Today’s review is part two of a special four-part series where I reflect on the vehicles that belonged to my dad. He passed away two years ago, and each one of these vehicles holds deep sentimental value for me and my family.
This one was his work truck. A 2019 Ford F-250 Lariat. It sat still for two years, gathering dust and holding memories. No one wanted to touch it for a while, but I felt like it was time. So I brought it home, cleaned it up, and spent a couple of weeks getting reacquainted with it. After some real time behind the wheel, I understand exactly why this truck meant so much to my dad.
As soon as I started driving it, I was flooded with memories. My dad was known for driving big black Ford trucks. This was the last one he ever owned, and it carries that legacy in a powerful way. The styling is unique, just like he was. The truck sits on 20-inch Fuel wheels, has a ReadyLift leveling kit up front, chrome dual exhaust tips, and a hard tonneau cover in the back. The SuperCab proportions give it an old school truck feel that gets a lot of attention, especially from folks in their fifties or older. That feels fitting, because my dad would have loved that.
The driving experience is nothing like an F-150. This F-250 feels heavy and solid, like it was built to pull buildings. The 37-inch Nitto Terra Grapplers add to the presence but surprisingly do not ruin the ride. Sound deadening in the cabin is excellent. Even on aggressive tires, it is quiet enough to have normal conversations without yelling. The heavy duty suspension makes itself known, but that is exactly what this truck was made for.
This Lariat is a two-tone model, with Agate Black up top and what I believe is Sandstone Gray on the bottom. It looks brown in some light, but both colors have a lot of metallic flake and shine beautifully when cleaned up. If it were mine, I might wrap the chrome bumpers to match the paint. A little less chrome would modernize the look without taking away its character.
The interior is surprisingly upscale for a work truck. Dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated seats, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and Apple CarPlay all come standard. The column shifter opens up the center console for more storage and four up-front cupholders. That layout grew on me quickly. When I got my F-150, I thought I wanted the console shifter. But this setup just feels more like a real truck. More functional. More familiar.
Now, some drawbacks. First, the fuel economy is rough. Around town I’m getting about nine miles per gallon. I get it, the truck is on big tires and the speedometer is likely off, but nine is still tough to see. Then there are the halogen headlights. I do not understand why Ford continued using them. Even with all six front lights turned on, visibility at night is bad. That is a safety issue, not just a nitpick.
Back seat space in the SuperCab is also limited. My 8-year-old daughter fits back there just fine, but my 15-year-old son needs the front seat moved up to sit comfortably. For family trips, a Crew Cab would be a much better fit.
But all of that feels minor in the grand scheme of things. This is an F-250. You do not buy it for efficiency or second row luxury. You buy it because it is one of the biggest, most capable trucks on the road. And for what it was designed to do, it does it well.
On the flip side, there are plenty of things I love about this truck. It was my dad’s. That alone makes it meaningful. When I sit in it, I picture him on job sites, hauling doors, smoking cigarettes, and calling out orders to his crew. It is a work truck, but it is also a memory. One that feels alive when I am behind the wheel.
The six-speed transmission is smooth and reliable, which I prefer over the ten-speed in my F-150. The V8 engine sounds perfect with the dual chrome exhaust out back. The two-tone interior is also well done. Beige and black are balanced throughout the cabin in a way that makes the space feel considered, not dated. It is dad mode, but it is done right.
That wraps up this chapter of TSTDRVR. I hope this video helped you see not just a truck, but the person behind it. My dad meant a lot to me, and so does this vehicle. If you enjoyed the review, please take a moment to like the video and subscribe to the channel. I have a lot more coming, and I hope this is just the beginning.
Thank you for reading. See you next time.
