2018 Ford F-150 Police Responder Review: First Look
Ford revealed the first pursuit-rated pickup truck in the form of the 2018 F-150 Police Responder. Unveiled Thursday in Dearborn, Mich., the Responder gets 375 horsepower and 475 pounds-feet of torque from its 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, the most offered by any pursuit-rated police vehicle, according to Ford. It also can reach 100 mph.
Engineered for on- and off-road terrain, the Responder will be suitable for use in rural environments such as those patrolled by sheriff departments, border patrol or fish and game authorities.
The Police Responder is based on the F-150 FX4, which is a four-wheel-drive crew cab equipped with heavy-duty cloth seats, a center console delete, a column gear shifter, vinyl rear seating and heavy-duty vinyl flooring in front and back.
Under the hood, the Police Responder's down-rated twin-turbo V-6 EcoBoost is mated to a 10-speed transmission. It also gets upgraded brake calipers, 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires and a full complement of underbody skid plating. Additionally, this police pickup will have a high-output 240-amp alternator to run the communications and database equipment different law enforcement agencies use.
There is no word about Ford offering a consumer version of this package.
Manufacturer images
Editor's note: This post was updated July 21, 2017, to correct the amperage of the alternator.
Comments
sweet, i'm hoping to get on for my EMS job!
Only 100 MPH? What are the standard F-150's speed limited to?
It is governed because your tires aren't rated for higher speeds. Most trucks are limited to 95-105 MPH. The base Silverado stops at 98. The base F-150 is 105 MPH. You can buy a programmer to take it off.
OK, come the f@#$ on!!
I don't really get in to the "who is better " stuff but Chevy has offered a PURSUIT package Tahoe since the first gen Tahoe.
They were badass, I drove them when I was in that career they would run about around 131mph with a light bar on top and gear in them and turn faster lap times than a Crown Vic!
And you are promoting this as news??? Ford aint got no brag here!
Tahoe aint a pickup truck.
OK, come the f@#$ on!!
I don't really get in to the "who is better " stuff but Chevy has offered a PURSUIT package Tahoe since the first gen Tahoe.
They were badass, I drove them when I was in that career they would run about around 131mph with a light bar on top and gear in them and turn faster lap times than a Crown Vic!
And you are promoting this as news??? Ford aint got no brag here!
Posted by: Old GM Guy | Jul 21, 2017 11:18:11 AM
Calm down Princess.
Old GM Guy: This Ford F150 Police Responder has significantly more service content and ability than the Tahoe PPV. And, these days, no trooper will chase a perp at speeds over 100 mph--especially off-road. Off the line, this truck will walk away from a V8 Tahoe.
Were police packages ever sold directly to the public? I feel like it would be a good seller if it kept all the performance parts and left out the lights and any restraint equipment.
Were police packages ever sold directly to the public? I feel like it would be a good seller if it kept all the performance parts and left out the lights and any restraint equipment.
Posted by: BD | Jul 21, 2017 11:55:07 AM
Yes, they do sell them at auctions as is after they've fulfilled their duties.
"The Police Responder is based on the F-150 FX4..."
Wrong, it's basically an F-150 XL SuperCrew 4x4 with the FX4 Off-Road package and some additional upgrades. FX4 hasn't been a stand-alone trim since the 12th gen.
100 mph? I have yet to see any light duty truck tires with a speed rating under114mph. My Titan is goverened at 114 and it feels pretty stable at that speed.
Chevy has the fastest police vehicle.
Chevy Caprice.
155 mph
http://www.businessinsider.com/fastest-cop-police-cars-ford-dodge-chevy-2016-11/#3-chevrolet-caprice-60l-rwd-8
This is the fact you cannot deny.
Let it be written.
Wow, the police responder package. No thank you. I take the Chevy Silverado Black Edition.
Off the line, this truck will walk away from a V8 Tahoe.
Posted by: redbloodedxy | Jul 21, 2017 11:42:28 AM
More like roll away from a Table... On the back of a flatbed after that junk ecoboost blows up. I can attest to that much. 2016 F-150 3.5EB XLT Scab - engine blown at 23k miles, transmission grinding at 30k miles. I wish Ford would make old school, reliable trucks again. I gave in to all the hype about these new F-150 ecoboosts and I regret it.
Ford 375hp, won't catch a Chevy
JEALOUS GARBAGE MOTORS FAN GIRLYS?
IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT BEAT IT. WE ALL KNOW FORD US THE BEST SO GO SUCK ON A LOLLYPOP.
does it come with carbon monoxide detector? yall know ford explorers are having issues.
@ Ford #2, Second to Chevy, Suck on your own LOLLIPOP.
"down-rated twin-turbo V-6 EcoBoost""gets 375 horsepower and 475 pounds-feet of torque"
Sounds like the standard engine to me. Maybe they just mean that it is not the Raptor engine.
There is a lot about the truck that I would like to have, maybe they will be offered to the general public soon. I know that the 240A alternator is already available. The skid rails and column shift with more useful console should be offered to the public as well. They already have column shift in the SD line.
Column shift is already in the F-150.
"this police pickup will have a high-output 240-volt alternator to run"
Surely that is amps, not volts.
...equipped with heavy-duty cloth seats, a center console delete, a column gear shifter, and heavy-duty vinyl flooring
@Frank
Sounds just like my 2009 Silverado LS!
GM wins again!
Police Suffer Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Driving Ford Explorer https://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/police-suffering-carbon-monoxide-poisoning-driving-ford-explorer/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSipH68VCu8
FORD SUCKS!!!
FORD ALWAYS DISTORTS AND TELLS LIES!
GET THIS FOOL F150 OUT OF HERE!
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...equipped with heavy-duty cloth seats, a center console delete, a column gear shifter, and heavy-duty vinyl flooring
@Frank
Sounds just like my 2009 Silverado LS!
Posted by: papajim | Jul 21, 2017 2:15:07 PM
Fantastic! You'd be right at home when they haul your @$$ away.
Fantastic! You'd be right at home when they haul your @$$ away.
Posted by: Frank | Jul 21, 2017 5:05:34 PM
LOL!
There is a video on Youtube that polls Ford service techs about which engine they would have in a F-150.Almost all of them picked the 5.0 ltr. V-8...
More like last Responder! It's hard to be first with cheap broken China qty parts. Ram and GM by far would make it to you first.
these days, no trooper will chase a perp at speeds over 100 mph--especially off-road. Off the line, this truck will walk away from a V8 Tahoe.
Posted by: redbloodedxy | Jul 21, 2017 11:42:28 AM
So why buy a failure proven eco turd v6 that gets same mpg as a v8. Wait Ford fired their CEO and is hurting for money the past 2 years HAHAHAHA! Ford idea make another low profit failure feet model, Stupid!
There is a video on Youtube that polls Ford service techs about which engine they would have in a F-150.Almost all of them picked the 5.0 ltr. V-8...
Posted by: Hil Billee | Jul 21, 2017 6:58:47 PM
Yep and when the Ford rep asked why, the embarrassing thing was that they all said the 5.0 was more reliable than the 3.5 ecobust. They've seen how much it costs to keep an ecoboost running once the timing chain and turbo start to go... both just after the warranty. Not that the 5.0 Coyote is much better. So many of them develop the infamous "Coyote knock" aka "Coyote tick" many requiring new long blocks if they're under warranty. That awful 5.4 Triton DNA still shows thru from time to time.
This truck is a danger to the motoring public!
Trucks like this should not be traveling at high speeds nor taking corners too fast!
Looks like many alleged criminals will be getting away when this things tries to take its first corner on wet pavement and crashes and burns!
I refuse to pay for additional tire wear due to spinning tires and loss of traction all of the time!
This truck is a danger to the motoring public!
Trucks like this should not be traveling at high speeds nor taking corners too fast!
Looks like many alleged criminals will be getting away when this things tries to take its first corner on wet pavement and crashes and burns!
I refuse to pay for additional tire wear due to spinning tires and loss of traction all of the time!
This truck is a danger to the motoring public!
Trucks like this should not be traveling at high speeds nor taking corners too fast!
Looks like many alleged criminals will be getting away when this things tries to take its first corner on wet pavement and crashes and burns!
I refuse to pay for additional tire wear due to spinning tires and loss of traction all of the time!
This truck is a danger to the motoring public!
Trucks like this should not be traveling at high speeds nor taking corners too fast!
Looks like many alleged criminals will be getting away when this things tries to take its first corner on wet pavement and crashes and burns!
I refuse to pay for additional tire wear due to spinning tires and loss of traction all of the time!
This truck is a danger to the motoring public!
Trucks like this should not be traveling at high speeds nor taking corners too fast!
Looks like many alleged criminals will be getting away when this things tries to take its first corner on wet pavement and crashes and burns!
I refuse to pay for additional tire wear due to spinning tires and loss of traction all of the time!
This truck is a danger to the motoring public!
Trucks like this should not be traveling at high speeds nor taking corners too fast!
Looks like many alleged criminals will be getting away when this things tries to take its first corner on wet pavement and crashes and burns!
I refuse to pay for additional tire wear due to spinning tires and loss of traction all of the time!
I can understand why law enforcement would prefer a truck to most cars that are offered. Since the demise of the Crown Victoria the police version of the Taurus is more cramped in the front with less room for police gear. Most of today's sedans are not nearly as roomy as their predecessors. Also the front wheel drive platforms do not hold up as well to the wear and tear that most law enforcement demands. Today's cars have less ingress and egress especially for law enforcement officers carry additional gear. Most of the law enforcement where I live has gone to the police package Explorers which are easier to get in and out of and offer 4 wheel drive but then again the Explorer is based on a front wheel drive platform and remains to be seen how well they will hold up over the long run.
There is a video on Youtube that polls Ford service techs about which engine they would have in a F-150.Almost all of them picked the 5.0 ltr. V-8...
Posted by: Hil Billee | Jul 21, 2017 6:58:47 PM
Hey, Hil Billee. Do you know Frank?
@ hemi & mp ... "Police Suffer Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Driving Ford Explorer "
NOTHING has been proven yet.. by NHTS.
Not saying is or isn't, just not proven or official cause of being sicken
They had to install carbon monoxide detectors in all the new Explorers at APD due to officers sitting still w/engine running getting overcome by fumes.
law enforcement where I live has gone to the police package Explorers which are easier to get in and out of and offer 4 wheel drive but then again the Explorer is based on a front wheel drive platform and remains to be seen how well they will hold up over the long run.
Posted by: Jeff S | Jul 22, 2017 8:17:13 AM
Especially since they're typically equipped with the 3.5EB, an engine known for poor long term reliability and dangerous stalling issues. The number one complaint for the 2016 Ford Explorer was engine issues.
Not saying is or isn't, just not proven or official cause of being sicken
Posted by: supercrew02 | Jul 23, 2017 7:55:02 AM
I know I would be sick if I had to spend anytime in a Ford.
The number one complaint for the 2016 Ford Explorer was engine issues. Posted by: Liddell | Jul 23, 2017
@Liddell
I think Jeff S was referring to the unibody construction of the current Explorer. The previous truck based Explorer would have been more rugged. My 2 cents
The previous truck based Explorer would have been more rugged. My 2 cents
Posted by: papajim | Jul 23, 2017 7:04:08 PM
@papajim--That's not what I am saying at all. I'll still say that Honda makes a truck than any of them and the Ridgeline is unibody. You are a unibodyafobe it a appears.
The previous truck based Explorer would have been more rugged. My 2 cents
Posted by: papajim | Jul 23, 2017 7:04:08 PM
@papajim--That's not what I am saying at all. I'll still say that Honda makes a better truck than any of them and the Ridgeline is unibody. You are a unibodyafobe it appears.
Great Job Ford as always, giving the Gm boys something to talk about.
The back seat needs to be reworked with molds for restrained arms and also a divider for the front seat occupants.
Listen to the chevy b!tches b!tch... well that's what b!tches do.
Just woulda thought that with being 2nd for 40 years straight and going bankrupt they would be used to their failure. Some folks never learn.
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