With critical acclaims like “America's best full-size truck” and five-star consumer ratings, it's no surprise that the Ford F-150 is one of the most popular trucks in the country. The F-150 belongs to the Ford F Series, which is a collection of competent and versatile trucks that have been produced since the 1940s. The most popular model is the F-150, which is in its 13th generation. With all that it offers in terms of power, performance, and reliability, the F-150 has been a best-selling pickup since the late 1970s, and it's been a top-selling vehicle in the US since the mid-1980s. Since you can't go wrong with any trim level or production year of the F-150, it makes sense to get one used. Fortunately, you can get a quality used F-150 at our dealership, where you'll find helpful and knowledgeable staff who are eager to help you choose the right one.
Appearance Over Time
The first generation of Ford F-150s was produced between 1948 and 1952. If you were to put a first edition F-150 near today's version, you'd hardly know it was the same car. Eight different trims, which covered eight weight classes, comprised the first F-150 generation. A school bus body design, wood panels, and a cab-over engine design were hallmarks of the first generation. A front fender, narrower grille, and wraparound windshield were highlights of the next generation. Inside, the dashboard was redesigned for a more user-friendly layout. By the 1960s, the F-150 had a longer and lower design. A unibody design, with an integrated cab and bed, formed the F-150's appearance. The fifth generation, which spanned the 1960s and early 1970s, brought more engine options and more trim levels. The exterior remained largely the same until 1980, when the truck got a new chassis, glass windows, and modernized electronics. The engines of this generation brought more power too, notably with the introduction of direct fuel injection. In 2004, the F-150 underwent another total design change. This year, the F-150 looked nothing like its predecessors. For the 12th generation, which started in 2009, the F-150 graduated to a full-size truck platform. This year, the truck received the honors of “Best Redesigned Vehicle” as rated by Kelly Blue Book. In 2015, the present generation, more technology and safety features were added.
Performance Updates
In addition to changes in appearance, the F-150 has received mechanical changes over time. Four-wheel drive was added as a drivetrain in the late 1950s. Engine options were expanded in the 1960s, as was a new gearbox. In the 1970s, an entirely new kind of engine was placed under the F-150's hood. By the 1980s, you could order an F-150 with a V8 engine. This decade, Ford made an effort to improve fuel efficiency, too. Fuel injection technology was added to the engine lineup by the late 1980s. In the 1990s, customers could special order a rare diesel engine for their F-150 trucks. An overhead camshaft engine joined the collection in the late 1990s. Today, you can get the F-150 with either a V6 or a V8 engine. Both are available with a 10-speed automatic or a 10-speed manual transmission.
Since its debut, the Ford F-150 has been one of the market's most popular and desirable pickup trucks. Throughout history, it has been known for power and performance. Now, it's safer and more tech-savvy than ever. If you want a Ford F-150 to call your own, don't wait to contact us. With used F-150s in stock, we are looking forward to pairing you with the one you want.