Ford King Ranch Fleet: Bred for Strength and Style

Staff Report

MUNCIE, IN - Even in Muncie around fair season, modern cowboys do not ride as many horses these days. However, on the King Ranch out West, remaining cowboys are likely to drive the King Ranch Editions of the Ford F-150, Super Duty, and Expedition.

The vehicles and the ranch that inspired them share some key characteristics:

• Uncompromising quality, strong heritage, and bold ruggedness.
• As rugged as the birthplace of American ranching.

King Ranch was founded in 1853 in Mexico by Richard King, who purchased 15,500-acres of land to start a cattle operation he’d dreamed of for years. The ranch started with cattle but has also successfully bred thoroughbred stallions for the Belmont stakes and the Kentucky Derby.

Today, King Ranch spans 825,000 acres and has property in Texas, Florida, New Mexico and South Carolina. In addition to cattle and horses, the King Ranch is best known for producing:

• Tuft grass--largest producer of tuft grass in the US.
• Citrus--largest citrus grower in the country.
• Farming--cultivating large crops of cotton, sugar cane and sweet corn.
• Pecans--operating as Young Pecan, King Ranch is the largest processor of pecans in the US, serving large retailers and food companies.
• Cattle--developed the first new official breed of cattle, the Santa Gertrudis breed.

Built on the backbone of 158 years of ranching history, the first King Ranch edition of Ford trucks was built in 2001.

“The quality of the leather and craftsmanship, along with what Ford stands for-that’s who King Ranch is,” says King Ranch CEO Robert Underbrink of the relationship.

The latest line of Ford trucks to carry the “Running W” badging are the 2012 F-150, Super Duty and Expedition. The 2012 King Ranch F-150 is equipped with an EcoBoost engine that harnesses the power of 365 horses. The King Ranch Super Duty looks tough and is made to work. The available 6.7-liter PowerStroke engine’s 400 horsepower is a big reason why.

And the 2012 King Ranch Expedition isn’t your average SUV when it comes to power, either. Underneath the hood, a standard 5.4-liter V-8 churns out 310 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque. While this truck may not be for everyone, for those who need power, it can do the job - and then some. Check with a local Muncie, Indiana Ford dealership to learn more.