Produced for more than five decades, the Ford F-Series is a very popular line of full size pickup trucks produced and sold by the Ford Motor Company. The most popular of the F-Series is the F-150 but it is by no means the only model. The F-150 has been the best selling vehicle in the world for 23 years an the best selling truck in the United States for a remarkable 28 years. The F-Series has an outstanding track record and is one of the most recognizable pickup trucks on the road. The F-Series is thought to make up at least half of the Ford Motor Company profit in recent years.
The First Generation
The first F-Series Ford truck was introduced in 1948 and was meant to replace the previous line of pickups. The F-series was more modern looking as it had a one piece windshield and integrated headlights, which its predecessor did not have. The first generation of F-Series was available in three models which were the F-1 half ton, the F-2 a three quarter tone, and an F-3 the Heavy Duty. The engines were a 3.7 liter straight six, a 3.9 liter Flathead V8, and a 3.5 liter straight six.
The Second Generation
For the second generation, the Ford F-series was redesigned and in 1953 it sported a more integrated look. Ford also gave the trucks more familiar names which were the F-100, the F-250, and the F-350. This second generation had some great features such as an interior dome light, a lighter, arm rests, as well as sun visors. The engines used during this time were a 3.9 liter Flathead V8, a 3.5 liter straight six, 3.7 liter straight six, and a Y-blcok V8.
The Third Generation
The third generation of the F-Series saw another restyling and began in 1957. This generation saw the hood merging with the fenders of the truck. The back fender was now called a flareside and the smooth side was labeled the styleside. Four wheel drive was made a common feature during this generation starting in 1959. Engines used during this F-Series generation were the 3.7 liter straight six, 4.5 liter Y-block V8, and the 4.8 liter Y-block V8.
The Fourth Generation
The F-Series was again restyled for the fourth generation which began in 1961. This fourth generation had a much wider look and an integrated cab and box. Power in this fourth generation was over 200 horsepower after a refreshed powertrain in 1965. Engines used for this fourth generation were a 3.7 liter straight six, a 4.8 liter Y-block V8, a 3.0 liter straight six, a 4.9 liter straight six, and a 5.8 liter FE V8.
The Fifth Generation
The fifth generation began in 1967 when the F-Series was again updated. Ford also added the well known Ranger trim line. Front leaf springs were replaced by coil springs in the F-100's in 1968 in addition to an updated powertrain. Ford also introduced a four door crew cab in 1969, which remains a popular option today. The top trim line was named the Ranger XLT in 1970. The engines used during this generation were the 3.9 liter straight six, 4.9 liter straight six, 5.8 liter FE V8, 5.9 liter FE V8, 6.4 liter FE V8, and a 4.9 liter Windsor V8.
The Sixth Generation
The F-Series was again redesigned in 1973 and given an automantic transmission. Other changes for the sixth generation were the Twin I-Beam suspension as well as the introducton of the extended super cab variant. In 1978 the Lariat trim was introduced and that was the same year that the F-Series became the best selling vehicle in America. The engines used for the sixth generation were the 3.9 liter straight six, 4.9 liter straight six, 5.8 liter FE V8, 5.9 liter FE V8, 6.4 liter FE V8, 4.9 liter Windsor V8, 7.5 liter 385 V8, 5.8 liter Cleveland V8, 6.6 liter Cleveland V8, and the 4.9 liter straight six.
The Seventh Generation
The seventh generation of the F-Series ran from 1980 until 1986. This generation had a more square look, sharp lines, and flat panels. Finally, in 1982 the Ranger trim line was dropped and the Ford Ranger became a compact pickup. New trim levels were the XL, the XLT, and the XLT Lariat. In 1985 fuel injection became optional for the 5.0 liter engine. Ford also offered a diesel engine during this generation.
The Eighth Generation
The eight generation of the F-Series was a more streamlined generation than the square and angular seventh generation. Rear antilock brakes were made standard for the F-Series during this time and Ford was the first to do this with a pickup truck. The manual transmission now was a five speed and 1988 was notable because it was the first year tha tno carbureted engines were offered with the F-series.
The Ninth Generation
The ninth generation of the F-series was produced from 1992 until 1996 and provided a more curvy look than previous generations. The flareside returned for the 1996 model, and an airbag was first added to the F-Series in 1994. The ninth generation also offered the new, more luxurious Eddie Bauer trim line. The F-Series sold more than 500,000 models during the Ninth generation.
The Tenth Generation
Ford introduced the tenth generation for the 1997 model year. The updated F-Series was very rounded, most noticable in the nose of the vehicle. An F-250 was offered during this generation as the Super Duty did not yet come into the Ford lineup. A variety of body options were available to consumers such as the regular cab, SuperCab, standard or flareside boxes, short beds, and long beds. In 2001 the somewhat popular SuperCrew cab was introduced. Outstanding sales continued, in the way of numbers, but there is no doubt that the new Dodge trucks stole many of Fords sales from them. The engines for this generation ranged from powerful V8 engines to a couple V10 varieties.
The Eleventh Generation
Starting in 2004 the F-Series was based on the new P2 platform and looked different than it had in previous generations. When first introduced, the F-Series was only offered with either 4.6 liter Triton engines or a new 3 valve 3.4 liter 3V Triton V8 both with automatic transmission. The eleveneth generation of the F-Series continues today and the 2006 and 2007 models will likely bring about some great changes such as a Harley Davidson trim line.
