford gave America what it didn’t even know it wanted:an F150 made for the racetrack.Ford called it the Lightning, and it featuredmodified suspension, and a 5.8 liter engine,and your choice of Red or Black paint.The Lightning wasn’t just an appearancepackage good for straight line speed, it wasfaster around the track than the Mustang GTAND it could tow up to 8400 pounds.You didn’t need to tow your race car, becauseyour truck WAS your race car.The first Lightning was made for three yearsuntil 1996 when Ford gave the F150 a total redesign.The Lightning returned in ‘99, and...pretty badass.The new model had a supercharged V8 making360 horsepower and 440 foot pounds of torque.With all that power and no weight over therear wheels it was a burnout machine.The next year SVT gave it 20 more horses,making it the fastest production truck in the world.The Lightning weighed 4600 pounds and coulddo 0-60 in 6.2 seconds.That's pretty fast for 2000.2001 marked the first time the F150 was offeredwith 4 full size doors.Not a big deal right?WRONG.This is when the pickup truck completed it’s50 year transformation from Utilitarian farm tool,to domesticated family wagon.And no other truck encapsulated this transitionmore than the King Ranch edition F150.The King Ranch was outfitted with saddle-gradeCastano leather seats WITH HEATERS,saddle bags to hold your stuff and a six CD changer.What's a CD? On of 'em shiny records?This truck was a Cadillac with Cow Sense,a Range Rover for the Ranch.This was a truck for work AND going out on the town.The King Ranch was named after the King Ranch,one of the biggest and oldest ranches in thegreat state of Texas; and was meant as a tributeto the hardworking heritage of the Lone Star state.You might expect a truck with a focus on luxuryto be a flash in the pan, but you’d be wrong there buddy.It’s been 17 years since the debut of theKing Ranch and Ford is still making them.And they're selling like frickin' hot cakesLike the Gas Crisis before it, the EconomicCrisis of 2008 f**** everything up.But, it failed to kill the F150.Ford was doing pretty well at the time anddidn’t take a bailout from Uncle Sam, butthey did ask for a 6 billion dollar loan toretool their factories.Why’d they want the loan?So they could make more fuel efficient carsand truck like the Ecoboost F150.This twin turbo V6 powered truck made 365horsepower and 420 pounds of torque.The Ecoboost the F150 could be both a capablehauler and economically minded vehicle, andreflected Ford’s focus (no pun intended) on making more efficient cars.In 2010 Ford gave us another Special F150,and this one WAS meant to get dirty.It had nearly a foot of suspension travel,and was developed by Ford’s Special VehicleTeam in Baja Baby. Mexico!They also named it after my favorite animal.The Raptor!Undisputed king of factory off-road racers. The Raptor was originally going to bea successor to the Lightning, but It turnsout making a big truck like the F150 supernimble is actually really hard.So instead they decided to “amplify theTruck’s DNA”.♫Dino DNA♫Their words, not mine.and make the Raptor a real off road racer.They sent engineers out to off road raceslike the Baja 1000 to see what that lifestylewas all about.And when they came back, they knew what theyneeded: Custom suspension, redesigned bodyworkand most importantly: sweet graphics.When the Raptor first debuted it was availablewith some naturally aspirated V8s, but thenew one is powered by the turbocharged V6 that makes even more power; 450 horses and 500 pounds of torque.These SVT guys don’t know when to quit,do they?Well neither do I.America is made up of people from every backgroundand lifestyle and there’s an F150 for all of them.You can still get a bare bones two door truckfor the worksite just like your granpa, oryou could get one with four doors and takeyour family to the fireworks on 4th of July.The F150 is one of the unique autos that transcendedits original purpose to fulfill a destinyintertwined with the American way of life.Do you NEED all that space in the bed?Debatable.Do you NEED to tow anything?I mean, not right now,.Will you ever go off road?Who Knows.But having a pickup like the F150 gives youthe freedom to do all of those whenever you want.It’s the automotive embodiment of the Americanspirit, a true symbol for the individual,and In my opinion, the ultimate carof the people.Suck it Beetle.This episode of Up to Speed is brought to you by:Dollar Shave Club.For a limited time, Dollar Shave Club is basically giving away their S***, shower and shave starter setto new members for only 5 dollars and for 0 dollars for shipping.S***, shower, shave starter set.That's 5 S's, that's how you know it's good!This starter set comes in a beautiful faux wooden box and contains...Their shave butter. 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Is Jessica.What’s your take on Truck Nuts?I think they're cool. I think they’re weird but I get it.Still trying to get that Lambo. Send me a dollar.As always don't forget to Like, Comment, Subscribe, Share. Thanks for watching Up to Speed.