Does anyone know the origin?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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Does anyone know the origin?
I know it's semi-off topic since this forum deals with the F100 and F150s are newer, but what does it all mean? The GM and Dodge pickups are designated 1500, 2500, 3500...WHY?...and WHY BOTH companies? Was 1500, a seemingly meaningless numerical designation, really such a clever label for that line of truck that the second company actually stole it from the first? If that is the half ton verson, why not call it a 1000 for the amount of weight it is rated to carry? And it would seem the Fords are the same, only with one less "0."
Anyway, I just saw another Dodge commercial and it's been a question I've had for years, I thought someone here might know the real answer.
Anyway, I just saw another Dodge commercial and it's been a question I've had for years, I thought someone here might know the real answer.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 262
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From: denver
Great question, Man.
I've often thought what fun it would have been to be a fly on the wall of some of those marketing meetings when they (whoever "they" were) made up this stuff! My god, are we so fickle that we bought more trucks when Ford added two zeros to the F-1's and so forth? And aint it amazing that "they" knew we would?
And this don't even get us to the place where every car was named some kind of animal...slim
I've often thought what fun it would have been to be a fly on the wall of some of those marketing meetings when they (whoever "they" were) made up this stuff! My god, are we so fickle that we bought more trucks when Ford added two zeros to the F-1's and so forth? And aint it amazing that "they" knew we would?
And this don't even get us to the place where every car was named some kind of animal...slim
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,789
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From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
No, I don’t know the real answer, but here is one from the inmates at this nut house, the original half tons (f1, f100) could supposedly carry 1000 lbs. or half of a ton, and then they upgraded the half tons to a bigger payload to 1500 lbs (f150) and the rest is just marketing. 
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
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From: Poway, Ca.
Well I read al lmy books looking for an answer fro you and couldn't find one.
1948 was the firstyear of the "F" designation which I'm assuming stood for Ford. And th etrucks were numbered upwards based on GVW capability.
1953 was Fords 50th Anniversary Year and the year the trucks were widely remodeled. Since the emphasis was on driver comfort more than ever, the cabs grea, the windows grew and the F-100 was born. Why the name change - might have had something to do with the Anniversay, or the remodel, maybe not.
Ford was in financial difficulty after WWII and sought to capture the truck market from Chevy. The Big Deal for Ford was the V8 engine. The "Bonus Built" trucks from 48-52 helped start that marketing strategy.
Could be the name was changed to make the truck sound "Mightier" to compete withthe Chevy and Dodge designations.
Anyway, I'm guessing. But at least this will bump you back up for another look see.
You might want to send a note to Number Dummy, as he retains a treasure chest of this kind of Ford (and other makes) minutia!
If I find out anything, I'll let you know.
1948 was the firstyear of the "F" designation which I'm assuming stood for Ford. And th etrucks were numbered upwards based on GVW capability.
1953 was Fords 50th Anniversary Year and the year the trucks were widely remodeled. Since the emphasis was on driver comfort more than ever, the cabs grea, the windows grew and the F-100 was born. Why the name change - might have had something to do with the Anniversay, or the remodel, maybe not.
Ford was in financial difficulty after WWII and sought to capture the truck market from Chevy. The Big Deal for Ford was the V8 engine. The "Bonus Built" trucks from 48-52 helped start that marketing strategy.
Could be the name was changed to make the truck sound "Mightier" to compete withthe Chevy and Dodge designations.
Anyway, I'm guessing. But at least this will bump you back up for another look see.
You might want to send a note to Number Dummy, as he retains a treasure chest of this kind of Ford (and other makes) minutia!
If I find out anything, I'll let you know.