Posted by staff writer of Hagerty:

Here are a few things about Ford’s popular pickup that most people don’t know about:

Earliest Ford pickup wasn’t an F-series.
Although Ford offered delivery-bodied cars sporadically since 1905 and one-ton trucks since 1917, its first factory-assembled “pickup” was built on April 15, 1925. The 33,795 1925 model T runabouts with pickup body sold for $281.

Why it was called the F-150?
The earliest use of the F-series name dates to the all-new 1948 Ford trucks, the half-ton model being the F-1. Ford made the jump to the F-100 name in 1953, but the F-150 nomenclature didn’t arrive until 1975. Why? This was a model that debuted to evade emissions requirements, as it was essentially a “heavy half” pickup rated at just over 6,000 pounds gross weight — the line in the sand drawn by the EPA at the time, which required catalytic converters and subsequently unleaded gasoline. International Harvester also did this for 1975 — its final year of pickup production — making all half-ton 100 models 150’s, to avoid installing catalytic converters. The final year of the F-100 was 1983 — by which time leaded vs. unleaded was a moot point.

Built all over North America, then there were two.
When introduced for 1948, The F-1 was built at all 16 U.S. assembly plants that also built Ford cars. In 1956, with trucks becoming more specialized along with the opening of the Detroit Truck Plant, Ford started consolidating truck production to fewer plants. Beginning in the late 1970’s, Ford split its North American assembly groups into car and truck. Today, only two plants build all F-150’s globally – the Kansas City Assembly Plant in suburban Claycomo, Mo., and the Dearborn Truck Plant near Dearborn, Mich.

Off-white or chrome?
The longest-running component that was constantly used on every single pickup and remained unchanged during the F-series era was the front bumper – from 1959 to 1979. (EDIT: We all know that is slightly incorrect because the 78/79 bumpers have squared shoulders)

I guess he liked it.
Sam Walton, founder of Walmart and one of the richest men in America, drove the same 1979 F-150 Custom 4x4 to work every day until he died in 1992. When asked why in an interview, he stated “What am I supposed to haul my dogs around in, a Rolls-Royce?” Today it can be seen enshrined in the company’s visitor’s center / museum in Bentonville, Ark.

 

Well, now you make me want to go to Bentonville to see ole' Sam's pick up.

Maybe someday people will go to a museum and say, "Look! That's Alice the wonder truck!"

 

Hopefully either after or before they see Shrek the turquoise turd, Sid the slow sloth, "Mater" like tomater without the ta, and maybe a new un-named as of yet 61 F350!

 

I thought that the same back glass was used from '73 to '96? Is that incorrect?

 

I could be wrong, but the back glass of my 75' doesn't look like it will fit into my 96'.

 

1957/79 F100/350 front bumpers:

1957/60 painted & chrome / 1961/63 painted & chrome / 1964/77, 1978 before serial number AG0,001 painted & chrome.

1973/77 Ranger XLT & 1978 Ranger XLT/Lariat before serial number AG0,001 chrome w/horizontal bumper pads / 1978 from serial number AG0,001 & 1979 painted & chrome.

1978 Ranger XLT/Lariat from serial number AG0,001 & 1979 Ranger XLT/Lariat chrome with horizontal bumper pads.

 

I was going to start a thread on what part had the longest run on all the trucks. Didn't think it would have been bumpers. Do lug nuts count?

Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup

 

Rear glass IS the same from '73 - '96.

 

Thanks to Ranger 429 here is a blast from the past.

Here are the differences between these models. I also have found out that for the 78/79 Bronco it was available as a Custom or Ranger XLT model only. They did not offer the Ranger package only on the Bronco.

Custom:
Pretty much your stripped down version although it could have been ordered with just about any individual option you wanted to put on it. A Custom model included: low back bucket seats, vinyl floor mat for the front only, 25 gallon gas tank, manual steering, 4 speed trans with the 351 motor and the 205 case.
Exterior features were:
hub caps, black painted bumpers and the stainless mirrors.
Ranger:
Not offered on the Bronco, only available in the F-series lineup. Those upgrades were:
The bench seat had a chain mail vinyl seat upholstery, it also included a color matching vinyl floormat, sunvisors, seat back covers in the regular cab model and white headliner with chrome trim.
Ranger XLT:
The front seat used a combination of cloth and vinyl, insulated woodgrain door panels, carpeted flooring, woodgrain around instrument cluster, passenger dash and the glove box, woodtone on the steering wheel horn button, chrome trim around taillights and halogen headlights. The XLT also got the body side trim.
Exterior:
Chrome bumpers, chrome molding around the windshield and side windows in the top, chrome molding around the drip rail by door, chrome wheel well lip molding, rear T-gate chrome pieces, and the body side trim.
Lariat:
Not offered on the Bronco, only available in the F-series lineup. Those upgrades were:
Full cloth seat trimmed in super soft vinyl, door trim panels that included padded inserts, map pockets on the lower door, button quilted padded headliner and extra insulation.
Options available:
These are the only options that I have prices on. Below are some additional options.
400 engine............................................ .....................$165.00
included 12 inch diameter clutch and 53 amp/hr battery
Traction lock front axle.............................................. ...$175.00
Traction lock rear axle.............................................. ....$175.00
Automatic trans............................................. .............$197.00
came with oil cooler and 53 amp/hr battery
Power steering.......................................... ..................$211.00
Heavy duty suspension........................................ .........$104.50
Forged aluminum wheels............................................ ... $218.30
Forged aluminum polished wheels....................................$304.30
When combined with the free wheeling package................$129.10
White painted styled steel wheels...................................$175.20
when combined with the free wheeling package.................$43.20
Rear seat.............................................. .....................$287.20
Quad front shocks............................................ ............$74.00
Swing away tire carrier Ranger XLT..................................$60.60
Swing away tire carrier Custom.......................................$81.6 0
Skid plates............................................ ......................$123.10
Rear stabilzer bar............................................... ...........$25.00
Tilt steering.......................................... ........................$72.00
Free Wheeling pacakge on a Custom................................$558.45
Free Wheeling Package XLT...........................................$385 .05
Ranger XLT package........................................... ...........$668.90

Additional options:
Appearance:
Chrome bumpers
Wheel well molding
Body side trim
GT bar with foam padding
Grilles. There were 3 different options for the front grille. Black, Silver or Argent with chrome accent. I have seen Black on an XLT and the Argent with chrome on an XLT. I am not sure how they decided what grille to put on what truck.
Audio:
AM radio
AM/FM mono radio (1 speaker in dash)
AM/FM stereo (speakers in door panels)
AM/digital clock radio
40 channel CB radio with antenna. This was available on all radio options. A simple way to tell if it had a CB originally if all wiring is gone look for an ash tray on the driver side cargo panel. If there is no ash tray it originally had a CB.
Comfort/convenience:
A/C
Comfort vent heater ( I think this was also the HI-LO option)
Insulation package
Rear floor mat (Custom only)
Front captain chairs (available in 79 only)
Front bench seat
Rear seat
Center console ( only available with buckets)
Convenience group ( intermittent wipers, map paockets and 12 inch day/night mirror)
Lighted visor mirror passenger side only
Privacy glass for top
sliding windows for top
tinted glass all
Western mirror, low mount(normal folding style mirror)
Recreation mirrors (towing mirrors)
GT sport steering wheel with simulated leather wrap ( not available with cruise)
Simulated leather wrapped steering wheel

Cruise control
Light group (ash tray, glovebox, underhood, instrument panel courtesy lights and dome light with map lights)
Swing away spare tire carrier ( stock when ordered with (5) 10x15 tires) with vinly tire cover
Performance:
Quad shocks (gas filled)
Handling package (rear sway bar, quad shocks up front and dual gas filled rear shocks)
Automatic trans
600 watt engine heater
Heavy duty suspension (HD front springs, HD rear springs and front sway bar)
Rear sway bar
Gauges (oil and amp)
32 gallon gas tank with skid plate
Skid plates for 25 gallon tank and T-case
Trailer towing package
Protection:
Tow hooks (front)
Locking hood release
Exterior protection group. Consists of door edge guards, front bumper guards and front bumper rubber strip.
Security lock group. Consisted of locking gas cap, locking hood release, spare tire lock and locking glove box.
Free Wheelin:
Standard features were:
Black bumpers front and rear, Dual black low mount western style mirrors, (5) 15x6 painted steel wheels in either white or chrome yellow with L78x15 raised white letter tires and of course the custom chromatic tape stripe found on the black Bronco. There were also 2 other stripe color combinations, Orange/Tan/Creme or Blue/White/Green.
Trailer Special:
Now according to my book the 1st year for the Trailer Special was 79. I have seen a few members here that have 78 Trailer Special's. There were 2 categories for the Trailer Special.
Light duty trailer towing package:
Good for towing up to 2,000lbs.
This package included a heavy duty radiator, external oil cooler, seven lead trailer harness, heavy duty turn signal flasher and the Trailer Special emblem on the T-gate.
Heavy duty trailer towing package:
Good for towing up to 6,000lbs.
This package included a heavy duty alternator,heavy duty battery, HD rear shocks, bigger radiator, rear sway bar, swing out recreational mirrors, amp meter, oil pressure gauge, HD front springs, external oil cooler and the Trailer Special emblem on the T-gate.

Transfer Cases
The T-case on an NP 203 (full time case) will have a shift pattern like this.
4 low lock
-
N
-
4 high lock

The NP 205 (part time case) will have this shift pattern

4 low
N
2 high
4 high

 

Did not know that about the rear windows. Thanks guys! Good piece of information.

 

You couldn't drive a truck without them.

E8AZ-1012-A (replaced C0AZ-1012-A, B-1012-A, B-1012) .. Lug Nut 1/2" -20.

1932/96 myriad FoMoCo vehicles / 1997/2013 E150.

 

Classic Bill, absolutely classic. Sorry to say Tedster he got ya on that one, lol.

 

Yeah yeah yeah, lol. Looks like I'm correct though!! Anybody got some choices for longest parts commonality? Lug nuts, maybe brake bleeder screws? Or possibly certain bulbs.

Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup

 

Open your peepers and read post 11 again. SAME 1/2" -20 lug nuts used for 81 years.

6 volt bulbs used 1928/1955, 12V bulbs since 1956.

Bleeder screws ~ 1939: First year FoMoCo vehicles came with 'juice' brakes. Prior years, brakes operated by cables & rods.

 

Yes but around 1998 or so they went from 1157 and 1156 bulbs, to 3157 and 3156. The older round socket type bulb gave way to the newer spade type bulb. (I used the newer sockets in my monster truck so I could use the modern bulbs. ....mainly because I had the sockets and bulbs laying around from parted out trucks)