Tag: Trucks

Top Reasons to Buy a Used Truck

There may be no better type of vehicle to buy used than a truck. On top of all the usual perks of buying used, you get a few extra ones when you buy a used truck — and largely, it has to do with their dependability.

Trucks are more durable

Trucks like the Ford F-150 and Ford Ranger are built from the ground up to take punishment. Towing a few thousand pounds, or in the case of the Ford Super Duty®, tens of thousands of pounds, takes more than just a whole lot of power. It also requires an ultra-strong frame and some seriously robust powertrain components. As a result, trucks tend to remain in service for quite a long time, especially if you take good care of them. If you can find a pre-owned truck that was used for commuting more so than for work, you’ve got yourself a gem.

Trucks retain more value

Thanks to their popularity, reputation, and aforementioned durability, trucks also retain more value over time than your average vehicle. If your preferred vehicle shopping strategy is to buy used, sell in a few years, then rinse and repeat, you can get much greater value out of buying and selling trucks than other types of rides. Trucks keep their value better so that when you sell or trade them, you get more of your money back.

Have you decided to buy a used Ford truck? Check out our excellent pre-owned inventory at Two Rivers Ford in Mount Juliet, Tennessee!

Ford Acquired Electriphi to Benefit Commercial Customers

Ford announced it acquired Electriphi, a California-based software company that specializes in charging management and monitoring electric vehicle fleets. Electriphi will be rolled into a new global Ford business called Ford Pro, which is devoted to enhancing the experience of the growing number of commercial customers who are adding electric vehicles to their fleets.

With the F-150 Lightning Pro and E-Transit cargo van already in Ford’s production pipeline, enhancing its EV commercial business was the obvious next step for Ford to take. Ford Pro expects that by 2030, the software that Electriphi developed will help it earn more than $1 billion in revenue from charging alone. A driving force will be the evolution of the depot charging industry, which Ford Pro estimates will grow to more than 600,000 full-size trucks and vans in the coming decade.

Ford Pro CEO Ted Cannis, said, “With Electriphi’s existing advanced technology IP in the Ford Pro electric vehicles and services portfolio, we will enhance the experience for commercial customers and be a single-source solution for fleet-depot charging.”

If you’re looking to add an electric vehicle to your fleet, Ford has got you covered. Learn more about the F-150 Lightning Pro, E-Transit cargo van, and Ford Pro commercial technologies by contacting Two Rivers Ford in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

Ford Reveals Key Updates for 2022 Super Duty

The F-Series is America’s bestselling truck for 44 years, and Ford is aiming to extend that streak to 45 years and then some. Ford announced a host of updates for the new 2022 Super Duty, including new style options and a big addition in terms of tech.

Perhaps the biggest update coming to the 2022 Ford Super Duty is SYNC® 4 infotainment with a landscape-oriented 12-inch touch screen. Standard on the Super Duty Lariat and up, SYNC® 4 brings features like wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ as well as cloud-based connectivity.

“Super Duty customers aren’t just working harder these days, they are also working smarter,” said Todd Eckert, Ford Truck Group Marketing manager. “We’re further helping our customers raise their game and get the job done with purposeful technology through the introduction of SYNC 4 with a larger 12-inch screen and 24×7 cloud connectivity for both their truck and mobile devices.”

The 2022 Ford Super Duty lineup also gets updates in terms of looks with a pair of new packages. The Lariat Sport Appearance Package adds body-color bumpers, grille, and mirrors for a more unique look that contrasts sharply with the chrome exhaust tip and black running boards.

Ford is also offering up its Black Appearance Package on the Super Duty XLT. This popular option swaps in 20-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels, 6-inch Ebony Black running boards, and blacked out Blue Oval badges. The XLT Black Appearance Package launches in the fall.

Also new for 2022 is a Baja interior option for the Super Duty Lariat as well as Navy Pier and Light Slate interiors for the Super Duty Limited. Joining the lineup is a new Atlas Blue exterior color that makes the 2022 Super Duty pop even more.

Add all that to incredible performance and capability, including best-in-class maximum conventional towing and maximum payload capacity, and you’ve got a winner on your hands. Check out the new and improved 2022 Ford Super Duty when it arrives at Two Rivers Ford in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

New Ford F-150 Seats May Be the Most Comfortable Truck Seats Ever

Ford trucks are undeniably tough, but did you know they’re relaxing too? The 2021 F-150 sure is! Its designers know that you like to relax in the cab during your lunch break or nap at a rest stop during a long road trip. That’s why the latest F-150 truck offers all-new Max Recline Seats.

This class-exclusive available seating enhancement makes it easier for you to get comfortable in your new F-150 when you’re not driving. These comfortable Ford F-150 seats are the result of careful research and testing to find the best design for lower back support and neck support when you lean the chair back. They can fold nearly 180 degrees flat while still forming to your body’s contours so you don’t wake up sore.

Seat design and release engineer, Ben Kulhawik, explained his invention in a press release: “It’s simple, it’s effective, and we believe our customers will love how much more productive they can be just by getting a little more rest during downtime.”

These Max Recline Seats are one of the many exclusive features on the 2021 Ford F-150. If you’re interested in learning more about this legendary pickup truck, be sure to give us a call at Two Rivers Ford in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

Ford Ranger Earns the Top Spot in the 2020 American-Made Index

Each year, Cars.com compiles its American-Made Index, which ranks vehicles by how much they contribute to the U.S. economy. In 2020, the Ford Ranger earned the number-one spot and bested 90 other models. After all, what’s more American than this fun pickup truck?

Cars.com created its 2020 list based on five individual factors: where a vehicle is assembled, where its engines come from, where its parts are sourced, where its transmissions originate, and the number of people employed in U.S. factories, relative to the automaker’s manufacturing.

The 2020 Ford Ranger is equipped with the 270-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost®. This engine is built at the Cleveland Engine Plant in Ohio. Meanwhile, its crankshaft, block and head are built at the Romeo Engine Plant located in Michigan.

In addition to making contributions to the economy, the 2020 Ford Ranger is also a powerful and capable midsize pickup that more than earns its accolades. When properly equipped, it can tow 7,500 pounds, deliver a best-in-class maximum payload rating of 1,860 pounds and achieve a best-in-class gas torque rating of 310 lb-ft.

To learn more about the 2020 Ford Ranger and how you can get behind the wheel of this American truck, give us a call at Two Rivers Ford, located right here in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

U.S. Truck Sales Surpass Passenger Car Sales for the First Time

U.S. vehicle trends have been changing for years in favor of trucks and SUVs. While their sales have gradually gone up year after year, passenger car sales have declined. This year, American truck sales have finally surpassed the sales of cars for the first time in history according to Autodata Corporation.

There’s not a small gap, either. Bloomberg reported that there were 17,000 more pickup trucks than passenger cars during April. The trucks that are doing the best are full-size trucks, accounting for more than 40 percent of American manufacturer sales in that month.

You’re probably not surprised if you’re a truck enthusiast, but others might wonder why trucks have taken over. Recent deals like zero-percent financing offers and the extremely low gas prices have certainly made buying a truck a sweeter choice.

If the trend continues, it’s possible that dealers like us at Two Rivers Ford may even find it difficult to keep trucks in stock. This is thanks to some production plants shut down during the ongoing COVI-19 pandemic, resulting in less supply when there’s been a surge in demand.

Sales will only get better as there is no reason for this trend to end, so you should expect the margin between trucks and cars to get even wider in the future. No matter what happens, we on the Two Rivers Ford team in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, will do what we can to find you the perfect truck.

Ford Ranger FX2 Package Brings 4WD Capability to 2WD Trucks

If you’re seeking a truck with tough looks and sporty capabilities, consider a 2020 Ford Ranger equipped with the Ranger FX2 Package. This package is designed to provide two-wheel-drive Ranger models with unique style elements and increased ruggedness for off-road driving.

When you opt for the FX2 Package, you can receive an off-road-tuned suspension to help you drive on rougher terrain and an electronic-locking rear differential to enhance performance off the road. You’ll also get an off-road cluster screen so that you can track your truck’s roll, pitch and yaw with ease.

Rugged design elements offered by the FX2 Package include an air dam-delete and front underbody guard for extra underbody protection and capability off the beaten path. The package also adds tough-looking 17-inch off-road tires or available 18-inch off-road tires.

The FX2 Package accentuates the already-rugged features of the Ranger, which include a high-strength steel frame along with a muscular 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine paired to an advanced 10-speed automatic transmission. The truck is also available with the Chrome Appearance Package, Bed Utility Package and other great options.

Contact us here at Two Rivers Ford in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, to learn more about the features available for the 2020 Ford Ranger and how to get behind the wheel of an off-road-ready truck.

Leveling Kits Are Available for Ford F-150 and Ranger

To prepare your truck for your next off-road adventure, you can now purchase leveling kits for the Ford F-150 and Ranger. These kits allow you to have a more customized truck and have improved off-road performance.

Off-Road Leveling Kits

Offered by Ford Performance Parts, the off-road leveling kits give you more ground clearance so you can handle difficult terrains. They feature new aluminum FOX™ shock bodies for sufficient cooling capacity and new front coilover springs. The kits also include upper front mounts along with polyurethane bushings to create a quieter cabin experience.

With the off-road leveling kit, the approach angle of the Ranger has about a 21 percent increase, while the approach angle of the F-150 has about a 22 percent increase when it has a 145-inch wheelbase.

Increased Customization

Eric Cin, global director, Ford Vehicle Personalization and Accessories, said, “Truck customers are asking for options for increased capability and customization, and the new leveling suspension kits for Ranger and F-150 deliver on that need.”

Where To Purchase

You can purchase these kits through a Ford dealer and have them installed at the dealership. The kits are available for off-road enthusiasts driving a four-wheel-drive 2019 Ford F-150 or a four-wheel-drive 2019 Ranger.

Learn more about the off-roading features of the 2019 Ford F-150 and Ranger when you take them out for test drives at Two Rivers Ford.

Aluminum Lowers Repair Costs on Ford F-150

Ford has replaced the steel on the Ford F-150 with military-grade aluminum alloy. Many originally thought this change would create higher repair costs, but the Highway Loss Data Institute actually found that the new F-150 has a claim severity that’s 7% less than the previous generation, lowering the repair costs.

Defying Expectations

Prior aluminum vehicles had a higher collision claim, which is why many thought the F-150 would follow suit. However, Matt Moore, senior vice president of the Highway Loss Data Institute said, “Simply put, when we look at the overall losses relative to the other pickup trucks, there’s not a change, which was not consistent with expectations.”

More Efficient & Lightweight

Aluminum makes the current F-150 more efficient and lightweight. Plus, aluminum is less expensive to fix. Accordingly, replacement parts are 16% cheaper than the previous version.

New Training

Ford is also training dealerships to provide repairs with new equipment, which could also be lowering repair costs. The new equipment has a fairly high upfront cost that could reach $40,000, but people, such as Doug North, president of North Brothers Ford in Westland, Michigan, have made it clear that they believe the equipment is well worth the cost.

We at Two Rivers Ford are proud to offer the Ford F-150 at our dealership. We encourage you to take the truck out for a test drive to see its great features in person.