Ford F-150 Generations: Through The Years

Ford F-150’s Lengthy Legacy

Ford’s signature truck, the F-150, had its beginnings with another icon, the Ford Model TT. That’s right, the first of Ford’s trucks was basically a Model T with a truck bed above the rear axle. Indeed, until the advent of the F-Series, Ford’s trucks were all based on their passenger car architecture. It wasn’t until 1948 that the Ford built a dedicated platform for their pickup, the newly christened F-1.

Today, we’re digging into the evolution of the Ford F-150, from the F-1 and F-100 to the SVT Lightning and the Raptor R. As you’ll see, Ford has been setting the bar for American trucks for decades, selling millions of F-Series along the way.

Ford F-150 Through the Years

1st Generation F-150 (1948 – 1952)

• The first-generation F-Series consisted of the F-1 though the F-8. These included the basic ½-ton and ¾-ton pickups F-1 through F-3, the F-4’s 1- and 1¼-ton versions, the F-5 and F-6 medium duty 1½-ton and 2-ton iterations, and the heavy-duty “Big Job” chassis, the F-7 and F-8.
• Ford spent over $1,000,000 dollars designing the cab for their new truck series. Adding numerous creature comforts like a glove box, sun visor, and a “Spiralounge Seat” featuring a weight adjustable shock absorber.
• The Ford F-1 engines included a 226-cu.-in. inline-six (95 horsepower) and 239 Flathead V8 with 100 horsepower. The F-Series’ largest engine offering was the 337-cu.-in. Lincoln Y-block of the F-7 and F-8 with 145 horsepower.

2nd Generation F-150 (1953 – 1956)

• Naming conventions changed for the second generation when the Ford F-1 became the Ford F-100, starting in 1953.
• F-series trucks saw numerous upgrades and changes like a new chassis and new styling that included changes to the grille design and a new wraparound windshield for improved visibility.
• The new “Ford-O-Matic” automatic transmission was introduced in 1953, the only in which it was paired with the Flathead V8.
• The following year, a new OHV Y-block V8 replaced the Flathead V8.
• Seatbelts also became an option in 1956.

3rd Generation F-150 (1957 – 1960)

• In 1957, the F-Series underwent another major redesign typified by a new squared-off body, forward leaning A-pillars, and a revised grille.
• Bed designs split between versions known colloquially as the “Styleside” that featured a continuous flat plane from front to back or the “Flareside” that retained the bulging rear fenders and running boards of previous versions.
• In 1958, Ford introduced optional four-wheel drive for the F-Series.
• The COE (cab over engine) F-Series was discontinued and replaced by the Ford C-Series, the first tilt-cab COE of its kind.

4th Generation F-150 (1961 – 1966)

• Another generation, another significant redesign. This time the F-Series got a bit longer and a bit lower.
• From ’61-’63, Ford offered the F-Series in a unibody design with the cab and bed fully integrated.
• In 1965, a new twin-I-beam design was added to the front suspension for two-wheel drive trucks. The design would remain in use in the F-Series all the way to 1996.
• Ford introduced the Crew Cab in 1965 for the F-250, making it the first four-door F-Series.
• In ’66, the Ranger was added as the F-Series’ new top trim with luxurious amenities like carpeting, power steering, and air conditioning.

5th Generation F-150 (1967 – 1972)

• A less radical updating of the F-Series design for this go-around.
• FORD in big, bold lettering appeared emblazoned across the front lip of the hood on the F-Series, and the headlights were incorporated into the grillwork.
• The F-Series cab continued to become more livable with a wider (by three inches) and more spacious interior than in previous generations.
• AC became a factory-installed option.
• In 1969, the grill received another update, and the 302 Windsor V-8 was added, a nearly identical 302 to the one powering the Ford Mustang.

6th Generation F-150 (1973 – 1979)

• More minor visual changes ushered in the sixth generation F-Series including a new grille that incorporated the FORD lettering.
• 1974 saw the debut of the Super Cab, offered with either center-facing jump seats or a bench.
• In 1975, Ford created a half-ton Ford F-150 that split the difference in performance and emissions between the F-100 and F-250. And thus, the F-150 nameplate was born.
• The gas tank was moved from outside the cab to under the bed.
• Air conditioning and heaters were dramatically improved.
• In 1978, square headlights were first introduced on higher trim level F-Series and became standard equipment a year later.
• 1979 was the final year a 460 big block engine was available in Ford’s half ton trucks.

7th Generation F-150 (1980 – 1986)

• 1980 saw the first major chassis update since 1965. The body was also updated with a fresh look, improved aerodynamics, and a centered blue oval in the grill.
• Ford officially discontinued the F-100 in 1983, making the F-150 the lightest Ford F-Series available.
• The same year, the Ranger trim level was dropped from the F-Series line and applied to a new light-duty pickup.
• Ford began marketing the F-Series as both a work truck and a family vehicle with promotions highlighting an outdoorsy lifestyle.
• The seventh was the last generation available with the “three on the tree” three-speed column shifted manual.

8th Generation F-150 (1987 – 1991)

• A more radical exterior update for the eighth generation included new wraparound signal lights, rounded wheel arches, and a simplified flat grille design.
• The interior also got a major makeover with a new dash and gauge display.
• The Flareside bed was finally retired.
• Fuel injection was added to the base 300 cu.-in. six-cylinder, which upped output to 145 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft. of torque.
• Anti-lock brakes as well as power steering and power brakes all become standard equipment.

9th Generation F-150 (1992 – 1996)

• Ford built upon the 8th generation’s simplified look by smoothing out the lines on the F-Series. The turn signals were moved under the headlights and the grill was re-worked once again. This produced both a more modern look and further improved aerodynamics.
• The Flareside bed is resurrected and features massive fender flares coupled with modestly sized running boards.
• F-Series interiors also received another complete redesign and driver’s side air bags are added.
• The racing inspired F-150 SVT Lightning debuted in 1993 with a 5.7-liter V8 boasting 240 hp. It was discontinued in 1995.
• In 1995, the F-150 surpasses the Volkswagen Beetle to become the best-selling vehicle of all time.

10th Generation F-150 (1997 – 2003)

• The F-150 follows styling conventions of the day, getting a rounder more aerodynamic look for its tenth generation.
• Mechanical revisions are even more thoroughgoing and include a new fully independent front suspension.
• An entirely new line of engines also arrived including a new 4.2L V6 as the F-150’s standard engine along with a series of Triton V8s, ranging from 4.6L to 5.4L.
• In 1999, the Lightning re-emerged with a supercharged 5.4L Triton V8 posting 360 horsepower and 440 lbs. of torque (380 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. starting in 2001). After a brief stint through 2004, the Lightning trim was again dropped.

11th Generation F-150 (2004 – 2008)

• The F-150 received a complete redesign in 2004 including an all-new platform. Biggers still, the design shifted back to a boxier, more muscular look as the truck’s rounded edges were re-sharpened.
• The interior was reworked, too, with the addition of more modern tech, improved ergonomics, and more cargo space. The 11th-generation F-150 marked its transition into the do-it-all family-friendly vehicle it is today.
• Lincoln briefly sold the Lincoln Mark LT, a rebadged luxury version of the Ford F-150.

12th Generation F-150 (2009 – 2014)

• For its twelfth generation, the F-150 got a new, three bar grill and an astonishingly voluminous interior.
• The 4.6L V8 became the base engine for the F-150.
• The Lincoln Mark LT was discontinued but fans of the luxury-oriented truck were greeted with the new Ford F-150 Platinum trim.
• The Ford SVT Raptor, a dedicated off-road pickup, debuted in 2010 with the same 6.2L V8 as the Super Duty F-Series making 411 horsepower.
• In 2011, the F-150 gained a new base 3.7L V6 engine. Even more importantly, was the introduction of the twin-turbo 3.5L V6 EcoBoost. Direct-injection turbocharging, EcoBoost in Ford’s parlance, would go on to inhabit the engines in all sorts of Fords. It’s in everything from the Focus to the Transit Van and from the Explorer to the F-150 to even the Mustang and the Ford GT. As well as a whole slew of Lincolns.
• This generation saw the elimination of any manual transmission option in the F-Series.

13th Generation F-150 (2015 – 2020)

• The F-150 slimmed down for its 13th generation as Ford reduced its curb weight by around 750 lbs. How did the F-150 manage to drop so much weight? Ford switched out steel for an aluminum body.
• The F-150 became the first pickup to earn a 5-star crash test rating from the NHTSA.
• A 2.7L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 was added for even greater fuel efficiency.
• The F-150 adds adaptive cruise control, making it the first full-size truck to do so. This was just one of many driver assistance and advanced safety technology features added in the 13th generation.
• The Ford F-150 Limited adds high-end features like massaging seats, a 360° camera, and a remote power tailgate.
• The F-150 Raptor returned in 2017 with a new twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost V6 cranking out 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque.

14th Generation F-150 (2021 – Present)

• The 14th-generation F-150 received a major visual overhaul but carried over its lineup of powertrains from the prior version, albeit with a couple of notable additions.
• A new “Power Boost” hybrid powertrain combines the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 with a 35-kW electric motor with 430 horsepower.
• Even more revolutionary is the addition of the F-150 Lightning and its all-electric drivetrain. The F-150 Lightning’s standard battery is 337-kWh capable of 452 horsepower and a 240-mile range. The extended range battery pack is 433 kWh with up to 580 horsepower and 320 miles of range.
• Practical innovations abound inside and out. The F-150’s cabin now features a fold-down gear selector, converting the center console into a worktable. The front seats fold flat for easy job-site napping. The tailgate doubles as a work bench, with built-in clamp points, rulers, cup holder, and storage.
• The Raptor R arrived for 2023 as the most potent version yet, with an absurd supercharged 5.2L V8 tuned to 720 horsepower.
• Today, the Ford F-150 remains America’s best-selling truck and best-selling vehicle. With its legacy of innovation and work-a-day ruggedness, it’s easy to see why.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in January 2016 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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