What was the first year a 3rd door was available on an F150? Also, what engines were available for that year and which one is best for towing?

 

Ford brought out the new (97) F-150 in February '96, and that was also the start of the 3rd door. In 99 you could get both rear doors on a supercab.

In towing, It all really depends on your trailering needs. If you pull a 16' car-trailer, then I would advise you to get a 5.4l w/3.55 gears. If you pull a single Jetski, then a 4.6l is fine. Realize that the 5.4l has more power, but you will have to sacrifice your mpg.

 

The third door was first available on the '97 SC. Engines--4.2-v-6, and a 4.6 (210 hp)-v8-& later in the year a 5.4l-v8- with 235hp with 330 ft/lbs of torque. With the F150, with a tr tow pkg, which includes a 3.55 rear end--4.6--reg cab--4x2--7200 lbs, SC--7000 lbs, 4x4--RC-6800 lbs, SC-6600 lbs. With 5.4-RC-4x2-8200 lbs, SC 7800 lbs, 4x4 -6800 lbs. RC, 6600 lbs. SC. The F250 with trailer tow and a 3.73 2x4--RC--8700 lbs, SC 8600 lbs, 4x4--Rc-8300 lbs, SC-8300 lbs. I don't think I would do much trailer towing with the v-6 unless they were pretty light.--RC-3.55-4x2-5800 lbs, SC-5600 lbs.

 

I believe that the third door was availible in the 97' model year. As for engines I think they had the 4.2L, 4.6L & 5.4L

 

There is a debate going on in another forum, (aol automotive) about who had the idea for the third door on an extended cab truck first. I know Ford put it on the '97 when it was first released in '96 and gm followed soon thereafter. I have read that it was Ford's idea, at least they got certain patents involved in the third door design, and also that Ford had the rights to calling it a door and everybody else's was actually to be known as an access hatch. Well, I know that now everybody is calling it a door and I cannot find any articles that tell the story about who's idea it was. In the debate there is a guy claiming that it was gm's idea and Ford simply beat them to production with it. If anybody has seen any articles on this I would appreciate a message to let me know where I can find it.