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The F-Series is a series of . FIRST GENERATION (1948–1952)
The first F-series truck (known as the Ford Bonus) from Ford was introduced in 1948, replacing the company's previous car-based pickup line. It was a modern-looking truck with a one-piece windshield and integrated headlights. Options were the "See-Clear" windshield washer (operated by foot plunger), passenger side windshield wiper & sun visor, and passenger side taillight. All F-series were available in " Marmon-Herrington All Wheel Drive" until 1959. All trucks were built at the Highland Park Ford Plant in Highland Park, Michigan. The models are:
Engines:
SECOND GENERATION (1953–1956)
The F-series was redesigned for 1953 with a more integrated look. The pickups also acquired their familiar names: The F-1 now became the F-100, the F-2 now became the '''F-250''', and the F-3 now became the 1 ton '''F-350'''. Starting on the 1956 models, Ford offers the very rare "Low GVWR " versions of each model. Interior amenities were new, including a dome light, lighter, arm rests, and sun visors. On March 13, 1953, "Ford-O-Matic" automatic transmissions became an option. The models are:
Engines:
TELEVISION On the series Angel, on-the-fence lawyer Lindsey MacDonald drives a '56 F-100. Angel uses it to smash through the front of a suburban house while rescuing Cordelia from three-eyed demons. THIRD GENERATION (1957–1960)
The truck was restyled again in 1957 with a hood that now sat flush with the fenders and a new chrome grille. In the back, the traditional separate-fender body was now called ''flareside'', while a new smooth-sided look was known as ''styleside''. Four Wheel Drive drive-train, which was once outsourced to Marmon-Herrington is now produced in-house by Ford Motor Company in 1959 to the present time. Ford still offers a "Low GVWR " version of each model. In May 1957 Ford discontinued making all trucks at the Highland Park Ford Plant in Highland Park, Michigan. All heavy trucks were transferred to the Kentucky Truck Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky. All light and medium trucks were transferred to 10 other plants in the USA. The models are:
Engines:
FOURTH GENERATION (1961–1966)
The truck was completely redesigned for 1961 with a wider look, and ''unibody'' trucks were built with an integrated cab and box. Power was over 200 hp with the 1965 refresh of the powertrain. In 1965, the Twin I-Beam front suspension was introduced with Coil Spring s. The 1965 and 1966 trucks have a "TWIN I-BEAM" emblem on the front fender. A 4-door Crew Cab version was also introduced in 1965, still a popular option. Ford still offers a "Low GVWR " version of each model. In 1965, the name "Ranger" is first introduced as a styling package for the F-Series pickup trucks. Then later (1981) the name Ranger is used for Ford's compact series trucks; a non F-Series American competition for the foreign truck market at the time. In 1965, the 4.9L straight-6 was introduced. It had 7 main bearings and timing gears (no chain or belt). The models are:
Engines:
FIFTH GENERATION (1967–1972)
Another refresh came in 1967 along with a familiar name: the upscale Ranger trim line in addition to the '''base''' and '''Custom Cab''' trim levels. In 1968, federal regulations required all automotive manufacturers to add side marker reflectors or lights, and Ford was able to add these lights to the new cowl insgnia used since 1967. 1967 Ford F-100 hood insignia 1968-62 Ford F-100 hood insignia The same year the trucks received larger versions of Ford's FE engine family with the introduction of the 360 and 390 cubic inch engines. The 302 became an option in late '69. The top trim for 1970 was now named '''Ranger XLT''' with Ranger, '''Sport Custom''' and '''Custom''' rounding off the rest of the line. The fifth generation bodies were noted for durability and simplicity of design making them a favorite for restoration. Some trucks came with an outer flush mounted bed side compartment/tool box on the passenger side only. It could not have one on the driver's side due to the fuel tank taking up the space behind the bed side panel. After the 1968 models, Ford discontinued the "Low GVWR " versions. The Explorer Special (a trim package), '''Camper Special''' (built heavier for a slide in camper), '''Contractor's Special''', '''Farm and Ranch Special''', and '''Heavy-Duty Special''' were offered. The fifth-generation F-series was introduced in Brazil in 1971, which remained in production until 1991 with a slight redesign and changes in its motorizations. The models are:
Engines:
SIXTH GENERATION (1973–1979)
The truck was redesigned in 1973 with an Automatic Transmission option. In 1973, the new model was the Super Camper Special which was designed for the much heavier slide-in campers coming on the market at that time. Other changes included the 1974 introduction of the extended Super Cab version. The '''F-150''' was introduced in 1975 with a maximum payload of 2,275 lbs when properly equipped. With the 1/2 ton F-100 still in production, the new F-150 was referred to as the "heavy half" ton. The grille for the 1973 model year featured two silver-metallic plastic inserts divided by an aluminum bar that was part of the main grille frame, with the letters "F O R D" spaced out in a thin rail in the upper part of the grille. Large round headlights were on either side of the grille with the park/turnsignal lamps placed above in the same rail where the "FORD" lettering was. In 1976, this familiar "split-grille" design was facelifted slightly to feature black accents around the headlights and a refined appearance overall. In 1978, the round headlight design was retained for the regular Ranger, Custom and XLT trim levels. The "Lariat" trim level incorporated rectangular headlights with optional chrome headlight doors and chrome grille insert. The split grille design was overhauled in favor of a single-piece grille insert design. The headlights were also placed in a more stylized "insert" themselves, and the park/turnsignal lamps were now placed below the headlights. A luxury '''Lariat''' trim was also introduced for 1978. In 1979, the round headlights were replaced by rectangular headlamps across all the trim levels and the surrounding grille insert that framed the headlamps was now available in either black, or chrome to match that of the aluminum grille frame. Additionally, an optional chrome-plated "F O R D" letterset could now be seen on the hood immediately above the grille. In 1976, the F-series became the best-selling truck in America, a position it has continued to hold since. The models are:
Engines:
SEVENTH GENERATION (1980–1986)
The next major redesign came in 1980. The new truck had a squarer look, with sharp lines and flat panels. The Ranger trim line was dropped from the F-Series in 1982, since that name was to be applied to the new Ford Ranger compact pickup, which replaced the Ford Courier mini-pickup line. Trim options were now XL, XLS, XLT, and XLT Lariat. The big-block 460 in³ V8 was dropped for 1980, but added again in 1983 along with the 6.9L V8 Diesel option. The new Essex V6 was added in 1982, but dropped after 1983. The F-100 was dropped as the base model at the end of 1983, being replaced in the Ford truck lineup by the new Ranger , and the now-familiar '''F-150''' took its place as the base model F-Series truck for 1984. In 1985 Fuel Injection became optional in the 5.0 L model. In 1986 this became the only 5.0 L model offered. In Mexico, there is an "F-200" which was introduced in 1976. This variant ran the remainder of the eighth generation until 1991. The models are:
Engines:
EIGHTH GENERATION (1987–1991)
.]] The 1987 design was more streamlined, and maintenance items were made simpler. Rear Antilock Brakes were now standard, and the first truck to boast this. The Manual Transmission was revised with five speeds in 1988, and the ''flareside'' box was dropped. For 1987 the 4.9 L had standard Fuel Injection ; for 1988, the 5.8 L and 7.5 L also gained Fuel Injection , with 1988 being the first year no carbureted engines were offered. 1988 also saw the replacement of the 6.9 L Diesel with a 7.3 L '' International Harvester IDI '' Diesel . Four wheel drive improvements included the addition of automatic locking hubs for the F-150 in 1989, and for the rest in 1991. Also, on the four wheel drive models, it featured a solid front axle, however it was hinged in the middle and connected to the frame. This offered both coil and leaf springs. The 5.0 L truck also had an optional "Touch Drive" electronic transfer case. Custom, XL, XLT, and XLT Lariat were the trim options available. Towards the end of this generation, there was the addition of the behind cab cargo light. The "F-Super Duty" (which is exactly what the front fender badges stated) models appeared from 1987 to 1997. They were basically an F-450. They were used mostly for wreckers/tow trucks but also used in ambulances and various commercial/industrial vehicles. They were labeled on the door sticker as an 'incomplete vehicle' (chassis cab) due to the fact that there was no bed installed and an aftermarket bed (specific to its future use) was added after the truck's initial build date. It came with dual fuel tanks that included an in dash mounted toggle switch to select between the 'Front' & 'Rear' tanks while using only the one fuel gauge. It came with a PTO (Power Take-Off) used to power attachments (like winches or a dump bed) from the transmission. They were rated at approx 15,000 lbs GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). They came with either the standard 7.5 L gas V8 or the optional 7.3 L diesel V8. All wheels were 10-lug with DRW (Dual Rear Wheels). This model should not to be confused with the " Super Duty " commercial line of trucks starting with the 1999 model year. The models are:
Engines:
NINTH GENERATION (1992–1996/1997)
The 1992 truck received a new aerodynamic-looking front end, a new dashboard, and the ''flareside'' bed returned. The Lightning Performance Truck appeared in 1993, with more than 20 industry "firsts" or pilot applications, including 17" aluminum wheels, gas-charged shocks, and performance handling developed by world-champion driver Jackie Stewart . A CD player option was new for 1994, as was a driver's-side Airbag , " CHMSL " third brake light, brake-shift interlock, and CFC free A/C. Following the lead of the Explorer , an ''Eddie Bauer'' trim line was added for 1995. Ford trailed rival General Motors trucks for much of the ninth generation, though sales steadily rose each year. 500,000 F-Series trucks were sold in 1992, but this rose to nearly 800,000 by 1996, and the Ford had overtaken the combined Chevrolet and GMC pickup sales for the first time in a decade. The models are:
Engines:
TENTH GENERATION (1997–2003/2004)
In February 1997, Ford sold off its class 8 heavy truck ("AeroMax" & "Louisville") operations to Freightliner LLC which were renamed Sterling (from an early White Motors brand). This was so that Ford could dedicate its Kentucky Truck Assembly facility to a more profitable light truck production of the upcoming all new F-250 to F-550 Super Duty series. Ford re-entered the class 6 and 7 medium-heavy duty truck market in 1999 with the introduction of the F-650 & F-750 Super Duty built at the Blue Diamond Truck Company plant in Escobedo, Mexico (which is a 50/50 joint venture of Ford and Navistar ). The F-150 was then assembled at 2 locations; the Kansas City Assembly in Claycomo, Missouri and at the Dearborn Truck plant (which is a part of the large River Rouge Plant complex) in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford took the aero styling to its conclusion for 1997 with an extremely round nose on the new F-series. The regular F-250 (light duty) was basically an F-150 with the same body panels but with heavy duty axles and suspension, along with odd 7 lug wheels. The F-250 HD (Heavy Duty) was considered in the same series as the F-350. With the arrival of the all new " was introduced in 1999, and Harley-Davidson and King Ranch versions were also created. In 2001 the SuperCrew cab was introduced. Sales of the F-150 surged in the tenth generation to 750,000 to over 900,000 in 2001 as the General Motors and Dodge products lagged. Ford's sales dropped, however, for the final years of this generation as the redesigned Dodge trucks were released. The new F-150 was '') engines into the F-150. The grille was updated in 2000 and the SuperCrew was added to the lineup in 2001. Ford manufactured a limited run of "Heritage Edition" F-150s of this body style in 2004 (as 2004 model years) to finish out production.
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