Overview
For many years, the Ford F-150 has been THE truck that has dominated the road. Full-size pickup trucks of the F-Series are advertised as having features to suit everyone's needs. Which year best suits you? For a breakdown of each generation, continue reading.
1st Generation: 1975-1979
The initial version of the Ford F-150 debuted in 1975, in the middle of the sixth generation of Ford F-Series trucks. It was larger than the F-100 even though it was smaller than the F-250. The half-ton F-150 was offered in regular and super cab varieties. The base engine was an inline six-cylinder with 113 horsepower. There were two V8 engine options, with 145 and 160 horsepower on each. Today, one can still see the vehicle's circular headlamps and wide rectangular grille. A second V8 engine option became available in 1976, while other V8 alternatives got a much-needed horsepower boost in 1977. Circular headlights were replaced with rectangular ones in 1978, but other substantial design changes were uncommon. A three-speed manual transmission and an automatic transmission were also offered.
2nd Generation: 1980-1986
The second-generation Ford F-150 was introduced for the 1980 model year with less weight and a similar wheelbase. Highlights of the second generation included a new grille, enhanced design, a smoother ride, and choices between ordinary and super cabs. In addition to the inline six-cylinder engine, which remained the standard, two V8 engine options, a 5.0-liter and a 5.8-liter, both with over 130 horsepower and over 230 lb-ft of torque, were made available. Four-speed manual and automatic transmissions were introduced in 1981. For the base V8 and inline 6-cylinder engines, Ford adopted fuel injection in 1985. For 1982, Ford revised the F-Series badging by substituting the Ford Blue Oval grille emblem for the "FORD" hood lettering.
3rd Generation: 1987-1991
The 1987 Ford F-150 kept the same engine options with higher horsepower while introducing a somewhat more rounded look than the previous model. The four-speed manual transmission remained the standard while the four-speed automatic transmission was offered as an option. With other changes to the ride dynamics, the F-150 became more comfortable as a daily driver and even as a family vehicle. In addition to the standard five-speed manual transmission, three- or four-speed automatic gearboxes were offered for the 1988 model year. The Nite Edition F-150 was first offered by Ford in 1991. All Nite Editions were four-wheel drive XLT Lariats with blacked-out trim and only available in standard cab style.
4th Generation: 1992-1996
The fourth-generation F-150 debuted with the F-Series. The hood and fascia of the 1992 F-150 were revised, and the body was made more aerodynamic. Both the same V8 engines, including a 5.0-liter and a 5.8-liter, and a base inline six-cylinder engine were available. These engines can be paired with three-speed automatic, four-speed manual, four-speed automatic, or five-speed manual transmissions.
5th Generation: 1997-2003
The F150 was a big hit after receiving the automaker's most radical redesign in more than ten years. The revised design was used in both the regular and super cab designs. Its body was more rounded, and it was made to be both a transport vehicle and a passenger vehicle with powerful towing capabilities. After this modification, the F-250 and one-ton F-350 Super Duty vehicles remained usable for commercial purposes. The twin-I-beam front suspension of the F-150 was swapped out for a torsion-bar system, and the new chassis was lighter. Ford replaced the inline six-cylinder engine with a 4.2-liter V6 while upgrading the V8 options to 4.6 and 5.4-liter engines with more than 200 horsepower. The five-speed manual transmission was kept as the standard.
6th Generation: 2004-2008
The base V6 engine from the previous year remained standard with a five-speed manual transmission, while the 5.4-liter Triton V8 remained an option but was only available with an automatic transmission. Thanks to its 6.5- or 8-foot bed options, five-star safety rating, and praiseworthy redesign that brought about the sixth generation of pickup trucks, the F-150 won multiple awards. It strengthened its reputation as a work truck and a family vehicle. Ford vehicles' annual sales across the country increased as a result of positive consumer feedback.
7th Generation: 2009-2014
Throughout the seventh generation, the F-150 was improved with minor adjustments like heated seats, HID headlights, and other upmarket features that keep the F-150 from merely being a work vehicle but still a decent family automobile. The Platinum trim level made its seventh generation premiere with a unique grille, 20-inch chrome wheels, heated and ventilated seats, and premium leather upholstery. The 2014 F-150 Tremor was propelled when it was added to the lineup by the 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine. The Ford truck in question was essentially a regular-cab F-150 that had the Tremor package installed. This package added eye-catching design features, an electronically locked 4.10:1 rear differential, 20-inch wheels with 275/55 Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, and the option of rear- or four-wheel drive.
8th Generation: 2015-2020
This generation's F-150 is bigger than previous models and comes with a range of engines, including a base V6 engine, a 2.7-liter, 3.5-liter EcoBoost turbo V6, a 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine, or a 5.0-liter V8 engine. The regular, crew, and super cab configurations were the three available options. With amenities like LED lighting, cutting-edge safety systems, automated start-stop, and a 10-speed automatic transmission, it kept its place at the forefront of automobile technology. A more powerful 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with 510 horsepower was added as standard equipment to the Raptor in 2017.
9th Generation: 2021-Present
Several substantial changes have been made to this generation, notably the new hybrid F-150 PowerBoost. All F-150 model levels can come with a hybrid powertrain that has a range of at least 700 miles (with the gas engine and motor combined). It pairs a 35 kW electric motor with a 3.5 L EcoBoost turbo V6 engine. The five engine options from the previous generation include the 5.0-liter V-8, four V6s with twin-turbo engines displacing 2.7 and 3.5 liters, a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel, and a normally aspirated 3.3-liter engine. For 2022, a brand-new Black Appearance package is available for the XL, XLT, Lariat, and Platinum trim levels. The 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor has a 450-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine, but the Raptor R will be more potent. Rumor has it that the Raptor R will compete against the RAM TRX using the Shelby Mustang GT500's 760-horsepower supercharged V8 engine. The Rattler, a reasonably priced off-road trim option based on the regular XL model, was also introduced by Ford for 2022.
Conclusion
You now have a better understanding of what each generation can give you and which will best meet your needs. Come check out our Ford F-150s right now.