Ford’s F-Series Pickup Truck History, from the Model TT to Today

The Mannequin TT truck launches in July 1917, 9 years after the Mannequin T places America on wheels. It combines the T’s cab and engine with a sturdier body. It has a one-ton payload and accommodates quite a few third-party pickup-bed configurations. Ford sells 2019 models within the model’s first yr, charging prospects $600 apiece. A model of the Mannequin T with a pickup physique joins the TT in 1925, marking the daybreak of the factory-assembled Ford pickup truck. In 1928, little greater than a decade after the truck’s debut, Ford put 1.3 million prospects into Mannequin TT vans. The Mannequin AA and BB vans that comply with proceed on the same path of success.

Ford’s Mannequin 50 pickup shares lots of the styling updates of the model’s 1935 passenger-car lineup. Ford’s legendary flathead V-8 completely powers the Mannequin 50. Manufacturing of the profitable model involves a halt in 1941, when Ford shifts its appreciable manufacturing would possibly to learn the struggle effort. By this time, Ford has produced greater than 4 million vans.

With the aftermath of World Warfare II winding down, Ford begins engaged on its subsequent era of shopper vans. (These will come to be often known as the F-Collection Bonus Constructed vans.) Ranging in dimension and functionality from the half-ton F-1 pickup to the cab-over F-8, the lineup marks the start of Ford’s complete truck-lineup technique.

The second era of the F-series marks the arrival of the now traditional classic F-series visage. The earlier F-1 turns into the F-100, whereas Ford folds the F-2 and F-3 vans into the F-250 line. Lastly, the F-4 turns into the F-350. Heavier-duty fashions are spun off into Ford’s newly created commercial-truck division. Creature comforts similar to armrests, solar visors, a dome mild, and an non-obligatory automated transmission start to sprout, and an OHV V-8 replaces the storied flathead V-8 in 1954.

The 1957 redesign brings main modifications to the F-series’ exterior. The brand new truck adopts the primary hints of the broader, squared-off styling cues that may outline it within the a long time to come back.

4-wheel drive turns into a manufacturing facility possibility in 1959.

Though the fourth-generation truck makes its debut in 1961 with a conventional solid-axle suspension, it will definitely receives Ford’s vaunted twin-I-beam setup in 1965. Accessible on two-wheel-drive fashions, the novel suspension design is hyped immediately at noncommercial truck customers with the slogan “Drives like a automotive, works like a truck.” Though the twin-I-beam suspension is efficient and saved in use for many years to come back, some homeowners complain about will increase in tire put on because of camber variations which are inherent to the suspension design. The primary factory-built four-door crew cab seems in 1965 in F-250 trim and is bought as a particular order. The highest-level Ranger seems in 1966, providing carpeting, energy brakes, energy steering, and air-con.

Displaying the primary inklings of the design cues that may stay with the F-series for the following decade or two, the fifth-generation F-150 options FORD spelled out in block letters on the hood, a grille sporting built-in headlamps, and a cab with almost 4 extra inches of shoulder room.

Though it seems to be almost equivalent to the previous-generation F-series, the sixth-gen truck wears a redesigned grille, options parking lamps located above the headlamps, and sports activities a concave body-length groove that homes the side-marker lamps. The Membership Cab arrives in 1974, providing both a pair of center-facing leap seats or a small bench seat with a foldable backside cushion. The F-150 seems for the primary time in 1975. Despite the fact that it quickly surpasses the F-100 in recognition, the F-100 stays on the order books till 1983. Rectangular headlights are provided on higher trim ranges in 1978 and change into commonplace in 1979.

Ford payments its seventh-generar F-series as “the primary new truck of the Eighties,” and designs it with a concentrate on aerodynamics and plush inside trappings. Whereas Ford sells 173,050 F-150s in 1980, the bottom F-100 nonetheless manages to search out 133,590 consumers. Of these, 73 p.c follow Ford’s trusted 300-cubic-inch inline-six engine with a one-barrel carburetor, which makes 117 horsepower and 223 pound-feet of torque. The F-150 supersedes the F-100 as the bottom F-series on the finish of the 1983 model yr.

Marking the fiftieth anniversary of the F-150, the 1987 model sports activities a light refresh that comes with a brand new flat grille, flush headlamps, and rounded wheel arches. Energy steering, energy brakes, and rear anti-lock braking at the moment are commonplace tools. The bottom 300-cubic-inch six-cylinder receives gas injection, elevating its output to 145 horsepower and a hearty 265 pound-feet of torque, simply 5 pound-feet shy of the 5.0-liter V-8.

Ford seems to be so as to add just a little zip to the F-series lineup and releases the Nite Version for the 1991 model yr. Accessible strictly with common cab, all 1991 F-150 Nite Editions begin life as four-wheel drive XLT Lariats however put on black paint and blacked-out trim. The 5.0-liter V-8 is commonplace, whereas Ford’s 351 Windsor is optionally accessible.

A softer, extra aerodynamic-appearing fascia and hood spotlight the F-series’ 1992 redesign. The Nite Version returns for yet one more yr, and in 1995 the F-series surpasses the Volkswagen Beetle because the world’s best-selling car, though the Beetle retains the title for passenger vehicles.

Ford swings for the fences with the 1993 F-150 SVT Lightning. The game truck is offered solely in a single-cab short-box configuration in both black or crimson. It depends on a beefed-up model of the company 5.8-liter (351 cubic-inch) V-8 engine producing 240 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque.

The Tenth-generation F-150 represents the breed’s most dramatic redesign in over a decade. It additionally stands as a totem to the second Ford decides to actively market the F-150 to extra informal customers, leaving the F-250 and F-350 Tremendous Obligation fashions for industrial customers and heavy haulers. Sleeker and extra aerodynamic, the brand new F-150 makes use of a brand new, lighter chassis that ditches Ford’s vaunted twin-I-beam entrance suspension in favor of a torsion-bar setup.

Though the SVT Lightning returns for the 1999 model yr, it actually makes its bones in 2001. Providing 380 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of twist, it’s the strongest manufacturing passenger car bought in america (on the time). C/D testing reveals the Lightning can attain 60 mph in 5.2 seconds on its method to a 142-mph high velocity, making it one of many quickest vans we have ever examined. The truck begins at $32,460.

Bigger than the earlier model, the Eleventh-generation Ford F-Collection that arrives for 2004 contains a redesign that focuses much more on consolation and user-friendliness. That includes bigger common and prolonged cab choices with extra storage and passenger house, the brand new truck displays the rising variety of consumers who use pickups as a major car. Customers reply in sort, driving annual F-series pickup gross sales, together with Tremendous Obligation variations, to an all-time excessive of 939,511 models.

For the 2009 F-150, Ford cribs liberally from its Tremendous Obligation brethren. The Tremendous Obligation, new the yr earlier than, proves common, so Ford offers the F-150 just a little familial resemblance to enhance its showroom enchantment. With a extra outstanding grille, aggressive headlamps, and squared-off styling, the Twelfth-generation F-150 strikes additional afield from its rounded, aerodynamically styled predecessors. The truck additionally will get the good thing about a brand new, absolutely boxed body for improved torsional rigidity. Engines are up to date throughout the board. In 2011, Ford debuts a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 for the truck. The Platinum trim degree additionally makes its entrance, reaching for luxurious truck prospects with an unique grille, 20-inch chrome wheels, premium leather-based upholstery, and heated and ventilated seats.

The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor places all the truck world on discover. Not like earlier SVT initiatives, the Raptor’s major magic lies not beneath the hood however in its rugged, off-road-ready long-travel suspension. Consisting of beefy cast-aluminum decrease management arms up entrance and Fox Shox Racing dampers in any respect 4 corners, the suspension boasts 11.2 inches of journey in entrance and 12.1 within the rear—inventory, proper off the showroom ground. Early variations ship with a 320-hp model of Ford’s SOHC 5.4-liter V-8. A way more applicable 411-hp 6.2-liter V-8 powers later Raptors.

Marking the top of the road for special-edition F-150s earlier than the arrival of a brand new, aluminum-bodied 2015 model, the 2014 Tremor depends on Ford’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 for motivation (and enchantment) reasonably than a conventional V-8. The truck is actually a regular-cab F-150 with a graphics package deal and a 4.10:1 electronically locking rear differential, and it bears a hazily nostalgic connection to sport vans passed by. Consumers can select rear- or four-wheel-drive, however both means, they get a set of 20-inch wheels with 275/55 Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires. In our testing, the Tremor pulled a decent 0.75 g of lateral grip on the skidpad, however its 6.0-second trot to 60 mph time merely fell in step with the remainder of the twin-turbo V-6 F-150 lineup.

The 2015 Ford F-150 wears a principally aluminum physique atop a conventional metal body. The brand new physique is lighter and extra rust-resistant than earlier than. The Eleventh-generation F-150 is the primary pickup to earn a five-star NHTSA security score. And, sure, the F-series—together with the Tremendous Obligation—stays the top-selling car within the U.S., beer-can-body jokes apart.

The unique F-150 Raptor proves a troublesome act to comply with, however Ford deftly navigates the strain and crushes it with the Raptor 2.0. Powered by a 510-hp twin-turbo V-6, the brand new off-road-oriented F-150 leaps from the meeting line proper into our hearts—or off the closest dune (as you see right here). Extra than simply an off-road animal, it proves to be a totally functioning day by day driver and beautifully dependable throughout its 40,000 miles as a C/D long-term tester.

Ford rolls out a number of beauty tweaks for the 2018 F-150 together with some new wheel designs, however the actual information is hiding beneath the hood: a brand new direct-injected 3.3-liter V-6 replaces the ageing 3.5-liter V-6 because the truck’s base engine. Plus, after years of rumor and hypothesis, the F-150 receives its first half-ton diesel possibility. Primarily based on the Lion turbo-diesel 3.0-liter V-6, the engine contains a host of upgrades that goal to optimize it for home truck obligation.

One of the best-selling car within the U.S. is acquainted in model however wears a contemporary face. Probably the most notable modifications to the 2021 Ford F-150 are inside. The brand new F-150 joins the Ram 1500 within the 12.0-inch touchscreen membership, but it surely additionally provides options similar to a stowable gear selector to show the middle console into a pc desk. 5 engine choices carry over from the 2020 model, together with a 5.0-liter V-8 and 4 V-6s: two twin-turbo engines displacing 2.7 and three.5 liters, a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel, and a naturally aspirated 3.3-liter.

A hybrid powertrain with an electrical motor sandwiched between a V-6 and a 10-speed auto joins the F-150 lineup. Hybrid fashions use the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and are available commonplace with rear-wheel drive however are additionally accessible with four-wheel-drive.

The F-150 goes electrical! Ford places its most superior expertise into its first all-electric pickup—one which, on the skin, seems to be principally like the present fourteenth-generation F-150. The Lightning is bought as an all-wheel drive crew-cab model solely, and because of its decrease heart of gravity and heavy curb weight, drives like no different F-150 earlier than it.

The Raptor returns! As soon as once more, the model depends on a 450-hp twin-turbo V-6 for motivation; nevertheless, this modifications for 2023 with the addition of the Ford F-150 Raptor R, which packs a burly 700-hp 5.2-liter supercharged V-8 beneath its hood and subsequently places the 702-hp Ram 1500 TRX on discover.