Sponsored

Would you give up your Frunk for more range?

Grumpy2

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 23, 2022
Threads
18
Messages
665
Reaction score
690
Location
Central Oregon Coast
Vehicles
23 F150 Pro SR
Occupation
Retired Hvy Construction
I seems there is significant room in area between the dash and rear of the frunk to replace any frunk volume lost with improvements to the aero. Put that 12v battery somewhere else...
Sponsored

 

B177y

Well-known member
First Name
Bill
Joined
Jul 16, 2024
Threads
3
Messages
112
Reaction score
148
Location
Olympic Peninsula WA
Website
www.ptcoffee.com
Vehicles
2024 Lightning Pro ER Max Tow
Occupation
Coffee Roasting
I'll be the dissenter and say "it depends".

If the range increase was substantial, say another 100 miles, I'd give up the frunk. Whether it was possible from aerodymic redesign or more battery, I'd consider giving it up, but the charging time at DCFC couldn't be any longer than it is now.

Give up the frunk, add 100 miles, same DCFC charge time as current ER battery, and a 6' or 8' bed? Sounds even more reasonable.
 

Albern

Active member
Joined
Jan 28, 2023
Threads
1
Messages
43
Reaction score
46
Location
Second star to the right
Vehicles
2024 Ford F150 Lightning Platinum; 2015 Chevrolet Volt
There will be no need to give up frunk / storage space for more range as battery density is continually increasing year-over-year. What will be required after the ~20 year service-life of the original battery is the facility and service to replace the HV pack with a new one that is of the same space as the original but with higher energy density. If OEMs aren't interested in this area of the automotive value chain, my hope is that battery OEMs and 3rd party service providers will step up.

On the service-side I do see some of this happening already at Tesla, Gruber Motors, etc... EV OEMs are indeed providing 3rd party shop support (software, technical service manuals, parts / components). It's similar to the ICE service model but now EV.

People still have the impression that EVs are not long-lasting nor durable goods and I blame this based on everyone's collective negative experiences with consumer electronics - specifically those with rechargeable batteries.
 

Cvh8601

Active member
Joined
Jun 22, 2024
Threads
3
Messages
40
Reaction score
65
Location
MD
Vehicles
2023 Lightning Lariat
No chance. Use the frunk constantly. 150-180 miles between charges in poor winter conditions is plenty far and longer than children’s patience and bladders can go anyway. 30+ mins at a stop with a family is like the default for a gas stop anyway.
 

Sponsored

Bushwood CC

Member
First Name
Pete
Joined
Nov 17, 2024
Threads
5
Messages
8
Reaction score
16
Vehicles
Ford Lightning Flash
Occupation
teacher
Nope. Love the frunk! I can keep my golf clubs and push cart in there and all my groceries. I also love the reaction from people when I pull my clubs out of the “engine”.
 

rdr854

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2021
Threads
11
Messages
1,177
Reaction score
804
Location
Northern Virginia
Vehicles
22 Ford F150 Lightning Lariat ER 23 Outback, 25 Volvo EX90 Twin Motor Plus
No thanks, I’ll keep my frunk.
ER Range is fine and the frunk is what makes this truck more versatile than a SUV, and the best truck on the road !
Exactly!!!! And this is why I traded in my Suburban.
 

John Becker

Well-known member
First Name
John
Joined
Feb 17, 2023
Threads
11
Messages
243
Reaction score
178
Location
Cincinnati
Vehicles
2023 F150 Light'g Lariat SR, '18 Audi S5 Cabriolet
I only drive locally. So, range is not a factor. The range of my 2023 Lariat SR is far more than I need - even in the winter.
I love my frunk.
 

Sponsored

Wattsgas

Well-known member
First Name
MIke
Joined
Jan 8, 2022
Threads
4
Messages
75
Reaction score
107
Location
Brinnon, WA
Vehicles
22 Lightning Platinum, Ford F250, Rivian R1S
No way. The Frunk is what makes the Lightning good. It is more useful than that 5 1/2 foot bed.

I wouldn't give up the Frunk, but I would be willing to give up on some bed space. Especially if I could loose the extra battery capacity when I didn't need it. The Range fits my needs 99% of the time.
 

Upstate

Member
First Name
Kevin
Joined
Aug 23, 2022
Threads
1
Messages
12
Reaction score
4
Location
NY
Vehicles
F-150 Lightning XLT
No. The frunk is one of the very best (and to me, most unexpectedly so) features of the Lightning. It gets used for shopping, for hiding personal belongings (purses, laptops, etc) and someday it will be the tailgate cooler!

How about giving up a layer of the bed in the rear (as in, raise it by a few more inches and add another layer of batteries!) instead?

I would also have considered a two/three seater with no back seat or one with a bit less room, though that gets used more than expected too.

It will all be unnecessary in the next couple of years as newer generations of batteries will charge more, faster and have greater capacities.
 
 





Top