Ford trucks are one of today’s most successful and most popular trucks sold in the market. Each year, Ford trucks are made even better. There’s Ford Work Solutions, the technologically enhanced features which aid Ford truck drivers to manage their job while being on the go with their Ford trucks. But did you ever wonder how did everything start off, exactly? Listed below is a brief at-a-glance history of how Ford trucks came to be what they are now.
Some time between 1948 and 1952 the first F-Series were introduced: F-1 (half-ton), F-2 (three-ton) or F3 (Heavy Duty). They were the 1948 models. Back then, two engines were made available: a 226-cubic-inch inline six with 95 hp and a 239-cubic-inch V8 which was able to give off 100hp. 1951 was the year that Ford trucks saw a new base engine, which was 215-cubic-inch inline six that gave off 101 hp. Up until 1952, the Ford trucks had undergone some exterior overhauls and mechanical improvements for better performance and tougher trucks.
Ford trucks during 1953 were made to look sleeker and were called F-100 and F-250. The Heavy Duty versions changed their name to F-350. The year 1954 saw improvements in engines as well as the exterior of the trucks. This continued until 1956. An example of this: 223 c.i. with 115 hp.
In 1957 Ford trucks were given lower hoods and flushed fenders. There were two types of body styles: Flareside and Styleside. It wasn’t until 1958 that a new grille was introduced. The four-wheel drive and the two-tone interior trimming were not offered until 1959. It is in that same year that the Ford trucks housed larger V8 engines. By 1960, the trucks had been modified to achieve a heavy, bug-eyed look.
Single headlights and a wider, lower body were brought back. Changes in the look of the grilles happened yearly. By 1965 three new engines were offered: 240-c.-i. inline six with 150 hp, 300-c.i. inline six with 170 hp, and 352-c.i. V8 with 208 hp. 1968 was all about functional improvements, such as the engines. F-100 models got rid of the leaf springs and were replaced with coil springs. A four-door pickup truck was introduced at 1969, which would be of the Crew Cab variety.
Ford trucks were even more improved come 1973, undergoing changes such as having a bigger frame, more space, and noticeable functional changes. The SuperCab was introduced in 1974. It was the extended cab version of the F-Series. Balancing the F-100 and F-250 was the F-150, which was introduced at 1975. It was a half-ton pickup that saw little change until 1976.
Engines were given yet another attention during the year 1977, as options were made available. There were 351-c.i. with 163 hp and 400-c.i. with 169 hp which replaced the option of the 360 V8 engine. The standard base engine for 1978 was 300-c.i. inline six with 114 hp. The Ranger Lariat was launched that year. Square headlights used to be seen in all models except for Custom but that changed during 1979, when all the F-Series trucks were given square headlights.
Ford F-Series greeted the eighties with a lot of room for improvements in more ways than one. For one thing, the 1980 trucks had undergone a more aerodynamic design. Be sure to come back tomorrow for another quick but informative rundown on the history of Ford trucks.
source: Edmunds Inside Line
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