Ford recently revealed the aluminum-bodied F-150’s mid-cycle refresh for 2024 with some notable, but evolutionary, upgrades that should keep the F-150 as one of the top full-size choices in the pickup market.
The biggest changes include improved tech, a subtle styling update, and a different take on the tailgate. Ford also worked on simplifying popular options to reduce build complexity.
For example, some popular features—like the extended-range fuel tank and Class IV trailer hitch—are now standard, while popular freestanding options like moonroof, Max Recline seats, axle upgrades and tow mirrors can still be ordered outside the package offering. Ford says they have reduced ordering complexity by 90 percent compared to the 2023 model.
Read on for an overview of changes and some more specific information about the off-road-centric Tremor and Raptor models.
Styling
Ford has tweaked the styling for 2024, focusing on front ends and wheels, as well as the hood and lighting. Ford’s signature LEDs now can help identify different trims, with lower models offering a horizontal amber turn indicator.
The STX and Tremor now feature a “coast-to-coast grille” which has a more sporty and aggressive style, unbroken by but surrounded with body color. STX also gains a new trim-wide Lime Green accent color. There is also a new Black Appearance Package available from STX to Lariat. Platinum trucks receive their own take on a blacked-out package.
Inside, interiors are updated with modern colors, such as Medium Dark Smoked Truffle, and blacked-out trim on Platinum and Platinum Plus models, while the new King Ranch interior gets a cool bi-metallic color scheme where Sinister Bronze is paired with chrome.
For 2024, Ford focused on high-quality materials for all of the company’s ’24 F-150 trucks, emphasizing wear and scratch resistance, regardless of the price point.
Engines
The previous normally aspirated 3.3-liter V6 base engine has been dropped in favor of the small but mighty 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, while optional engines include the 3.5-liter EcoBoost, 3.5-liter PowerBoost, 3.5-liter High Output (F-150 Raptor), 5.0-liter V8, and 5.2-liter supercharged V8 (F-150 Raptor R).
Ford said that power delivery has been optimized across the line but will release official power numbers closer to production.
Features
The PowerBoost hybrid will now be more widely available, spanning from XL through Platinum Plus trim levels and expanding the ease of getting into a hybrid F-150. Currently hybrid F-150s equate to about 10 percent of the F-150 mix, which Ford aims to double. To meet this goal, the company will price entry-level hybrid models to match the premium gas 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6.
PowerBoost-equipped trucks come standard with a 2.4kW Pro Power inverter, giving vehicles a maximum of 85 hours of runtime with a full tank of gas.
The hybrid’s optional Pro Power system comes with 7.2kW of exportable power and can support high-draw tasks such as welding—or even powering a residential home in an emergency.
A 2.0kW Pro Power system is optional on gas trucks, more than enough to power a tailgate party and giving the F-150 the most exportable power of any gas pickup in its class, making it a great feature for powering a campsite or a job site.
All F-150s are now standard with the big 12-inch center-stack screen, which complements a standard 12-inch gauge cluster to transfer a multitude of information to the driver.
An optional heads-up display (HUD) can be added. 2024 F-150s are connected with a faster 5G LTE modem.
A Ford-exclusive Pro Access tailgate attempts to invade the reconfigurable tailgate wars currently being waged by GM and Ram. Ford’s version installs an outward-swinging door within the tailgate that has detents at 37-, 70-, and 100-degrees of open.
This allows easy access to the bed from the driver’s side, even with a trailer attached. Within the bed, there are new in-bed storage boxes as well.
The ’24 F-150 is full of safety features, from the 10 standard driver-assist features (such as Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping System, and Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert).
Optional tech includes Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, and Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch, as well as the interesting Exit Warning, which detects bicyclists and vehicles coming up on the side of the vehicle as the driver door is opened.
Ford is also delving into subscription services with the company’s latest implementation of the self-driving Blue Cruise technology, which will come with a 90-day free trial before switching over to a paid plan, billed either monthly or annually.
Specific F-150 models boast best-in-class maximum payload of 2,455 pounds, while towing, when properly equipped, maxes out at an impressive 13,500.
Ford F-150 Tremor
We’ve always maintained that the F-150 Tremor was the sweet spot of the Ford F-150 lineup, offering more off-road capability than the standard F-150 but with more payload and towing than the Raptor.
This proposition gets even better for 2024 as Tremor comes more into its own as a standalone trim.
New for ’24 is an optional modular front bumper that uses the center section shared with the Raptor and allows for easy accessory mounting, such as a Ford Performance Winch Kit that uses a Warn 12,000-pound winch. Other bumper options include a bolt-on lightbar and brush guard.
The Tremor also gets its own coast-to-coast grille and color treatment, along with a unique front clip from the side mirrors forward. Other styling elements include Tremor box decals, orange accents, Tremor running boards and accent stitching and branding.
The F-150 Tremor package, which debuted in 2021, still retains off-road-tuned monotube shocks, more aggressive tires, full skid plating and a rear locker.
Ford F-150 Raptor
In addition to an aggressive new front end, the biggest news for the Raptor in 2024 is Ford finally adding two-way Dual Live Valve to the Fox Shocks.
To this point, Live Valve, which debuted in 2019, has only been available on the compression side of the factory dampers. The Dual Live Valve technology includes position-sensitive compression control and continuously variable rebound control.
Having variable control on the rebound side of the shock should be a huge improvement to the Raptor’s performance, especially in the face of the Ram 1500 TRX, which has always had two-way semi-active shock technology on its Bilstein dampers. Users should see a noticeable improvement on-road as well.
As mentioned, the Raptor now gets its version of the Ford Performance modular bumper, which has allowances in the end caps for the optional 37-inch tires and bolt-on accessories, such as a light bar. Forged tow hooks are much stronger than standard F-150’s tow hooks for more aggressive recoveries.
To better differentiate the Raptor R from a standard Raptor it sees a few styling tweaks, such as a unique standard wheel, a V8 logo on the interior, and a distinctive Power Dome hood. Ford has hinted that the Raptor R could also get a power bumper, but that information wasn’t available at the time of publishing.
Overall
With Ford’s 20024 F-150 freshening, the company hasn’t strayed too far from the formula that has made the truck so successful. With new tech and lots of capabilities that are easier for customers to get their hands on, the F-150 remains a solid choice in half-ton trucks. Ford tells us that the trucks should be available in early 2024, and we can’t wait to get our hands on one for a proper review.
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This article originally appeared in OVR Issue 06. For more informative articles like this, consider subscribing to OVR Magazine in print or digital versions here. You can also find the print edition of OVR at your local newsstand by using our Magazine Finder.
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