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FORD F-Series Trucks

The F-Series is a series of full-size pickup trucks from Ford Motor Company sold for over six decades. The most popular variant of the F-Series is the F-150. It was the best-selling vehicle in the United States for 24 years and has been the best-selling truck for 34 years! Analysts estimate that the F-Series alone makes up half of the Ford Motor Company's profits in recent years. In the tenth generation of the F-series, the F-250 and F-350 changed body style in 1998 and joined the Super Duty series.

1992  - 1996

The 1992 truck received a new aerodynamic-looking front end, a new dashboard, and the Flareside bed returned. The "Nite" package introduced in 1991 continued, but was dropped at the end of the 1992 model year.

The Lightning Performance Truck appeared as a 1993 model, with more than 20 industry "firsts" or pilot applications, including 17-inch (430 mm) aluminum wheels, gas-charged shocks, and performance handling developed by world-champion driver Jackie Stewart. The Lightning was powered by a special 240 hp (180 kW) version of the 351-cubic-inch (5.8 L) V8 engine.

The 1994 models brought several changes, including a driver's-side airbag, "CHMSL" third brake light, brake-shift interlock and CFC-free air conditioning. New options in 1994 included remote keyless entry with alarm, a compact disc player fitted into the regular stereo system, and a power driver's seat; an electrochromic inside rear view mirror was also offered in 1994 and 1995 as part of a luxury light package. Following the lead of the Explorer, an Eddie Bauer trim line ? featuring plusher trim and increased standard features ? was added for 1995.

Ford trailed rival General Motors in combined truck sales 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.

Models:

    * F-150: 1/2 ton (6,100 lb GVWR max)
    * F-250: 3/4 ton (8,100 lb GVWR max)
    * F-250 HD: 1992?1997 Heavy Duty 3/4 ton (8,800 GVWR max)
    * F-350: 1 ton (10,000 lb GVWR max)
    * F-Super Duty: 1 ton plus (15,000 lb GVWR max)



1997 - 2004

Ford took the aero styling further for 1997 with a rounded nose on the new F-series. Since it was the F-150's first major redesign since 1980, the redesigned truck went on a nation-wide 87-stop tour to Ford plants and the external part suppliers in October, 1995 prior to its release. To build anticipation for the redesigned truck, the 1997 model was released in January 1996 with the first ad campaigns airing during Super Bowl XXX. Because of the radical styling, Ford predicted that traditional truck buyers wouldn't receive the radical and car-like 1997 too well, so it continued to produce and sell the previous 1996 model alongside the redesigned 1997 model for a few months.

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 7 lug wheels. Additionally, the F-250 Light Duty also offered a load leveling rear suspension system. The F-250 HD (Heavy Duty) was in the same series as the F-350. With the arrival of the all new 1999 "Super Duty" series in early 1998, the standard F-250 ('light duty'), F-250HD (Heavy Duty), & F-350 line was totally dropped and the F-250 (light duty), which was a temporary model from the start, became the "7700" package for the F-150 (noted on the tailgate emblem).
1999?2003 Ford F-150 SuperCab long bed

Completely new, more efficient engines were offered beginning in 1997. A 4.2 L OHV V6, based on Ford's 3.8 L Essex V6, replaced the 4.9 L OHV I6, while 4.6 and 5.4 liter SOHC V8s replaced the 5.0 and 5.8 liter OHV V8s, also the 7.5 liter big block V8 was replaced by the 6.8 liter V10 for the super duty models respectively. The 4.6 and 5.4 liter V8s were marketed under the name "Triton" and mark the first use of Ford's Modular Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) engines in the F-Series pickups.

A wide variety of body options were available: regular cab and SuperCab, standard or flareside boxes, and short and long beds. A new Lightning was introduced in 1999, and Harley-Davidson and King Ranch versions were also created. In 2001 the SuperCrew cab was introduced with four full-size doors. In 2002, an FX4 model was introduced which came with skid plates,a carbon steel frame, Rancho shock absorbers, and specific 17" aluminum wheels along with more standard features that were optional on XLT. In 2003, a sporty STX trim package was introduced, aimed at younger truck buyers. The STX package featured color keyed front/rear bumpers along with clear lens headlights and integrated round fog lamps. The package also featured chrome step rails, 17" chrome wheels, and a Kenwood Z828 stereo was installed in place of the standard Ford radio.

1998 - 2004

Sales of the F-150 surged in the tenth generation from 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 Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1997.[10] The grille was updated in 1999 with minor interior updates as well. The SuperCrew was added to the lineup in 2001. Ford manufactured a limited run of "Heritage" F-150s of this body style in 2004 (as 2004 model years) to finish out production. This truck, with an updated grille, is still available in Mexico as a less-expensive alternative to the current trucks.

In 2004, Ford redesigned the F-150 using the new P2 platform. The side windows also changed to a Kenworth "Daylight Door" and Ford Super Duty-like appearance; dipping towards the front of the door. Initially, only Ford's 4.6 L Triton or new 3-valve 5.4 L 3V Triton V8 engines and four-speed automatic transmissions were offered to the retail public on the new trucks. In 2005, Ford's 4.2 L Essex V6 and manual transmission became available and standard on base models after they were available only for fleet orders for 2004.

The F-250 and F-350 Ford Super Duties (on the P3 platform) are a different class (over 8,500 lb (3,900 kg) GVWR) than the regular F-series lineup, although they are still F-series trucks.

All F-Series have two large "closed loop" front tow hook design as opposed to conventional open hooks. The F-Series can pull up to 30,000 lb (14,000 kg) with just one hook.

2005 - Present

For the 2006 model year beginning in December, 2005, a flex-fuel version of the 3-valve 5.4 L Triton V8 became available.

For 2007, Ford introduced a complement to the existing FX4 model, the new FX2 Sport package (a 2 wheel drive truck with an appearance package).

Ford states a properly equipped 2007 F-150 (Long Wheel Base, 2WD model only) can tow up to 11,000 lb (5,000 kg) maximum and 1800?3050 lb maximum payload. The 2004 F-150 SuperCrews with the FX4 package could pull 4X4 F-250 Super Dutys out of mud with minimal strain. Also the F-150s are able to be a cheap alternative to the more expensive F-250s. Like the F-250, the F-150 could pull 25 ft trailers with only a 5.4 L Triton.

This generation F-150 got top safety ratings (5 stars) from the NHSTA in frontal collisions, and not only got a "Good" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's frontal offset test, but also a Best Pick. The dummy sensors recorded no injuries to any body region.

Saleen offers their own OEM version of the F-150, badged as the S331. Additionally, Roush offers an aftermarket version with similar power. Beginning with the second half of the 2007 model year, Ford offered the Saleen forced-induction package on the Harley edition as an OEM option.

The F-150 Foose Edition debuted in fall 2007 as a 2008 model. Based on an F-150 FX2 Sport, it uses a Roush-developed powertrain. The supercharged 5.4 L V8 puts out 450 hp (340 kW) and 500 lb·ft (680 N·m) of torque.[12]
[edit] Awards, sales accomplishments

The new F-150 earned the North American Truck of the Year award for 2004 and was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 2004. It also beat the three-time winning Chevrolet Silverado for Car and Driver magazine's Best Pickup Truck for 2004 and 2005. Additionally, over 939,000 F-Series trucks were sold in 2005, a single-year sales record for trucks.[citation needed]

As a popular fleet vehicle, this generation of the F-Series has garnered a number of awards from fleet management professionals. The 2006 F-150 was named Fleet Truck of the Year by Automotive Fleet and Business Fleet magazines,[13] and the 2007 models of the F-150, F-250 and F-350 were chosen Best Fleet Value vehicles in their respective categories by automotive data-analysis firm Vincentric.[14] Winner of the 2006?2007 Golden Icon Award (presented by Travolta Family Entertainment) for "Best Truck".[15]

According to Consumer Reports' used car reliability history data, the 2004?2008 F-150 with the 4.2 L V6 engine is the most reliable American pickup truck ever produced in history. It scored a rating of excellent for five straight consecutive years within one body generation, something that domestics had never earned in the past.


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