2005 Ford F-350 King Ranch

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Although its 6870-pound curb weight lifts the F-350 into commercial-truck territory where fuel mileage isn't reported, even its estimated 10-to-12 miles-per-gallon average pales in comparison with boarding and feeding the typical stable-full of polo ponies over a year's time.

So it's all the more interesting to note that the Super Duty's little brother F-150 costs $41,750 in its own right when decked out in King Ranch leathers. This, too, is a fine truck in many respects, and the interior opulence isn't diminished in the least when translated into the smaller, half-ton truck category. From the standpoint of working credentials, however, the F-150 is but a shadow of its Super Duty sibling, even if the price doesn't suggest so.

For example, with its 5.4-liter V-8, the F-150 delivers 300 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacity is 8200 pounds, and the payload limit is 1560 pounds. Within the light-truck category, these are honorable, even impressive credentials. But within Ford's own pup tent, there's something incongruous about a 45-percent lower towing capacity and 69-percent lower payload capacity in an F-150 costing only eight percent less than an F-350.

Of course, the F-150's virtues are many: ride is nimbler; fuel economy (14 mpg city, 18 mpg highway) is better; and variable valve timing packs a zesty engine punch. The Easy-Lift tailgate is a godsend, and the new-for-'04 interior redesign is especially inventive and convenient. It's just that there are plenty of other F-150 trim packages that cost many thousands less - as much as $10,000 to $12,000 less - than this pricey King Ranch version yet deliver every bit as much muscle and gumption.

I'm tempted to suspect, in other words, that there's a touch of hornswagglin' going on where this King Ranch F-150's window-sticker is concerned. If so, let the cow chips fall where they may, and be careful where you step in them purty Lucchese boots.

2005 Ford Super Duty F-350 King Ranch

Base price: $45,505

Engine: 6.8-liter V-10, 362 hp/457 lb-ft

Transmission: Five-speed automatic, four-wheel drive

Length x width x height: 245.6 x 95.5 x 80.1 inches

Wheelbase: 156.2 inches

Curb weight: 6870 lb

Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): N/A

Safety equipment: Dual front airbags; anti-lock brakes

Major standard equipment: AM/FM/CD player; power locks/windows/mirrors; Castaño leather seating

Warranty: Three years/36,000 miles

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