5 Most Overrated/Underrated Ford Truck Options!

Intro

A new Ford truck is an expensive purchase. And that is before you start to add pricey options. Get a little careless with the options sheet and suddenly your $50,000 truck has become a $70,000 truck. And in some cases, that can be justified. If you need the optional equipment to get the job done, or if you just want to pamper yourself a bit.

But some options available on new Ford trucks today are a bit overrated. Not bad options, mind you, just options can feel like must-haves when, in reality, they're not. On the other hand, there are some Ford truck options that are underrated. These are options that many brush off and don’t consider very important, but the fact is that they are more useful than you might think.

Today, we are looking at all of the Ford truck options and listing for you the five that we feel are overrated and underrated. Can you think of other options that should be on this list? Let us know your thoughts.

#1 Overrated – Large Diameter Wheels

Bigger isn’t always better. Yes, larger wheels usually make a truck look better. But there is a price to pay for those looks. (Besides, of course, the actual monetary price.) Larger wheels are heavier, and that negatively impacts everything from acceleration to braking and fuel mileage. Also, larger diameter wheels are typically fitted with tires with a smaller sidewall. These tires may be better for taking corners, but not for taking abuse. These tires are more fragile and prone to damage. They also offer a firmer ride and don’t protect the wheels as well as tires with a larger sidewall, so the wheels are more susceptible to damage. For pure street performance, the larger diameter wheels might be fine, but if you are using your truck off-road and in harsh conditions, you are going to want to stick with a smaller diameter wheel in most cases.

#1 Underrated – SecuriCode Keyless Entry Keypad

Ford ditched the SecuriCode as standard a few years ago, but it is now a $225 option. Some people think it's outdated technology, but others still swear by it for the convenience. For such a small amount of money, it's an underrated option. It makes it easy for you to keep a key in your truck, but still lock it and easily gain access when you need to. This has been a Ford trademark for many years, and we think it is an underrated option.

#2 Overrated – Power-Deployable Running Boards

Power-deployable running boards are a nice bit of technology. They are convenient and keep the lines of the truck clean when they are tucked away. However, they do have a downside. They can be prone to failure and can easily get gummed up with dirt/ice. Another thing that folks often don’t consider is that fixed boards act as a bit of a barrier from other car doors being opened. This can prevent unsightly, annoying, and expensive-to-fix door dings by careless folks parked next to you.

#2 Underrated – 360-Degree Camera Package

Some may scoff at the thought of a 360-degree camera. Who needs that nonsense, right? Until you drive a new F-Series with a 360-degree camera. The system makes it so much easier to maneuver the truck in tight spaces. The system also comes with cross traffic alert, reverse brake assist, and more. Anything that makes you safer is a worthwhile option.  

#3 Overrated – 6.7L High Output Power Stroke

This might be a controversial pick, but hear us out. The H.O. 6.7L Power Stroke is a fantastic engine. But in most Super Duty trims, it's an extra $2,500 compared to the regular 6.7L. And the regular 6.7L is so good that it makes you question the need for the H.O. Bragging about torque figures is one thing, but the regular 6.7L can do damn near everything the H.O. 6.7 can do. If money is no object, then go for the H.O. But we think that 99 percent of owners could not even tell the difference if they didn’t know which version of the 6.7L was under their hood.

#3 Underrated – Electronic Locking Axle

In most cases, upgrading to an electronic locking rear axle is a couple hundred dollar upgrade. And for that small outlay of cash, it will greatly improve traction in slippery conditions. That is especially true in 2WD models. A 2WD truck with good tires and a locking rear axle is surprisingly capable.

#4 Overrated – Twin Panel Moonroof

Adding the Twin Panel Moonroof to your truck is expensive. But there's another problem. How many of you have owned a car or truck with a leaky moonroof? We all have. It happens even with the most expensive vehicles in the world. Drainage holes can get clogged, and the next thing you know, you have a leaky roof. On top of that, they add weight to the worst part of the truck to be carrying extra weight. That added weight reduces payload capacity on top of raising the center of gravity. So, really be sure you want this before you add it.

#4 Underrated – BlueCruise

If you do a decent amount of highway driving, BlueCruise is a handy feature to have. It is constantly being upgraded, and more miles of road are being mapped. Getting a bit of hands-free driving in during a long drive can really help reduce fatigue and keep you fresh. It is something that a lot of folks may see as useless, but if highway driving is your thing, then BlueCruise can really make your life easier.

#5 Overrated – Tonneau Pickup Box Cover

Tonneau covers are not overrated per se. They are useful pieces of equipment. We put them on the overrated list because, as an option from Ford, they are. There are a number of high-quality tonneau covers that can be purchased on the aftermarket, and many of them are half the price of what Ford charges. So, if you want a cover, that's fine, but check the aftermarket first. You could save yourself a heap of cash.

#5 Underrated – 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid

A lot of folks hear hybrid and dismiss the PowerBoost as a fuel sipper. But it is much more than that. It can be a bit more fuel efficient, and everyone likes that. But it also offers more power and towing capability. We will go out on a limb and say everyone likes that as well. It also gives you the option to upgrade to 7.2kW – Pro Power Onboard. The PowerBoost powerplant offers a lot of advantages and yet it is still underrated by many. Give it a try. We think you might be pleasantly surprised.

Images: Ford