Ford F-series History
The legendary F-series pickups, which can also include the Ford F-150 Raptor, have been produced for more than 60 years. The first car was made already in 1948, and the modification F-150 came out in the 1970s. From the 9th generation, the trucks were "reclassified" to a separate model. Now they are the world sales leader in their class. Every year the pickups are sold in quantities of more than 800,000 copies.
1 Generation 1991-1996
The first version of the Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup coming with 3 cab options - single, one-and-a-half, and double cab.
Externally the truck does not differ much from the previous model. The front end received rectangular headlights. There is a big chrome radiator grille between the headlights, in the center of which is the company's logo. Also, a massive chrome front bumper draws attention.
The inside of the Ford F-150 looked nicer than the exterior. Up front, there are two comfortable seats, each with an armrest. The driver's seat has a good forward/backward adjustment, so anyone can find the best position. In front of the driver is a 2-spoke steering wheel. Behind it is a simple but clear dashboard.
The pickup was equipped with an atmospheric petrol V-shaped 6-cylinder engine, with a working volume of 4.2 liters. The power of the engine was 202 horsepower. It was equipped with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
The Ford F-150 had an independent lever-type suspension up front and a dependent rear structure, which was suspended on leaf springs. The steering was already equipped with hydraulic power steering.
2 Generation (1996-2004)
The next generation (10th in the F-series) came out in 1996 and was sold until 2004. In addition to the V6, it was also equipped with a powerful 8-cylinder V-shaped engine. Externally the truck was seriously changed. The front end was not as masculine and rough as before. The front end had flowing lines and a small grille with smaller cells.
There are also fog lights on the front bumper. A third brake light was installed on the rear window. The taillights also had a smooth and simple shape.
The interior has changed the shape of the steering wheel, seats, and torpedo. The dashboard was slightly changed, now two large semicircles are for the speedometer on the left and the tachometer on the right. On their sides, engineers placed other important gauges. The central console on the sides received vertical air deflectors and in the center, there is a place for the music system and climate control unit.
For efficient braking, the Ford f150, which weighs 1,809-2,127 kg, engineers have equipped the model with ventilated disc mechanisms and an abs system.
3 Generation (2004-2008)
The 3rd generation Ford F-150 pickup has visibly matured. It is immediately visible from the front of the car. It is distinguished by large optics, a solid radiator grille, which received wide vents. Fog lights are installed in the bumper.
Side mirrors got clear, regular, rectangular shapes. The car also changed in the rear, where there were already rectangular optics with a more interesting design. It is hard not to notice the inflated wheel arches with stylish wheels.
The Interior of the new Ford F-150 III is considerably changed. The steering wheel became four-spoked, and the dashboard became much more informative. The deflectors of the ventilation system became round.
The central console initially looks a bit overloaded with buttons, but over time you can easily get used to it. In the extended-cab version, the second row had comfortable seats that could easily accommodate 3 adult passengers.
The third-generation Ford F-150 had a variety of gasoline-powered, atmospheric engines. The model was equipped with a powerful 6- or 8-cylinder V-shaped engine. Engine displacement ranged from 4.2 to 5.4 liters, and their output was 202 and 304 horsepower. There was only one gearbox option with the engines: a 4-speed automatic. But it was possible to choose between all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions.
4 generation (2008-2014)
The 4th generation was unveiled during the North American Motor Show in 2008. The exterior is much better. The pickup is a deeply modernized past version, although it represents a new generation. The forms of the car have become more restrained and flat, with straight angles, as well as massive fenders and bumpers. It is worth noting the new optics, and modified radiator grille. Otherwise, the car almost has not changed. The model can be easily recognized in the city traffic.
On the interior of the car, a lot more changes have been made. The first thing that catches the eye is the large, comfortable seats, as well as the disappeared gearbox switch near the steering wheel. Now it is installed on the right side of the driver on the tunnel. The instrument panel has two large round gauges of speedometer and tachometer. Between them, there is a small display of board computer. At the very top, there are other gauges.
Free space inside the 4th generation Ford F-150 is plentiful. The central console has already familiar round deflectors, framed in chrome. Between them is placed radio, and below the block of climate control. Ford also equipped its pickup with the Sync 2 generation system, which has an 8-inch touchscreen.
There are more engine options. One of the new engines is the fuel-efficient 3.5-liter six-cylinder Ecoboost. it has 165 horsepower, while the 3.7-liter V-version has 302 horsepower. In addition, there are two variants of the V-8 engine, which have a displacement of 5.0 and 6.2 liters. Their power output is 360 and 411 horsepower, respectively.
5 generation (2015-2020)
The next 5th generation Ford F-150 was presented in January 2014 during the North American Auto Show. The car became better than the last generation by many parameters. It has a brutal appearance, progressive technology, powerful gasoline engines, and rich equipment.
The front end got new headlight optics, a modified front radiator grille, and a new front bumper, where the air intake and a pair of fog lights were installed. The central part of the new Ford F-150's grille has a large Ford emblem. The hood received a relief structure, which gives the front of the American pickup an aggressive and brutal appearance.
The rear end of the vehicle has a flip-up side with a "Ford" badge, as well as the nameplate in the center. Also at the rear, there are effective parking lights, which became LED. For the license plate, the company has made a deep recess that protects it from splashes of dirt, precipitation, or dust. As for the wide exhaust pipe of the updated 12th-generation Ford F-150, it was taken out to the right to provide comfort to the drivers behind. The cargo area was also supplemented with a step, which greatly simplified the loading/unloading process.
The Interior has well-thought-out ergonomics, and quality materials, which include polished aluminum, wood, leather, and high-quality soft plastic. On the front row of the new Ford F-150 thirteenth generation, you can notice the impressive seats, which stand out for their comfortable fit. They received a wide range of adjustments, so almost everyone can sit comfortably behind the wheel of a large pickup. As a separate option, you can install an electric drive for the seats. The interior stands out for its rigor and attractiveness.
As for the central part, it is equipped with massive vertical ducts, a 9-inch multimedia center display, as well a laconic control unit of the climate system. There are quite a few additional keys that are responsible for various systems of the vehicle.
A total of four petrol and one diesel engine is available. The base is a 2.7-liter 6-cylinder V-shaped Ecoboost engine with 325 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. Next is the 3.3-liter Ti-VCT six-cylinder motor, producing 290 horsepower and 265 Nm of torque. In addition, there is a powerful 3.5-liter V6, with 375 horsepower. The most powerful propulsion system can be considered a 5.0-liter V8 Ti-VCT engine, which has 395 hp. Diesel enthusiasts will love the 247 hp (600 Nm) 3.0-liter PowerStroke engine.