FORD F 150

FORD F 150

Ford F150 is part of the F-Series, a descriptor used to cover the entire succession of Ford pickups that have been in production for 60 years. Since that genesis, millions of Ford F 150 trucks have been sold. In fact, the F-Series has been the most popular vehicle sold in the United States for nearly every year of the past three decades.

Originally conceived as a rugged, no-frills workhorse, the Ford F 150 has since morphed into a well-appointed ride. Versatility is the goal: This pickup truck can handle the needs of small businesses with the same aplomb it brings to a night on the town. And it isn't just ranchers and contractors who cherish it: Anyone who needs to tow a boat, haul stuff or transport recreational cargo can take the Ford F 150 to heart.

There's a lot of competition in the full-size pickup truck market segment these days. To keep its truck fresh, Ford F 150recently introduced a fully redesigned Ford F 150, which boasts more power and new features. Used F-150s are also a great choice, as the truck's wide array of configurations and numbers sold means you're almost guaranteed of finding the right one for your needs.

FORD F 150

Ever the jack of all trades, the Ford F 150 is available in 10 trim levels. As before there are base XL, the popularly equipped XLT, sporty STX, rugged FX2/FX4, luxurious Lariat, even plusher Lariat Limited, horse saddle-inspired King Ranch and the flashy Platinum. Ford F 150 is also the leather-and-chrome-trimmed Harley-Davidson version as well as the extreme off-road machine called the SVT Raptor. There are three cab sizes and three bed lengths.
For Ford F 150 2011, the engine line was completely revamped, effectively addressing the previous complaint about the otherwise competent truck being down on power compared to burlier rivals. Ford F 150 302-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 is the base engine, while the other choices (depending on trim level) consist of a 360-hp 5.0-liter V8, a 365-hp twin-turbo ("EcoBoost") V6 and a 411-hp 6.2-liter V8. Ford F 150 all come matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Ford F 150 feature highlights again include Sync (Ford's popular voice-command system for cell phones and the audio system), a navigation system and a back-up camera. Standard safety features include stability control and all manner of airbags.
In reviews, we've found the Ford F 150 's ride and handling to be superb and its interior comfortable and quiet. The newFord F 150 powertrain lineup provides performance ranging from adequate to downright thrilling. Existing in its own ultra-specialized world, the incredibly capable, desert-racing-inspired SVT Raptor stands apart from all other pickup trucks.

FORD F 150

The Ford F 150 was redesigned for the 2009 model year. The styling, with its tall front end, big grille and slab-sided body said "truck" in a commanding voice. The interior was a far cry from the no-frills cowboy conveyance of yore, and in upscale Platinum trim, the Ford F 150 gave one the impression of sitting in a plush Lincoln. Ford F 150's Sync system, which allows voice control over one's cell phone and the audio system, became available, as did navigation and a back-up camera. Stability control and a full complement of airbags were standard equipment.
Ford F 150 powertrain choices consisted of three V8s: a base 4.6-liter V8 (248 hp), a high-output 4.6-liter (292 hp) and a 5.4-liter (310-hp). Ford F 150 4.6 was paired to a four-speed automatic transmission, while the other two came mated to a six-speed automatic. The base V8 was a bit outmatched by the truck's heft, so either of the more powerful V8s will be better choices for most buyers.
The following year, the Harley-Davidson trim level returned and an extreme off-road version dubbed the SVT Raptor debuted, sporting a wider track and a full complement of serious hardware such as ultra heavy-duty suspension components, full skid plates and massive Baja-ready tires. The 5.4-liter V8 was standard for the Raptor while a new 6.2-liter powerhouse with 400 hp was optional. Beyond that, the Flareside body style was phased out.
The previous-generation Ford F 150 was introduced for 2004 and ran through 2008. In keeping with tradition, it was available in a variety of trim levels and body styles. Ford F 150 XL was the basic truck and the STX offered a few additional features, but the volume-selling XLT provided the best bang for the buck. You'll also encounter the off-road-oriented FX4 trim level, the sporty FX2 (in 2007), the luxurious Lariat, the even plusher Lariat Limited (for 2008) and the thematic King Ranch and Harley-Davidson editions. During this Ford F 150 truck's run, available engines included a 202-hp 4.2-liter V6, a 231-hp 4.6-liter V8 and a 300-hp 5.4-liter V8. In 2007, the 4.6-liter V8 got a power upgrade to 248 hp. Harley-Davidson models had a supercharged V8 that cranked out 450 hp.
Almost all variants had a four-speed automatic transmission from 2004-'08, but the V6 came standard with a five-speed manual. All Ford F 150 trim levels and body styles could be configured as either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, although the FX4 trim came standard with four-wheel drive.

In reviews, we found this generation Ford F 150 to be the best in the long history of the pickup. Ride and handling were excellent, and the interiors were attractive and functional. Ford F 150 Acceleration and braking, however, were lackluster, and we often found the F-150, even with larger engies, to be underpowered relative to the competition. The truck's heft and old-school four-speed transmissions didn't help.
The 1997-2003 Ford F 150 model wasn't as refined as the 2004-'08 model, but it was a capable truck. When it debuted, its smooth exterior styling was a dramatic departure from the angular previous Ford F 150' s. Cab styles, trim levels and powertrains were an improvement over the pre-1997 models. Ford F 150 Engines included a 4.2-liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8 and a 5.4-liter V8. In 2000, the first Harley-Davidson edition was released. The King Ranch trim and the crew cab body style were introduced in 1998. In 1999, the high-performance Lightning version, which had been added in 1993 but discontinued in 1997, reappeared.
Prior to 1997, Ford F 150 models placed utility first and luxury second. These trucks were available in two body styles and a few trim levels. The XLT Lariat was typically the top trim until the Eddie Bauer trim debuted in 1995. Main engines choices were a 4.9-liter inline-6, a 5.0-liter V8 and a 5.8-liter V8.