F-series History

History of the Ford F-Series Trucks

The Ford F-Series pickup trucks have appealed to buyers for decades. These trucks were designed with the everyday truck driver in mind, but with the idea of building a better truck to handle the toughest jobs.

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The Birth of the F-Series

The year was 1948 and Ford introduced five new models of a new truck concept that they called the F-Series.  There were five different body styles and eight weight ratings, and initially, these models were called the F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4 and F-5.
The second generation brought big changes to the names of the F-Series. The F-1 became the F-100 and the F-2 and F-3 were merged to become the F-250 and finally, the F-4 became the F-350, while production of the F-5 just stopped.
By the third generation, Ford made other changes to the line. A new Styleside bed was added, and the body became longer and lower. The engines were swapped out for newer more powerful versions while space was built into the cabins with some extra comfort.
The sixth generation gave us the first F-150 when Ford changed the name of this model.
The seventh generation presented a completely new design which came out in the 1980s, the most striking feature was the impactful addition of a dual rear-wheel model that became popular.

Ninth Generation Redesign

This model was given a brand-new look, which future models would build upon. Ford lowered the hoodline and rounded the grille, front bumper, and front fenders to create a more contemporary design. At this time Ford also offered a limited-edition package to commemorate the 75^th anniversary in 1992, which featured special striping and logos.

Tenth Generation

The year 1997 brought a split in the F-Series.  The F-150 became associated with farm and family for work and transit so this became a category of the F-Series. Meanwhile, the F-250 and F-350 became more associated with managing tougher jobs as a work vehicle. These models were called the Heavy-Duty line, but two years later they would be re-labeled as Super-Duty.

Eleventh Generation

With 2004’s redesign the F-Series was rebuilt with a new platform topped with a fully-boxed in the frame. Rear shocks were added to the F-150 model in 2008 and the Super Duty Line was also rebuilt with a new platform, larger grille with new headlights and an updated cabin.

Twelfth Generation Engine Upgrades

The F-Series was given an all-new lineup of more powerful engines to include a new V8, a new 3.7L V6, and a 3.5L V6, which would be later called the EcoBoost. These engines came standard with an automatic transmission.

Thirteenth Generation

With this redesign, the F-Series was lightened, but the towing power didn’t decrease. In fact, newer engines were also added, and this redesign enabled the engines to work more efficiently. Additionally, the six-speed automatic became the sole transmission for all models. Another change with this generation was the addition of advanced technology safety features like pre-collision assist, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go.   

Fourteenth Generation

The newest F-Series models fall under this generation, changes to include more comfortable interiors and more functional and stylish exteriors. Additional hi-tech safety features such as Active Drive Assist were available options. This generation also introduced the new Ford F-150 Lightning, the first fully electric Ford pickup.