Utility

Unlike the poorly conceived and configured Blackwood, the new 2006 Lincoln Mark LT is ready to roll up its sleeves, if you want it to. Beyond the availability of four-wheel drive, a key difference between the Mark LT and the Blackwood is in the cargo box.

The Blackwood came equipped with a fixed, swing-up hard tonneau, fitted over a plush, finished pickup bed that was really more of a luxury sedan’s trunk. This design virtually ruled out large loads and discouraged dirty ones. In contrast, the Mark LT has no such limitations. Maximum payload is 1,620 lbs., and the standard, metal bed measures 5.5 feet long, 65.2 inches wide, and 22.2 inches high. There’s 50 inches of width available between the wheel wells, so a standard, four-foot wide sheet of plywood will slide in between.

A standard, metal bed extender swings out over the opened tailgate to accommodate longer loads. Tie-downs are positioned low at the four corners of the box, though having a few mounted higher would’ve been useful. As with the F-150, Ford’s Tailgate Assist feature makes it easy to swing the gate shut, even with one arm full.

Towing capacity for the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT is 8,900 lbs., enough to handle anything from a horse trailer to a decent-sized boat.

Photos: © Dan Lyons 2005