10 Most Underrated Ford Trucks in History

Intro

Ford has built some wonderful trucks over the years. Some models are recognized for their greatness right away. Others are not immediate hits but are now looked back on fondly. Other trucks continue to fly under the radar forever. Not because they're bad trucks, but because they are usually overshadowed by another model. For example, the Raptor R grabs headlines because of its incredible power output and off-road ability. And the Power Stroke Super Duty models steal the spotlight because of their incredible towing abilities.

So, what are some of these overlooked and underrated Ford trucks that are overshadowed? Well, there are quite a few, but we cut the list down to just ten. Do you have other Ford trucks that you think are underrated? Please share the trucks that you think should be added to our list. In order from oldest to newest, these are our ten.

1. 1948 F-1

By 1948, Ford had already been building trucks for a couple of decades. However, the F-1 was the start of something new. No longer would Ford build trucks based on cars. This was a big deal, but could anyone have predicted the F-1 would be the start of the most successful line of vehicles in American history? The 1948 F-1 is perhaps the most important truck ever. It was the beginning of the F-Series. The F-Series has been the best-selling truck in America for nearly 50 years now. As much as people respect the 1948 F-1, it remains underrated simply because it is so historically significant.

2. 1965 F-100

The introduction of the Twin I-Beam independent front suspension, in many ways, signaled the beginning of the modern Ford truck. It was introduced for the first time in 1965. It made the trucks significantly more comfortable to drive. And that same basic twin I-beam design would continue to be used by Ford for over 30 years. The 1965 truck doesn’t get the respect it deserves for this significant suspension advancement.  

3. 1978 – 1979 F-100/F-150

There were no major changes for these model years on the F-100 and F-150 models. There were some cool options, such as the Free Wheeling package. So, why are these trucks underrated? Because of the Ford Bronco. The second-generation Bronco was produced for model years 1978 and 1979. It was a significant departure from the first-generation Broncos with a much bigger size and standard V8 engine. But what they were was essentially an F-100/F-150 with a hardtop instead of a truck bed. Many folks love these 1978-1979 Broncos, but the truck it is based on doesn’t have nearly the same following.  

4. 1987 – 1991 F-150

The third-generation F-150 trucks are like the forgotten middle child. They don’t have the aerodynamic looks of the newer generations. But they also don’t have the classic looks of the older generations. But these are still great trucks. And they have a critical technological advancement that we take for granted today: electronic fuel injection. That made the trucks more powerful and more efficient.

5. 1993 – 1995 F-150 SVT Lightning

A Ford street performance truck before street performance trucks were popular. The styling was subtle considering its performance. And these trucks were only around for a few years before they disappeared. However, they left their mark on the performance truck landscape. Today, the "Lightning" is an all-electric pickup truck, and as capable as that truck is, it erodes the legacy of the original SVT Lightning. Ford collectors and serious Ford enthusiasts know what this truck is, but the vast majority of the population wouldn’t look twice at it.  

6. 1999 Super Duty

We are now a quarter century removed from the introduction of the Super Duty line. The Super Duty has gone on to be a major success for Ford. These 1999 trucks started it all. They were built on a heavy-duty chassis and had some heavy-duty engines to go with it. Engine options included a V10 gasoline engine or the legendary 7.3L Power Stroke diesel. Soon after, these diesel engines would get more powerful but also more complex thanks to tighter emissions standards. The first year Super Duty trucks should get more love than they do.

7. 2002 Lincoln Blackwood

The Lincoln Blackwood was a sales flop, no two ways about it. After just one year, it was dead. It was a luxury pickup truck, which was absurd in 2002. But this truck may have been ahead of its time. Sure, a carpeted truck bed is silly, but in 2025, there are quite a few luxury trucks and SUVs on the road. Is a 2025 F-150 Platinum really all that different from a Lincoln Blackwood? These old Lincoln trucks are rare, interesting, and predicted the future. They are underrated.

8. 2010 F-150 Raptor 5.4L

When the F-150 Raptor first hit the streets in 2010, a 5.4L V8 making 310 horsepower was the standard engine. The 6.2L V8 with 411 horsepower was an option. After just one year, the 6.2L became the standard engine and the 5.4L was dropped. The 6.2L was obviously a significant upgrade. But the 5.4L Raptor is still a great truck. Yes, it is slower to 60 mph by about 1.5 seconds, but the 5.4L Raptor can tackle all the same trails as the 6.2L version. The 5.4L Raptor is forgotten to history and that is a shame because it is still a game changing truck.

9. 2022+ Maverick

Many dismiss the little Ford Maverick because it is not a ‘real truck’ in their eyes. But the Maverick does as many truck things as most people ever need. There is nothing wrong with bigger, more powerful trucks. But if you never use that capability, does it really make sense to spend the extra cash on features you will never take advantage of? Give the little Maverick a chance. We think you will like it once you try it.

10. 2023+ F-150 Tremor

The F-150 Tremor lives in the shadow of the F-150 Raptor. The Raptor gets all the attention, and we can understand that. However, starting in 2023 the Tremor got a 5.0L V8 standard. It starts at about $15K less than the Raptor. And the Tremor can get you to 90 percent of the places a Raptor can (albeit with less overall comfort and suspension travel). The Raptor will probably always overshadow the Tremor, but the Tremor is an awesome truck in its own right.

Images: Ford