The Ford F-150 has been a tried and true truck, dominating the road for many years. The F-Series is marketed as a range of full-size pickup trucks with capabilities for everyone’s needs. Unsure which year suits you? Read on for a breakdown of each generation.
1st Generation: 1975-1979
In the middle of the sixth generation of Ford F-Series trucks, the first version F-150 was unveiled in 1975. Though smaller than the F-250, it was bigger than the F-100. Both the regular and super cab versions of the half-ton F-150 were available. An inline six-cylinder with only 113 horsepower was the standard engine. There were two V8 engine choices, each producing 145 and 160 horsepower. Its distinguishing circular headlamps and broad rectangular grille are still visible today. In 1976, a second V8 engine choice was made available, and in 1977, other V8 options received a much-needed horsepower boost. In 1978, rectangular headlights took the place of circular ones, but further significant design modifications were rare. Both an automatic transmission and a three-speed manual transmission were available.
2nd Generation: 1980-1986
With the same wheelbase and load capacity but reduced weight, the second-generation Ford F-150, the seventh iteration of the F-Series pickup, was released for the 1980 model year. The second generation's highlights included improved design with an egg-crate grille, a more refined ride, and options for regular and super cabs. 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 in addition to the inline six-cylinder engine, which remained the standard. In 1981, a four-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions were released. Ford introduced fuel injection for the base V8 and inline 6-cylinder engines in 1985. Ford updated the F-Series badging for 1982, swapping out the "FORD" hood lettering for the Ford Blue Oval grille symbol.
3rd Generation: 1987-1991
With the same wheelbase and load capacity but reduced weight, the second-generation Ford F-150, the seventh incarnation of the F-Series pickup, was released for the 1980 model year. The second generation's highlights included improved design with an egg-crate grille, a more refined ride, and options for normal and super cabs. The 1987 Ford F-150 introduced a somewhat more rounded design than the previous model while maintaining the same engine choices with increased horsepower. The four-speed automatic transmission was made an option, while the four-speed manual transmission became standard. The F-150 became more tolerable as a daily driver and even as a family vehicle with additional modifications to the ride dynamics. For the 1988 model year, three- or four-speed automatic gearboxes were available as options in addition to the base five-speed manual transmission. Ford first made available the Nite Edition F-150 in 1991. All Nite Editions were four-wheel drive XLT Lariats that were only offered in regular-cab configuration and were only available in black with blacked-out trim.
4th Generation: 1992-1996
The F-Series saw the introduction of the fourth-generation F-150. The 1992 F-150 had a redesigned hood and fascia along with a more aerodynamic body. A base inline six-cylinder engine or the same V8 engines, including a 5.0-liter or 5.8-liter, were both offered. Three-speed automatic, four-speed manual, four-speed automatic, or five-speed manual transmissions might be used with these engines.
5th Generation: 1997-2003
The automaker's most radical revamp in more than ten years was warmly received. Both the regular and mega cab layouts adopted the new design. It had a more rounded shape and was designed to be used as a transporter and a passenger car with strong towing capabilities. The F-250 and one-ton F-350 Super Duty vehicles were still available for business use after this adjustment. The redesigned chassis for the more streamlined F-150 was lighter and replaced the twin-I-beam front suspension with a torsion-bar system. Ford switched to a 4.2-liter V6 engine in place of the inline six-cylinder unit, while the V8 alternatives were upgraded to 4.6 and 5.4-liter engines with over 200 horsepower. The base transmission remained a five-speed manual.
6th Generation: 2004-2008
The 5.4-liter Triton V8 remained an option and was only offered with an automatic transmission, while the base V6 engine from the previous year carried over with a five-speed manual transmission being standard. The F-150 received numerous awards thanks to its 6.5- or 8-foot bed options, five-star safety rating, and laudable redesign that introduced the sixth generation of pickup trucks. It further established itself as a vehicle for the family as well as a work truck. Customers responded favorably, increasing Ford trucks' nationwide annual sales.
7th Generation: 2009-2014
The F-150 was refined throughout the seventh generation with tiny modifications like heated seats, HID headlights, and other upscale features that keep the F-150 from only being a work transporter but still a suitable family car. With a special grille, 20-inch chrome wheels, heated and ventilated seats, and premium leather upholstery, the Platinum trim level debuted for the seventh generation. The 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 powertrain provided the motivation for the 2014 F-150 Tremor when it was introduced to the lineup. The Ford truck in question was essentially a regular-cab F-150 with the Tremor package installed, which included distinctive aesthetics, an electronically locked 4.10:1 rear differential, 20-inch wheels with 275/55 Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, and the choice of rear- or four-wheel drive.
8th Generation: 2015-2020
The F-150 in this generation is larger than prior generations and has a variety of engines, including a base V6 engine, a 2.7-liter, 3.5-liter EcoBoost turbo V6, a 3.0-liter turbo diesel, or a 5.0-liter V8 engine. There were three different configurations: normal, crew, and super cab. It maintained its position at the vanguard of automotive technology with luxuries like LED headlamps, cutting-edge safety systems, automatic start-stop, and a 10-speed automatic transmission. In 2017, the Raptor underwent revisions and gained a more potent 510-horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine as standard equipment.
9th Generation: 2021-Present
This generation has a number of significant modifications, including the F-150 PowerBoost, a new hybrid vehicle. The hybrid powertrain is available on all F-150 model levels and boasts a range of at least 700 miles (with the gas engine and motor combined). It uses a 3.5-liter EcoBoost turbo V6 engine with a 35 kW electric motor. 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 are the five engine options that remain from the previous generation. For 2022, the XL, XLT, Lariat, and Platinum trim levels can use an all-new Black Appearance package. The Bed Utility Package, which is available on the XL, XLT, Lariat, and Tremor trims and comes standard on the King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims, is another new addition.
A 450-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine is available in the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor, but the Raptor R will have more power. According to rumors, the Raptor R could use the 760-horsepower supercharged V8 engine from the Shelby Mustang GT500 to take on the RAM TRX. Ford unveiled the Rattler for 2022 as well, a cost-effective off-road trim package based on the standard XL model.
Conclusion
Now you have a better idea of what each generation will have to offer you and which will suit your needs the best. Come take a look at our Ford F-150s today.