Editor's Note: Check out the updated Ford Medium-Duty Truck of the Year win for 2023! 

Out of a field of 18 strong candidates and top 5 finalists, the Ford F-650 and F-750 were named Work Truck’s Medium-Duty Truck of the Year for 2022.

Work Truck readers selected the pickup truck because of its application effectiveness, durability, quality, servicing, maintenance, and lifecycle costs.

“On behalf of the entire Ford Pro team, I’d like to say thank you to all the fleet managers who have once again voted F-650 and F-750 Work Truck magazine’s Medium-Duty Truck of the Year. It is so gratifying to know that when you need a dependable truck for a big job, Ford Medium Duty is the overwhelming choice,” said Tim Baughman, Ford Pro general manager, North America. “From our engineers and designers in Michigan to the hardworking men and women who build the trucks at Ohio Assembly Plant, thank you for your trust.”

The award was announced at Work Truck Week 2022 on March 8.

“Work Truck congratulates Ford on its ninth win of this prestigious award. Ford continues to offer commercial trucks that offer the features and capability that work truck fleet managers need, as evidenced by their top win for 2022,” said Lauren Fletcher, executive editor of Work Truck magazine.

Variety is the Spice of Fleet

The range of Ford F-650 Super Duty trucks and F-750 pickup trucks are wide-sweeping to meet the needs of many vocational applications. For example, landscaping fleets and delivery services that require a lower frame height might choose the F-650 Pro Loader model with its 33.6-in. chassis height and standard 19.5- in. wheels. GVWR range is 20,500 to 26,000 lbs. Dump truck needs? Ford trucks have you covered. 

The F-650 straight-frame model has a 39.4-in. chassis height and rides on standard 22.5-in. wheels. GVWR range is 25,600 to 29,000 lbs. For maximum payload capability, there’s the F-750 straight-frame model. GVWR is up to 33,000 lbs. with the Class-exclusive 7.3L V-8 gas engine and up to 37,000 lbs. with the Ford-built 6.7L Power Stroke V-8 Turbo Diesel engine.

With GCWRs of 50,000 lbs., F-650 and F-750 tractor models are ideal for beverage delivery or moving fleets.

Looking for engine options and Ford F-650 engine specs? These trucks are powered by a diesel engine with Ford-built TorqShift HD 6-speed automatic transmission. Fleet managers can choose from three power ratings: standard 270 hp/700 lb.-ft. of torque, optional 300 hp/725 lb.-ft. of torque and 330 hp/750 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Ford TorqShift transmission is specially designed for the heavy jobs performed by these big workhorses, with a three-plate/two-stage torque converter, strengthened gearsets, and extra pinion gears.

The transmission has two modes: Progressive Range Select, which limits gears to lock out overdrive, plus full manual control. Tow/Haul minimizes gear hunting on an uphill and prevents upshifting and increases in speed on downhills, reducing the need to rely on brakes to slow the truck.

New for the 2023 model-year, the live-drive power take-off (PTO) provision is standard with the diesel engine and remains optional on the gasoline powertrain. It offers stationary and mobile modes to power hydraulic systems and accessories whenever the engine is running — whether the truck is moving or stopped.

Looking for a truck that can get you longer distances? The Ford F-650 fuel tank capacity on the regular cab is 65-gallons; diesel models can extend their range with the available 115-gallon tank.

“It doesn’t get more Built Ford Tough than our Medium-Duty trucks,” said Mike Pruitt, Ford Pro chief program engineer, commercial vehicles. “We design, engineer, and build them in-house — including our gas and diesel powertrains and TorqShift automatic transmission — to deliver consistent performance and reliability our customers can depend on.”

Getting into the Ford F-650 and F-750 Tech Talk

F-650 and F-750 not only work hard; they also work smart. Their work-ready chassis has numerous “clean” cab-to-axle combinations designed for easy upfitting. The diesel powertrain monitors the diesel particulate filter (DPF) and initiates DPF regeneration when needed, while the Intelligent Oil Life Monitor alerts the driver when an oil change is needed.

Ford’s driver-assist technology package for the F-650 and F-750 includes many features that fleet owners will find helpful.

Standard driver-assist technology in the current model year includes:

• traction control

• auto headlamps and for trucks with hydraulic brakes

• hill start assist.

New for the 2023 model-year, electronic stability control (ESC) is standard. Available package elements include:

• automatic emergency braking

• distance alert

• adaptive cruise control

• lane departure warning

• Driver Alert System

• auto high-beam headlamps.

Like all commercial vehicles from Ford Pro, F-650 and F-750 are equipped with embedded 4G LTE modems that provide Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices to help fleets stay connected.

These modems also enable fleet managers to use free Ford Pro Telematics Essentials to operate more efficiently. Ford Pro Telematics Essentials provides instant odometer readings, diagnostic trouble codes, recall notifications, trackable maintenance alerts, and information around engine hours and oil life. It also relays warning lights so fleet managers can resolve issues faster, improve uptime, and potentially avoid costly repairs. 

Get all of the comfortable and known features of light-duty trucks in your medium-duty powerhouse.  

Upgrading to Ford Pro Telematics adds features like vehicle security, fuel usage, and a mobile app for drivers. Fleets with existing telematics tools can use Ford Pro Data Services to provide access to key data in real time. Ford Pro also can help improve medium-duty truck uptime through an array of service options including a nationwide network of Commercial Vehicle Centers and mobile service that comes to a customer’s location.

Model-year 2023 Ford F-650 and Ford F-750 trucks are currently in production.