2016 Ford F-150 to Offer CNG/Propane Prep Package
Ford will offer a compressed natural gas or propane prep package on 2016 F-150s equipped with the 5.0-liter V-8 engine. Previous F-150s (the 2014 model) were offered with a CNG prep package on only the smaller 3.7-liter V-6; however, based on customer input, Ford is moving the new prep package to the larger V-8 engine to give buyers more capability.
The new prep package, which includes an upgraded intake, hardened valves and valves seats will cost just $315 (identical to 2014 pricing). Once equipped with the package, customers will be able to choose one of several Ford-certified suppliers to upfit the vehicle with the plumbing and storage tanks necessary for the alternative fuel system. Conversions typically run between $7,500 and $9,500 (depending on fuel-tank sizes), but overall costs have been coming down in recent years.
The new prep package for the F-150 makes it the first half-ton in the segment to have this available from the factory. Both GM and Ram offer a similar system on their 2500 models, but not on their light-duty trucks. Since the 2016 F-150 will have the bigger V-8 and better towing and payload numbers, Ford is anticipating selling significantly more of these trucks than it did in 2014, when it sold about 2,000 vehicles with the prep package. The Super Duty is the most popular alternative-fuel vehicle in the category.
Alternative-fuel prep packages are popular with fleet buyers because they can make large-quantity purchases of alternative fuel at the worksite or their headquarters and, in some cases, fill up the vehicle's bed- or underbody-mounted fuel tank with CNG or propane that can cost as little as $1 per gallon of gasoline equivalent. The setup usually yields slightly less fuel efficiency and overall engine power output, but towing and payload are unaffected. Ford now offers the alternative-fuel prep package on more than a dozen pickups, vans and heavy-duty chassis trucks and is on course to sell as many as 25,000 alternative-fuel-prepped vehicles by 2016.
For more information about the new 2016 F-150 prep package, click the icon below.
To read about Ford's vehicle lineup and leadership in CNG/propane conversions, click the icon below.
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Comments
"The new prep package, which includes an upgraded intake, hardened valves and valves seats will cost just $315 (identical to 2014 pricing)."
Too bad I can't get such upgrades for a normal F150. Okay, I know I'm going to start a debate here, but if Ford offers this with only the CNG trucks, why can't they make this standard on regular trucks?
I would be willing to pay the $300 difference for better valves and valve seats. In my experience, it's stuff like valves that tends to be the death of most engines.
@HEMI MONSTER,
How much does the US Fed give Ford for every CNG pickup manufactured?
Remember incentives are provided.
What I don't like is the uselessness of CNG. The pickup will carry 5 fully grown men comfortably in the cab, but there's only enough room for their lunches in the back.
As a working vehicle it will have to travel 3 times as far to move a load. The pickup tub is all CNG tanks.
HEMI MONSTER
The engine needs hardened valve seats cause the CNG passes thru the valves thru throttle body injection where the gasoline 5.0 is direct injection.
I wonder if it is similar to what Ford offered in Australia? Lack of Government incentives for the LNG/ CNG industry killed that off
"
EcoLPi (Liquid Phase Injection) is a new technology developed by Ford engineers right here in Australia.
It is an LPG fuel injection system designed to deliver and burn fuel more efficiently, giving the engine significantly better performance.
EcoLPi is also easier on the environment and your wallet - using less fuel and producing fewer CO2 emissions compared to traditional LPG systems.
How it Works
EcoLPi (Liquid Phase Injection) uses new LPG injectors to deliver fuel directly into the intake port, in liquid form. This system has substantial advantages over traditional LPG systems, which turn liquefied gas to vapour form before feeding it into the intake manifold of the engine.
Why is liquid phase injection better?
As opposed to traditional systems, the liquid injection system takes the gas in liquid state all the way to the injectors. The injectors deliver LPG liquid into the intake port as the engine sucks in the air/fuel mix. As the LPG liquid is released from the injector, because it is no longer under pressure, it expands approximately 250 times into gas and almost freezes the incoming air. This creates the ideal condition for maximum fuel burning efficiency, hence producing more power and torque economically and with fewer CO2 emissions."
http://www.ford.com.au/cars/falcon/ecolpi
@ Tom#3 - The 5.0 is not direct Injected....
@ HEMIMONSTER
Unless I'm missing something you CAN get the hardened valves et.al on any 5.0 F150 by ticking this box($315). Just don't install CNG tanks in the truck and voila - a gas 5.0 engine with the hardened valves you want.
Ford is offering prep packages, not factory turn-key CNG trucks like GM and Ram do. With Ford you still have to have the truck converted by an upfitter. Makes for some interesting warranty issues........
Good looking truck and the only CNG half-ton. Love the front end and the round wheel arches. Ford wins, again.
"The pickup will carry 5 fully grown men comfortably in the cab, but there's only enough room for their lunches in the back."
Posted by: Big Al from Oz | May 4, 2015 12:15:02 AM
True, but trucks can tow more than they can haul.
@Big Al from Oz
I do agree with you.
What is the purpose of CNG? It is said to be cleaner burning.
Does the perceived benefit outweigh the cost? I don't think so.
In many U.S. jurisdictions, city and county buses have been CNG or LNG for many years now. They always seem to have lots of problems too.
It is politics at play.
@HEMI V8,
So, what your saying is you need a vehicle with a combined length of over 32' to do the job a 15' long Transit Connect can do?
Smart business. I can see why you are a union man.
Where is the eco popper engine with CNG? It's 60% of sales guess that eco boost or pop engine isn't so great, if it can't run on different fuels and live up to fleet work!
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