THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE FORD F-SERIES
No matter how acknowledged you are about any vehicle, it's impossible to argue over the Ford F-series, which has been the heavy-duty American champion for decades. Since 1977, Ford has been the top-selling pickup and commercial truck in US and Canada for over 50 years, and still, the Ford Motor Company, with all its delegations, is proudly climbing up the stairs of success.
Are you a Ford enthusiast and curious about the history of the Ford F-series? We’ve got you covered with tons of information about the best-selling pickup trucks. It's time to take a look at the history of the Ford F series, the revolutionary trucks for 44 years!
1st Generation (1948-1952)
This generation was unveiled in 1948. It was also recognized as a Ford bonus-built vehicle. The trucks of that time resembled a lot of post-war vehicles. Ford Henry started producing these vehicles to make driving easier and more comfortable. The all-new Ford F-series included an armrest, boot box, right rear sun visor (which was a novelty at the time), windscreen wiper for the passenger and the driver, and a backup camera, stainless steel trim, two horns, and the most comfortable seats.
In the first production of it, however, there were eight substructures, ranging from F-1 to F-8. All these first-generation models are slightly different based on the gross vehicle weight rating. Nevertheless, the F-One was the most widely loved model in the first generation, with a 6 12.1 front, 45 square-foot of luggage space, and a 289 cm chassis, followed by the F-editions, which had eight footbeds and 122-inch wheels.
In 1948-1952, the F-1 trucks gained a great deal of popularity because they provided tons of facilities for customers. However, when the Ford F-series' second generation began to captivate consumers, they discontinued production.
2nd Generation (1953-1956)
This generation was introduced in 1953. It has previously been the most popular truck. The 2nd iteration of the F-series featured larger proportions, stronger engines and transmissions, and a rebuilt chassis. This generation has a wide variety of vehicles ranging from light-duty pickup trucks to heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
That 2nd-gen Ford series is still in use due to its modern look and fascinating front end. The most remembered part of the 2nd generation Ford model was the replacement of the flathead engine with an overhead valve Y-block V8 engine, often known as power king. A comfortable seat (adjustable for three people) accompanied this generation, as well as power brakes and a brand new Ford O-Matic automatic transmission. Seat belts were a new option in this model.
Like the 1st generation of Ford trucks, the production of the 2nd generation ended when the third generation of Ford pickup trucks started captivating vehicle lovers' attention.
3rd Generation (1957-1960)
These 3rd-gen trucks began production in 1957. That pickup truck is still considered the most stylish truck of all time. Ford designed its next-generation trucks with a stylish updated front part, a clamshell hood, and a wide body. That euphoric design was used for two decades in the F-series trucks. However, Ford also integrated two pick-up boxes into his trucks: flareside and styleside.
However, in 1958, Ford updated its grill, and quad headlights replaced the dual headlights. And in 1959, Ford underwent a revolutionary change as it started producing four-wheel-drive trucks.
4th Generation (1961-1966)
This generation was a pickup and a commercial truck combination from 1961 to 1966. A brand-new engine, increased dimensions, and a redesigned gearbox were among the new features of Ford's 4th-generation model. Ford introduced a unitary cab from 1960 to 1962, consisting of a cabin and a flatbed in contiguous parts with no spaces between them. The unibody truck was halted when rumor spread that its doors were sticking from overburden.
The F-series introduced a new frame in 1964, which was used until 1979. Throughout 1965 and 1966, the body stayed forerunner, except for the hazard lights being relocated above the headlamps. A brand new individualistic I-beam suspension with helical strings replaced the straight-axle front suspension on two-wheel-drive trucks.
5th Generation (1967-1972)
This production year had some appealing and stylish features compared to the fourth generation. They were also a blend of pick and industrial trucks that debuted from 1967 to 1972. This generation had modern styling lines, a wide cab, a larger greenhouse, and new and improved engines. On the fifth-generation at that time, there were three types of trim. "Basic" was replaced by "Custom" and "Custom Cab" by "Sport Custom" as optional equipment and trim levels. The fifth generation has heavier duty F-500 trucks as well. For the 5th-generation of trucks, the four-door option cab became the most popular. 6th Generation (1973-1979) This generation's medium and pickup trucks were introduced in 1973 and continued until 1979; they were known as "Dentside Ford." The design of this sixth-generation truck was ultramodern. In 1974, a super cab was introduced, which was surrounded by two regular cabs and the four-door crew truck. A powerful payload version of F-100, named F-150, was launched in 1975, and it became the most famous version of the model line. Two years before 1979, this generation of trucks became the most popular trucks in the USA.
This series was substantially modernized and refined in terms of sharing the same architecture as the 4th generation of 1965. These included front disc brakes, increased cabin proportions, double walls in the berth, and a higher proportion of galvanized steel.
7th Generation (1980-1986)
Ford Motor Company manufactured its 7th generation models from 1980 until 1986. The design language of this generation was marked by many firsts, including the debut of the Ford emblem, a diesel engine, and a dashboard with numerous indicators. This final construction of the Ford series was built with a bed of flared sides, back-end buffers, tail lamp, steel sides, and lineous boxes. On the surface, they were so much more square, but perhaps more significantly, the framework was for the first 10 years of development.
This generation has two variants known as Medium-duty F-series and Ford Boronco. Medium-duty vehicles include the broad range of commercial trucks, and sports utility vehicles manufactured by Ford. This generation of Ford was replaced by standard production.
8th Generation (1987-1991)
The 8th-generation Ford F-series was introduced between 1987 and 1991. It was the revised edition of the seventh generation (1980-1986). The updated cabs were highly modern, with an updated and stylish front part and an entire change in interior design. This generation replaced the flareside beds present in the previous generation with contemporary styleside beds between 1987 and 1991. The exterior parts were stylized with modern headlamps and circular fenders, and the rear antilock brakes were updated in the 8th generation truck.
This generation's 1989 model (C6-e speed automatic) was replaced with a base automatic transmission. F-series’s 4.9L inline conventional engine was upgraded to fuel injection in 1987. In 1988, the Ford F-150 of the Ford series conquered the vehicle arena and became the most popular and most sold pickup truck in the country.
9th Generation (1992-1997)
Ford debuted its next-generation trucks from 1992-1997 as the revised and redesigned version of the 1980s Ford trucks. There are a wide variety of trucks featured here, ranging from a halftone of the F-150 panel van to a moderate F-800 truck and trailer.
There were distinctive features of the 9th-generation, such as the hood lines, the front fenders, and the bright headlights. The interior was upgraded with the latest and most stylish dashboard of that time with comfortable seats, large-sized windows, side airbags, and a chlorofluorocarbon-free air conditioner.
However, remote alarm entry, a stereo system, a power driver's seat, and an inside rearview mirror were the most modern features of the 90s. The Ford 9th-generation pickup trucks were produced from 1994 to 1995 with all elements included.
10th Generation (1997-2004)
This generation was indeed the marked transformation of F-series heavy goods vehicles. A combination of euphoric and charismatic designs and colors characterized this generation. A brand-new chassis, a fascinating body, an updated engine, and rear doors were the 10th-generation's distinct features. In 1997, the Ford Wrangler was replaced by the five-gateway Ford Voyage, and Lincoln-Mercury debuted the L Limousine in 1998, with the Ford F-150 serving once again as the foundation for Ford comprehensive SUVs.
The model line was assembled at various Ford sites across the country, Canada, and Mexico throughout its production; following its changeover in 2004, this generation was marketed as the Ford Lobo in Mexican between 2004 and 2010.
11th Generation (2004-2008)
Ford Motor Company developed its 10th-generation F-series trucks when Ford was blindly climbing up the stairs of success. This edition consisted of light-duty pickup trucks manufactured from 2004 to 2008. However, large-duty heavy trucks typically incorporate these features and designs, including a stepped front door, triple bar grille, and extended width mirrors. However, this generation is also known as the last version of the Ford truck series, with a bed with flared sides.
This generation of Ford F-150, which was introduced in 2008, received a 5-star safety rating from the United States National Highway Traffic Administration and was ranked among the top models in the US.
12th Generation (2009-2014)
For 2009, light-duty pickup trucks have dominated this generation. Instead of four, it included a separate body, styled grilles, headlamps, and standard two doors. The Ford Motor Company released their F-150 SVT Raptor in 2010, which was the road champion heavy-duty truck with amazing modifications in chassis, engines, and body. The F-150 is equipped with side airbags, a system of extra insulation in the 1st and 2nd rows, and electronic stability control to protect the driver.
13th Generation (2015-2020)
In the Ford truck series of this generation, aluminum-intensive vehicles were produced in large quantities by a US vehicle manufacturer company. This made this generation of vehicles popular. Several distinct designs and safety features have been integrated with this generation, such as an all-around camera, autopilot, oblivious tracking, automatic braking, etc. However, several design improvements from previous F-Series styles were introduced with the 2015 F-150. The rectangular grille was transmogrified into a trapezoidal shape, swarmed by C-shaped high beam units, while the cab design remained unchanged.
14th Generation (2021-present)
This generation partially resembled the previous year's models. It was launched online through a live-streamed presentation on June 25, 2020. The 3.3 cubic decimeter V6 engine, 2700 milliliter as well as 3500 ml Roadster twin charger V6, 5.0 cubic decimeter V8 engine, and 3.0-liter diesel V6 locomotives are all carried over from the preceding version.
Ford also crafted an electrically operated version of the F-150 and named it F-150 lightning. 14th generation is now an add-on to the industry’s fully-electric trucks after it underwent several design changes. F-150 Lightning will have a dual motor. It was launched at the start of 2021 and is expected to be available publicly in 2022.
Wrapping Up
For 44 consecutive years, Ford F-Series trucks have been most-wanted trucks in the USA thanks to selling for nearly seven hundred eighty-seven thousand four hundred twenty-two in 2020. However, its irresistible designs, storage capacity, and modern engines have also made it famous throughout the globe.
Almost all of Ford's F-series peer groups have been deployed and are used by American and other prominent countries' police forces. Usually, police use them for patrolling off-road areas such as mountain peaks, woodlands, flooded streets, and sandbanks, which are difficult to reach with a conventional car.
