Ford F-Series Milestones

1948

• F-Series “Bonus Built” trucks are introduced Jan. 16 (F-1 through F-8), the first of Ford Motor Company’s all-new postwar line of vehicles.

1953

• F-100 pickup is introduced. Series designations added “00” to the end, meaning this light-duty pickup went from being an F-1 to being an F-100.
• This also was the first year an automatic transmission was available in trucks (in the F-100 line), but would prove to be the final year for the flathead V-8.

(1953 F-100)

(The former F-4 continued its one-ton rating as the F-350. This nomenclature is still used today.)

(The former Ford F-2 and F-3 trucks were combined into the new 3/4-ton F-250 truck)

1959

• Ford’s 4x4s are introduced, primarily for commercial use, but just in time for the growth in recreational off-road driving and personal use of pickup trucks in the 1960s.

1965

• Twin I-Beam front suspension is introduced, allowing F-Series to “drive like a car – work like a truck.”
• Nearly two-thirds of pickup owners use trucks for recreational and personal use. In response, Ford introduces its Camper Special package for F-100 and F-250, an industry first.

(1965 Ford F-100: Twin I-Beam front suspension is introduced. Suspension allows F-Series to “drive like a car – work like a truck.”)

1974

• Ford introduces F-Series SuperCab, signaling further growth in personal use of pickup trucks.

1975

• The F-Series pickup line changed little for 1975, with one exception: added was an F-150 model, which was intended to split the difference in payload capacity between the F-100 and F-250. Although hardly a major event at the time, the Ford F-150 would eventually take over from the F-100 as Ford’s base full-size pickup, and it would go on to become the best-selling vehicle in the United States.

1977

• F-Series becomes best selling Full Size Pickup Truck.

1978

• Ford sells 864,000 F-Series trucks, a record.

1980

• Most extensive redesign of F-Series to date.
• Ford’s first diesel pickups debut with 6.9-liter V-8.
• Four-wheel-drive truck models adopted Twin-Traction Beam independent front suspension

1982

• F-Series becomes best-selling vehicle in America.

1987

• F-Series becomes first truck with rear-wheel, anti-lock brakes.

1992

• Ford confirms that it has more trucks on the road with 250,000 miles than any other competitor, according to R.L. Polk.

1993

• Ford F-150 Lightning introduced.

1994

• Driver’s-side air bags introduced.

1995

• F-Series surpasses Volkswagen Beetle as world’s best-selling vehicle nameplate.
• F-Series introduces the Eddie Bauer edition truck.
• Ford Motor Company enters the Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
• Joe Ruttman gives Ford its first Craftsman Truck Series win at Bristol Motor Speedway in June.

1997

• Completely redesigned F-150 and F-250 models introduced.
• SuperCab features industry’s first standard third door in a full-size pickup.
• J.L. Polk Company recognizes the Ford F-150 with the Automotive Household Loyalty Award.

1998

• AutoWeek names F-150 ‘America’s Best Pickup Truck’ in a reader determined award grant. F-150 continues to win this honor the next eight consecutive years.

1999

• Ford and Harley-Davidson form an alliance and introduce the first Harley-Davidson edition of the F-150 as a 2000 model year vehicle.
• Ford launches a new F-Series Super Duty built on its own unique frame to usher in the first true medium duty pickup truck.
• Ford chalks up its first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series manufacturers championship.

2000

• Greg Biffle wins the 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship behind the wheel of a Ford F-150.

2001

• The latest version of the SuperCrew features four full doors and luxurious rear-seat accommodations with more passenger space than offered by the previous SuperCab.
• Ford debuts the new super-premium King Ranchâ edition truck.
• Ford unveils the second Harley-Davidson edition based on an F-150 SuperCrew.

2002

• Country star Toby Keith signs on to be spokesman for the F-Series. Ford becomes presenting sponsor of his concert tours.
• Edmunds.com grants Ford F-150 the ‘Editors Most Wanted: Large Pickup’ award.

2003

• Ford’s third Harley-Davidson edition F-150 debuts.
• The 6.0-liter Power Strokeâ diesel joins the Super Duty line up.
• J.D. Power & Associates names the Ford F-150 ‘Most Dependable Light Duty.’

2004

• All-new F-150 reflects shifts in market with more consumers using pickup as a daily vehicle. All models feature four-doors – even regular cab models.
• F-Series sets record in sales with 939,511.
• The F-Series honored as the ‘Best Truck Line of Texas’ by the Texas Auto Writer Truck Roder.
• Money Magazine grants F-150 their ‘Best Pickup’ designation. F-150 goes on to win the award again in 2005.

2005

• Ford launches an all-new, redesigned and more capable Super Duty.
• ‘Consumers Most Wanted’ award, as presented by Edmunds.com. Awarded again in 2006.
• Automovil Panamerico names F-150 ‘Pickup of the Year’.
• Consumers Digest calls Ford F-150 a ‘Best Buy’.
• MotorWeek readers grant F-150 the honor ‘Driver’s Choice: Best Pickup’.
• SEMA recognizes F-150 as the ‘Most accessory friendly truck’.
• Car and Driver magazine names F-150 among it’s ‘5 Best’.
• Texas Auto Writers Association again names F-150 ‘Full-size Truck of Texas’.

2006

• Ford’s fourth Harley-Davidson edition F-150 and the first Harley-Davidson edition built on the new 2004 F-150 platform.
• King Ranch F-150 is named the ‘Best Fullsize Pickup Truck’ by the Texas Auto Writers Truck Rodeo.

2007

• Ford introduces a supercharged F-150 Harley-Davidson edition truck.
• All-new Super Duty is launched for the 2008 model year. For the first time the Super Duty includes the F-450 pickup and 6.4-liter PowerStroke clean Turbo Diesel.
• The 2008 F-Series 60th Anniversary Editions are introduced