The first F-Series, called the F-1 (half ton), F-2 (three-quarter ton), or F-3 (Heavy Duty), were introduced as 1948 models. A few "modern" improvements over Ford's previous pickups were smoother body contours, integrated headlights, a bigger cab and a one-piece windshield. Two engines were available: a 226-cubic-inch inline six rated at 95 horsepower and a 239-c.i. V8 that put out 100 horses.
1951 brought a new base engine, a 215-c.i. inline six with 101 horsepower.
The F-Series continued through 1952 with some cosmetic revisions (such as different grille inserts) as well as mechanical upgrades (such as a waterproof ignition) to improve performance and durability.
1953-1956
A somewhat sleeker look appeared for 1953, with the hood flowing into the grille and front fenders, as opposed to sitting on top of them. The consumer-oriented pickups were now called the F-100 and F-250. Heavy-duty versions were renamed F-350. For
1954 the "Mileage Maker" inline six grew to 223 c.i. and put out 115 horsepower. The 239 "Power King" V8 kicked out 130 ponies. A "Driverized Cab" option provided such luxuries as armrests, a dome light, a cigar lighter and sun visors. Minor cosmetic updates, mainly in the grille area, continued through 1956. Horsepower also increased, with the six rated at 137 horsepower and the V8 (increased in size to 272 c.i.) pumping out 173 horsepower.
1957-1960
A modern restyle occurred for 1957 with a lower hood that was now flush with the front fenders. Two body styles were available, the traditional Flareside with its separate rear fenders and a new Styleside model with smooth sides that lended a more unified appearance.
A new grille debuted for 1958.
1959 saw a larger V8 (292 c.i., 186 horsepower), the availability of four-wheel drive and two-tone interior trim along with the traditional front-end freshening. The clean '59 grille gave way to a heavy, bug-eyed scheme for 1960.
1961-1966
1961 brought a complete redesign. The F-Series went back to single headlights and the trucks were lower and wider than before. Flareside and Styleside boxes continued to be available, and the Stylesides had a one-piece cab and box for a smoother look.
Yearly grille changes again took place, and in 1965 three new engines debuted: 240- and 300-c.i. inline sixes, with 150 and 170 horsepower, respectively, and a 352-c.i. V8 with 208 horses.
1967-1972
A new, smoother body style debuted for 1967 that also provided a roomier cab with more glass area. Three trim levels; base, custom and Ranger were now offered. The Ranger had carpeting, plusher seats and chrome exterior trim (such as the grille) standard.
In 1968 functional improvements came about: a new, 360-c.i. V8 replaced the 352, and a 390 V8 was now available. F-100 models featured a new, "Mono-Beam" front suspension with coil springs instead of the leaf springs, which the F-250s still had.
A Crew Cab (four-door pickup truck) was offered for 1969.
1970 offered F-Series buyers a choice of four trim levels: Custom, Sport, Ranger and the top dog Ranger XLT. A 302-c.i. V8 with 220 horsepower was now optional in addition to the former engine choices.
Grille designs changed slightly to update the 1971 and 1972 models.
1973-1979
Ford's popular pickup was updated and improved in many ways for 1973. A beefier frame, a roomier cab, an optional 460-c.i. V8, an optional automatic transmission and Twin-I-Beam (Twin-Traction Beam on four-wheel-drive models) front suspension were the more notable functional changes. A new body topped these changes and featured a concave groove that ran the length of the body and a cleaner grille with integrated turn signals.
The big news for 1974 was the introduction (late in the model year) of the extended cab version of the F-Series, called the SuperCab. A SuperCab was available only with the Styleside body and could be fitted with either a bench seat or a pair of jump seats in the rear compartment.
Aside from minor facelifts in the grille area, the F-Series continued through 1976 with little change.
Engine choices were revised for 1977 with 351- (163 horsepower) and 400-c.i. (169 horses) V8s replacing the 360 V8 option.
For 1978, the 300-c.i. inline six (114 horsepower) became the standard base engine and square headlights debuted (on all models except Custom). The luxurious Ranger Lariat was introduced that year as well as a new, more massive grille.
1979 brought square headlights for all F-Series trucks.
1980-1986
Entering the eighties, Ford's 1980 trucks sported an evolutionary, more aerodynamic redesign. The face of the hood was slanted rearward, the grille had a cleaner look and the body sides were more chiseled with a flatter accent groove. The SuperCab's quarter windows were split for a twin window effect. A bonus of the revamped interior was 10 percent more legroom. Flareside (regular cab only) and Styleside (regular or SuperCab) styles were again offered and the big 460 V8 was dropped from the option list.
1982 saw the "FORD" letters on the hood replaced by the blue Ford oval in the grille center and the fitment of new, "lubed for life" ball joints. The Ranger name was dropped from trim lines, as it would be the moniker for a new compact pickup that Ford introduced later that year. F-Series models now consisted of base, XL, XLT and XLT Lariat.
1983 saw engine offerings increased to again include the 460 V8 (or 7.5-liter, as now engine sizes were referred to in liters) with 245 horsepower and a 6.9-liter diesel V8. The diesel had less horsepower (170 horses) than a gas engine of equal size but a lot more torque for heavy hauling and towing duty. And this was the last year for the F-100, as the F-150 became the new base truck for 1984.
No changes occurred for 1985 and 1986.
History continued