Click Here for Featured Specials
Click Here for Featured Specials
Randall Reed Family Owned & Operated Since 1992
Did you know that since the Ford F-150 debuted in 1975, it has remained one of the best-selling pickup trucks ever? What makes this beloved truck so popular? People continue to buy the F-150 for several reasons, including its iconic styling, high reliability, and safety ratings. These trucks are built “Ford Tough,” whether you use them to haul supplies to the job site or to pull a boat to the lake for a family vacation. Let's look at the history of the Ford F-Series and the development of the F-150.
Ford began building pickup trucks in 1917 with its Model TT chassis cab based on the Model T car. By 1928, they had created the Model AA and Model BB trucks before launching the Model 50 pickups between 1935 and 1941. Ford halted most production of civilian pickup trucks by 1941 to focus on making vehicles for World War II. Then in 1948, they made the first generation of the F-Series pickup truck.
Ford called the first-generation pickup trucks the F-Series Bonus Built trucks, which included the half-ton F-1 and the heavy-duty cab-over F-8. These trucks had round headlights, a foot-plunger windshield washer, and driver- and passenger-side windshield wipers.
By 1953, Ford redesigned the F-Series truck with an updated chassis, more powerful engines, and luxury features such as a radio and dome light. In 1956, the F-100 had a wrap-around windshield instead of the familiar sloped one, and seat belts became an option for all F-Series models.
The third-generation F-Series sees a modern body design. The front fenders became integrated with the body in a clamshell-like appearance with a wider stance. This look lasted almost 20 years. In 1959, four-wheel drive became an option for the F-Series pickup trucks.
Ford introduced the Twin-I-Beam front suspension system for the F-series and the first four-door crew cab model. In 1965, you see the Ranger trim was added to the F-Series lineup, which Ford kept until they discontinued it in 2011. The Ranger brought a touch of luxury to the pickup trucks with carpeted floors, power brakes, power steering, and air-conditioning.
The design of the F-Series becomes more modern during the fifth generation. By this time, the truck had a heavier frame, a new front grille design with integrated headlights, and four more inches of room in the cab.
The sixth generation was pivotal for the F-Series. In 1975, Ford introduced the first F-150 pickup truck. By 1978, you could get rectangular-shaped headlights on select upper trims, and by 1979, they were standard across the F-150 lineup.
Ford gave the F-Series a new design for the seventh generation. The automaker added pleasant features such as power windows and doors, a tinted windshield, and interval windshield wipers. Drivers no longer had the option of three-on-the-tree manual shifting, as Ford discontinued this feature in 1986.
In 1991, we saw the appearance of the Nite Edition model for the F-150. In addition, Ford gave the F-150 a standard 5.0-liter V-8 engine and a rounder look for the front end. In 1989, the F-Series became the nation's best-selling truck.
The ninth generation of the F-Series gave the F-150 a new look with a FlareSide bed option. Technology improved with a driver's side airbag, remote keyless entry, and a compact disc player.
Ford made the F-150 separate from the others in the F-Series lineup in this generation. The F-150 became more of a personal-use truck, while the F-250 and F-350 branched into more heavy-duty industrial or commercial use. We also saw a major redesign of the exterior of the F-150 with a more aerodynamic appearance. Ford replaced the Twin-I-Beam suspension system with a torsion-bar system.
The F-150 gets an interior makeover in this generation with more room and features to make driving and riding in this vehicle more comfortable. In addition, Ford gives all F-150s four doors with the SuperCab and crew cab. In 2004, the F-150 earned the North America Truck of the Year award for safety and reliability.
You can begin to see the future design of the F-150 in the twelfth generation. Ford gave this pickup truck a bolder, more aggressive appearance with a prominent grille and squared-off style. In 2011, the F-150 gets a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Off-road drivers embraced the F-150 SVT Raptor with its rugged suspension and a 5.4-liter V-8 engine pumping out 320 horsepower with its introduction in the twelfth generation.
In 2015, Ford gives the F-150 adaptive cruise control as part of the truck's safety features. The truck also gets 750 pounds lighter when Ford switched the frame from all steel to all aluminum. We also see the new Raptor 2.0 with a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine delivering a massive 510 horsepower. Additionally, Ford gives the F-150 lineup innovative technology features, such as an advanced infotainment system, more driver-assist features, and remote capabilities.
Ford continues to upgrade the F-150 in the current fourteenth generation. This truck has more technology, five engine options, and a hybrid powertrain. In 2021, Ford debuted the all-electric F-150 Lightning with an estimated driving range of 240 to 400 miles, depending on the battery pack size. At Planet Ford Dallas, we look forward to seeing what modern changes Ford brings to the F-150 in the coming years.
This iconic full-size pickup truck has a rich history and a bright future. The team here at Planet Ford Dallas invites you to stop by our state-of-the-art showroom and the dealership to learn more about the history of the Ford F-150. We'll be happy to show you our inventory of new Ford F-150s and let you take one for a test drive. Once you find the perfect F-150 trim to fit your lifestyle, our professional finance team will help you get the ideal auto loan.
Ford F-150 by Nguy?n Hoàng Kha is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0
