The part to understand on a newer Ford is the Battery Monitoring System, a sensor clamped to the negative terminal. It estimates the battery's state of charge and age, then tells the alternator how hard to work. After a new battery goes in, the system should be reset so it stops treating it as the old one. Skip that and the car may charge poorly, switch off start-stop and shut down accessories early to protect itself.
Battery type depends on the model and engine. Versions with Auto Start-Stop, including many EcoBoost cars and recent F-150 trucks, leave the factory with an AGM or EFB battery and should get the same again. Older Explorer, Expedition and Mustang models use a conventional battery. Big V8 trucks need high cranking power, and Dubai owners often add light bars and audio amplifiers on top. A memory saver keeps SYNC settings and the clock in place.