If you’re even slightly interested in the idea of off-roading, you can’t help but drool over the Ford F-150 Raptor. The beefy Raptor set off a trend of factory-built off-road-ready trucks that are so big and powerful that it’s hard to talk about them without sounding like a carnival barker, ushering enthusiasts in with specially-tuned engines, mean-looking grilles, and an equipment list as long as your arm. But when you get down to the Ford dealer and see the price sticker in the window of a Raptor, you’ll see that all of that rugged capability doesn’t come cheap.
The more affordable F-150 Tremor may not get as much attention as the Raptor, and you’ll probably never hear it called “legendary,” but it’s still a capable off-roader with some impressive stats. It comes standard with a 5.0L V8 that can crank out 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque (though you can up that torque figure to 510 lb-ft and get the same horsepower by upgrading to the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine), front monotube shocks and rear twin-tube shocks that are tuned for heavy off-roading, and tough skid plates that protect the fuel tank, front differential, and transfer case from harm on rocky roads. It can also be had with Ford’s Pro Power OnBoard system, which lets you take electric power with you when you get off the grid. But all of that is old news that applies equally well to the 2023 model. What’s new for 2024?
While the 2024 model doesn’t mark a new generation for the F-150, this truck is getting a refresh across the board. The Tremor, in particular, is reaping the benefits of these upgrades since it’s getting one new available feature exclusive to the Tremor and Raptor trims and another that can’t be had on the Raptor at all. On top of these functional upgrades, there’s also some cool new style. So, let’s dig into the details and see what the Tremor is bringing to the table for the new year…
New Style Touches
Up front, you’ll notice right away that Ford has designed a new grille for several models of the F-150. It’s called a “coast to coast” grille because it stretches all the way from one side of the front end to the other, encompassing the headlights. While several trims use this basic design—each one has its own unique flair—the STX has a more complex geometric pattern than the XL, and the XLT has a chrome accent on either side of the Ford logo.
The Tremor’s exclusive touch is a bright orange feature stretching out from either end of the Ford logo, standing out boldly against the black background. Bright orange and red have come to stand for off-road action in the design language of numerous automakers, so this grille is a signal to others that the Tremor means business.
A new decal on the side of the box marks this truck as a Tremor in no uncertain terms. The Tremor-specific branding continues on the interior, with accent stitching and embroidered headrests, plus Tremor-branded floor mats. On a more practical note, the truck also gets a pair of newly designed running boards that make it easier to get into the cabin, even if you decide to go beyond the factory lift.
Modular Front Bumper
You might not notice the new grille right away if you get distracted by the new modular front bumper, though you won’t find it on every Tremor model. It’s an optional feature available only on Tremor and Raptor trims, and it’s designed to match the aesthetic of these rugged trucks. The bumper sports a tarnished dark anodized and carbon black finish and aggressive styling that has both practical function and attitude.
Since the bumper is modular, it can be used to attach different accessories to the front end of the truck; this should make it easier to install a variety of third-party accessories. Of course, Ford is also making some dealer-installed options available. As of now, they’ve got two—a light bar and a winch kit that includes a 12,000-lb WARN winch and a brush guard. If that doesn’t sound like much, just be patient; Ford has stated that they are “working to offer more accessories in the near future,” so we should see more equipment available down the road.
Pro Access Tailgate
Finally, let’s take a look at the new Pro Access tailgate, a feature that comes standard only on the top-tier King Ranch and Platinum trims but is an optional feature on the Tremor. While a tailgate may seem like a simple design that has always been set in stone, it’s seen a fair amount of innovation over the years. Fold-down steps that help you climb up into the bed have been around for a while now, and as trucks gained more technology, many have introduced power tailgates that can be raised and lowered at the push of a button.
Automakers have also realized that a tailgate is often used as a workspace, so they have incorporated built-in features like rulers, cell phone holders, cup holders, and bottle openers. But in more recent years, we’ve seen automakers take even bigger swings in tailgate design. For example, GM introduced its Multi-Pro tailgate for the 2019 model year; this design features a small “inner gate” built into the larger tailgate, which can be folded up and down independently in order to secure long cargo, act as a higher work surface, or act as a step or footrest.
For the 2024 model year, Ford is introducing its own tailgate innovation. The Pro Access tailgate can still open and close like a traditional tailgate, but it also has a swinging door built into it that can make it easier to access cargo in the bed, both because you won’t have to reach over the folded-down tailgate and because it’s designed to let you in when a trailer is hooked up to the truck since you can come in from the side instead of directly behind it. Since plenty of off-roaders want to take a trailer along for the ride—whether to bring extra gear, a camping trailer, or a boat—this is a particularly helpful feature on the Tremor.
The swinging door has built-in stops to prevent it from smacking into the trailer jack: 37 degrees gives you some access without hitting most trailer jacks, 100 degrees gives you full access to the cargo bed, and 70 degrees gives you an option in the middle. In addition to the swing door, the Pro Access tailgate also features a wider bumper step than the traditional tailgate—and no matter what tailgate you opt for, all Ford trucks are getting a new standard bed storage box for the 2024 model year; this one-gallon space may not fit a whole lot, but it can come in handy for storing jumper cables, chains, tie-down straps, first aid kits, and other necessities in a weather-proof spot that’s easy to reach in an emergency.
The New Tremor Is Ready to Rumble
While the updates to the 2024 Tremor may boil down to three main things, they still add a lot to the truck. The new tailgate seems a bit gimmicky at first glance, but it can make a big difference in getting into the bed while a trailer is hooked up to the truck, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see drivers find other innovative uses for the new feature in the future. The modular bumper up front definitely has a lot of potential since it’s designed to work with a variety of both OEM and third-party accessories. It may not be a Raptor, but the 2024 Tremor is a solid off-roader that has a lot to offer. We’ll continue to keep an eye on it as the F-150 continues to evolve.
