It is not Ranchero. It is Ford Fathom™. $28,350 Starting Price

[Kamuelaflyer]

not have been mentioned in this latest press release, but Jim Farley said it was RWD back in Sept 2025, and then Doug Field clarified in January 2026 that it would be RWD and AWD.

Until it shows up in the official specs, it’s not official. Things change. Mr. Farley and Mr Field both shoot from the hip based upon current information at that time. It was also said that you’d be able to lock a surfboard in the back. The shortest shortboards are 6 ft long. Doing so in this truck is going to heavily depend on two things: the Pythagorean Theorem and the rear wheel well geometry, even then it will be an extremely tight fit. Executive statements don’t make it so until it’s on the spec sheet. It isn’t, yet.

But i still wouldn’t bank on standard FWD for the base model. It just hasn't been ruled out yet.

 

[metroshot]

Until it shows up in the official specs, it’s not official. Things change. Mr. Farley and Mr Field both shoot from the hip based upon current information at that time. It was also said that you’d be able to lock a surfboard in the back. The shortest shortboards are 6 ft long. Doing so in this truck is going to heavily depend on two things: the Pythagorean Theorem and the rear wheel well geometry, even then it will be an extremely tight fit. Executive statements don’t make it so until it’s on the spec sheet. It isn’t, yet.

But i still wouldn’t bank on standard FWD for the base model. It just hasn't been ruled out yet.

Agree!

For a sub $30K truck, I'd say it's easier to have customers buy an accessory lock down kit for surfboards.

It's not possible for a midgate in a such a low cost EV.

 

[jj1765]

Agree!

For a sub $30K truck, I'd say it's easier to have customers buy an accessory lock down kit for surfboards.

It's not possible for a midgate in a such a low cost EV.

White the base trim may be under 30k, the sky is the limit for how far up they might go. Bronco trims run from 40k to 80k.

If the makers of that flip book video were vaguely held to the capabilities of the truck and reality of surfboards, the surfboards were absolutely lying down flat with tailgate up. They have doubled down on the concept in the video that they present as having some "teases" in it, and that's about the only thing other than the bed power outlets that really feature that wasn't outright announced.

Low range, low frills, RWD truck without midgate under 30k, but extended battery, awd, and midgate in some trim of unspecified higher price.

 

[Snakebitten]

There's a few features that could be argued wouldn't be in a base model EV for $29k.

It's an impressive feat for an American made EV truck.

I'm not sure the mid-gate isn't going to be native to the truck. It'll be cool if it is!

 

[Tdubz]

Until it shows up in the official specs, it’s not official. Things change. Mr. Farley and Mr Field both shoot from the hip based upon current information at that time. It was also said that you’d be able to lock a surfboard in the back. The shortest shortboards are 6 ft long. Doing so in this truck is going to heavily depend on two things: the Pythagorean Theorem and the rear wheel well geometry, even then it will be an extremely tight fit. Executive statements don’t make it so until it’s on the spec sheet. It isn’t, yet.

But i still wouldn’t bank on standard FWD for the base model. It just hasn't been ruled out yet.

It might not be official, but it’s definitely been confirmed, which was the original wording. I’ll choose to believe the CEO and the guy who oversaw the development of the Fathom and ran the entire Skunkworks .

Agree!

For a sub $30K truck, I'd say it's easier to have customers buy an accessory lock down kit for surfboards.

It's not possible for a midgate in a such a low cost EV.

Now, nothing about the midgate has been confirmed, but there have been mentions of it from various “insiders” as well as patent drawings. Insiders can be wrong and patents don’t always make it to production, but I think where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Here’s one of the patent drawings showing a truck with a very similar shape to the Fathom, and notice those surfboards showing up again .

I personally agree that the midgate is not needed and only increases the price without providing much value. You might have a few people who use it a lot, but the vast majority of people aren’t. If I’m carrying a surfboard, it’s much faster to throw it in the bed and rest it on the tailgate than having to open up the midgate.

Since I mentioned patent drawings, might as well throw this one out there too. This may or may not be the Fathom interior. It does line up nicely to some of the spy shots and images ford has released.

Low range, low frills, RWD truck without midgate under 30k, but extended battery, awd, and midgate in some trim of unspecified higher price.

You may be right. I believe Chevrolet does this on their Silverado EV, but I’m thinking the midgate gate will be standard. Ford has been trying to simplify the assembly process with the fathom. Having an optional midgate seems like it would go against that.

 

[Snakebitten]

I have a Sierra Denali EV
The mid-gate is automatically equipped in certain trim levels, as I understand it.

If you ever find yourself needing that extended bed length, it's worth whatever it cost to put it in!

Since it's an EV, you can put a tonneau cover, or a camper shell, drop the mid-gate, and leave the vehicle running indefinitely. Makes for a heck of a convenient beach camping bedroom at night.

 

[OneMore]

I am willing to pay up to $1,500 for the mid gate.
It would ad versatility to the truck.
Any type of sun roof, I have no need or interest.

 

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

I think the idea of a ~200 mile standard range makes sense. The Fathom will be more aero than the Slate, but was projected to have a smaller (51kw?) battery, compared to Slate’s 63kw. Weight matters more than aero until highway speeds, so both of these smaller trucks should be efficient in town. I believe Slate is projected to have about 3.25 mi/kwh, overall. I fully expect the Fathom to have a better EPA rating because of its highway aero. My bottom-line is that I’m trying to minimize my recharge from my off-grid BESS (Big F to my data-center loving electric company). A longer range battery increases that expense too much, besides I can’t check my forum updates while I’m driving, so I like more frequent stops on roadtrips.