6 1973

The truck was redesigned in 1973 with an automatic transmission option. Other changes included the introduction of the Twin I-Beam suspension, a name that is still used, and the 1974 introduction of the extended super cab version. A luxury Lariat trim was introduced for 1978. That same year, the F-series became the best-selling vehicle in America, a position it has continued to hold since.

Engines:

• 1973-1977 - 240 in³ straight-6
• 1973-1977 - 300 in³ straight-6
• 1973-1977 - 352 in³ FE V8
• 1973-1976 - 360 in³ FE V8
• 1973-1977 - 390 in³ FE V8
• 1973-1977 - 302 in³ Windsor V8
• 1973-1979 - 460 in³ 385 V8
• 1977-1979 - 351 in³ Cleveland V8, 163 hp
• 1977-1979 - 400 in³ Cleveland V8, 169 hp
• 1978-1979 - 300 in³ straight-6, 114 hp

7 1980

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 in 1982, since that name was to be applied to the new Ford Ranger compact pickup . Trim options were now XL, XLT, and XLT Lariat. The big-block V8 was dropped for 1980, but added again in 1983 along with a Diesel option. The base model was renamed to the now-familiar F-150 for 1984.

Engines:

• 1980-1986 - 300 in³ straight-6
• 1980-1982 - 351 in³ Cleveland V8
• 1980-1982 - 400 in³ Cleveland V8
• 1983-1986 - 7.5 L 385 V8, 245 hp
• 1983-1986 - 6.9 L Diesel V8, 170 hp

8 1987

The 1987 refresh was evolutionary. The design was more streamlined, and maintenance items were made simpler. Rear antilock brakes were now standard, the first truck to boast this. The manual transmission was revised with five speeds in 1988, and the flareside box was dropped.

Four wheel drive improvements included the addition of automatic locking hubs for the F-150 in 1989, and for the rest in 1991. The 5.0 L truck also had an optional "Touch Drive" electronic transfer case.

Engines:

• 1987-1991 - 4.9 L straight-6, FI, 150 hp
• 1987 - Windsor 5.0 L V8
• 1987 - Windsor 5.8 L V8
• 1987-1991 - 385 7.5 L V8, FI, 230 hp
• 1987-1991 - 7.3 L Diesel V8, 180 hp
• 1988-1991 - Windsor 5.0 L V8, FI, 185 hp
• 1988-1991 - Windsor 5.8 L V8, FI, 210 hp

9 1992

The 1992 truck was much more rounded and aerodynamic-looking, and the flareside returned until 1996. The Lightning appeared in 1993. A CD player option was new for 1994, as was a driver's-side airbag and " CHMSL " third brake light. Following the lead of the Explorer, an Eddie Bauer trim line was added for 1995.

Engines:

• 1992-1996 - 4.9 L straight-6, FI, 150 hp
• 1992-1996 - 7.5 L 385 V8, FI, 230 hp
• 1992-1996 - 7.3 L Diesel V8, 180 hp
• 1992-1996 - 5.0 L Windsor V8, FI, 185 hp
• 1992-1996 - 5.8 L Windsor V8, FI, 210 hp
• 1993-1995 - 5.8 L Windsor V8, FI, 240 hp Lightning
• 1995-1996 - 7.3 L PowerStroke turbo- Diesel V8, 210 hp/425 ft.lbf

10 1997

Ford took the aero styling to its conclusion for 1997 with an extremely round nose on the new F-series. A wide variety of body options were available: regular, SuperCab, and SuperCrew cabs, 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.

The heavy-duty F-250 and F-350 were retained on the old chassis until 1999.

Engines:

• 1997-2003 - 4.2 L Essex V6, 202 hp/252 ft.lbf
• 1997-2003 - 4.6 L Triton V8, 231 hp/293 ft.lbf
• 1997-2003 - 5.4 L Triton V8, 260 hp/350 ft.lbf
• 1999-2004 - 5.4 L supercharged Triton V8, 340 hp (Lightning, 2002 Harley-Davidson)
• 1999-2003 - 6.8 L Triton V10, 275 hp/410 ft.lbf
• 1999-2003 - 7.3 L PowerStroke turbo- Diesel V8, 235 hp/500 ft.lbf

11 2004

In 2004, Ford redesigned the F-Series using the new P2 platform. Initially, only Ford's 4.6 L Triton and new 3-valve 5.4 L 3V Triton V8 engines and automatic transmissions were offered on the new luxurious trucks. Work-oriented versions with an available 4.2 L Triton V6 and manual transmission will debut for 2005.

The previous F-150 was continued in production until the summer of 2004 as the Heritage model.

12 Lightning

The high-performance F-150 Lightning debuted in 1993. It used a 240 hp version of Ford's 5.8 L V8. Sales were not great, so the Lightning was dropped in 1995.

A new Lightning debuted in 1999 on the new F-150 platform. It used a supercharged 5.4 L Ford Modular engine that produced 360 hp, a figure later raised to 380 hp. The last Lightning was produced in 2004.

Ford has announced that a new Lightning based on the redesigned F-150 might come in 2008.

F-Series Pickup trucks

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