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After driving Thunder for 10 years, I had it. I loved this 1998, ¾-ton truck for its stick shift and power, but I was wearing thin on the reliability factor. Always it charged or jumped and ran fine again – for two years, for eight months, for a week. I hopped online and called Terrence Monroe for the specs on a shiny, black, 2010 F-150 truck. He drove it to my house an hour later for a look-see.
I am not hasty with big purchases and had a neighbor I trust come to look, kick the tires, ask right the questions. I bought it, and while I like to think I’m not defined by brand names – I mean how exciting or impressive really are my Muck® boots and L.L. Bean® barn coat? But now I have something to brag about – this is no ordinary F-150, but the King Ranch version.
“Your Ford F-150 King Ranch has rare features not found in many trucks in 2010,” Monroe states. “Heated and cooled front seats with heated back seats, touch screen navigation with voice control, back-up camera. Of course, we can't forget the King Ranch emblazoned, horse saddle tan, leather seats.”
This has tons of tricked out amenities and their famous Running W branded into the leather. But, what sold me? The tailgate. I had just replaced a tailgate cable on the older truck which broke when I rolled an 800-lb round bale over it. Taking it off had become heavy, clumsy and annoying, so I tested it. This new tailgate does not need to be removed and the best part? It has a step, a handle, and I can stand on it. There are side steps, a bed extender, sunroof, CD player and more.
Terrence sold me a new Ford Edge in 2007, and he sold this King Ranch F-150 new in 2010. It revolved back through the Duncan dealership a couple times, and he considered buying it each time. As a Sales Selection Specialist closing in on 20 years with Duncan Ford, Terrence knows just about everything about car and truck specs and sales.
My truck is nearly immaculate, and it may have hauled more hay and grain and gotten more mud on the tires in the few months I’ve had it. I named it The Brodie for our last black Lab, and did I mention V-8 engine, running boards, keyless entry, auto driver’s seat movement, adjustable pedals and real 4-WD? The King Ranch Legacy
There are many ways to showcase a fortune, but few can rival and capture the rugged spirit of American liberty like a Texas ranch. The 825,000-acre King Ranch led many of the early cattle drives, developed specialized breeds of cattle, bred the finest Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds and established farming enterprises in cotton, grain, sugar cane and more. Everything under the Running W brand stands for innovation, uncompromising quality and authenticity. The Ford Brand
In 2000, King Ranch and Ford – both iconic American companies – joined forces to design an upscale ranch truck that melded performance and reliability with luxury and comfort. The ranch relies on a fleet of more than 250 Ford trucks in its daily operations, and the King Ranch series has expanded to include a Ford Expedition SUV model.
The F-150 pick-up truck has been the most popular, best-selling truck for almost 50 years. A Model T with the pick-up bed was launched in 1925. A major redesign in 1957 included a more wide, more squared styling, and two years later, 4-wheel drive was available. “Drives like a car, works like a truck” was one sales slogan.
In 1965, Ford offered the first 4-door crew cab by special order, and the following year, carpeting, power brakes, power steering and air conditioning were included. One decade later, F-150 upstaged the F-100, though the latter was sold until 1983. With the 10th generation F-150 in the late 1990s, the company’s redesign was intended to appeal to the more casual driver, leaving its F-250 and F-350 trucks for the commercial market. The number of drivers enjoying the pick-up, especially the dual cab variety, as a primary vehicle and daily drive steadily increased.
For those who embrace a western flair in boots, wide-brim hats, fringe and fine leather (on your saddle or in your truck or both), the King Ranch F-150 can be your new wheels. The 2025 models come with all the impressive stuff, plus a safe, first aid kit, more hooks, sensors, buttons and a dual-tone horn.
But it’s the tailgate again that gets my attention. These new models have not only a remote tailgate release, but also the tailgate can swing open from one side so you can get 19 inches closer to unload bags of grain or pellets. However, the latest and greatest may not have the tailgate step and handle that has dramatically improved my truck life.
I may not have ever owned an Ugg product, consumed Dom Perignon or worn a Tiffany tennis bracelet, but I am on the edge of proud to drive a slice of Texas grandeur in my King Ranch F-150. I am also very pleased to report that Thunder went to a family cattle ranch in the New River Valley.
Text by Joanne M. Anderson
Photos by Jon Fleming