Ford accomplished this by adding heft and boldness to the grille; the company's stylists describe it as a billet-look, as if the grille were lasered from a block of metal and then bolted to the front clip. The lower front fascia is beefier, too, adding to the impression of mass in motion.
Otherwise, the styling of the 2005 models doesn't differ much from the 2004s. The cab's dropped sill line gives it a sense of openness and accessibility. It also makes climbing in easier, a welcome feature when juggling tools, briefcases, or even toddlers. A distinctive dip along the front door side glass improves the driver's view of the exterior mirrors, a big help when towing a trailer or for seeing around cargo boxes or dump-truck bodies. A locking tailgate is standard.
King Ranch Crew Cabs are dressed up with body-color mirror housings and door handles and distinctive two-tone paint selections, lighted running boards and special King Ranch aluminum wheels. The Harley-Davidson specials sport a unique, tautly meshed grille; color choices consist of black, black and orange, and black and gray; factory-applied flame graphics are a new option ($675).
The tow hitch receiver has been increased from 2 inches to 2 1/2 inches for increased towing capacity.
