Our list of the top reasons why the Ford F-Series became and retained the title of America's best-selling pickup truck.
Intro
The Ford F-Series has held the title of best-selling truck for 46 consecutive years. Success like that does not happen by accident. There needs to be planning and constant innovation in order to continue to attract buyers for nearly half a century. Ford has been doing that, and we are now taking a look back at some of those milestone moments that have kept the Ford F-Series in the lead with buyers. In chronological order, this is what has kept the Ford F-Series on top.
1. 1948: The First New Ford After WWII
The F-1 was Ford’s first all-new vehicle after World War II. These were no longer car-based vehicles. These trucks are sometimes referred to as the “Million Dollar Cab” trucks as Ford spent that much redesigning the cab for the F-1. This new cab was more comfortable and roomier. And under the hood buyers had the option of choosing the 100-horsepower flathead V8 engine. It was the beginning of the modern F-Series era and brought a whole new type of truck to the American people.
2. 1974: Ford Introduces the SuperCab
The SuperCab was available late in the 1974 model year and it was a game changer. It struck a balance between the regular cab two-door and the four-door Crew Cab. You still got room for five passengers, but you didn’t need to step up to a much larger truck. Ford was not the first to offer this configuration (Dodge offered it a year earlier) but the Ford SuperCab helped make the truck more of a family vehicle instead of just a work vehicle.
3. 1975: The F-150 is Born
1975 might be the most important year in F-Series history. It marked the debut of the iconic Ford F-150 model. It was marketed as a heavy-duty half ton truck that sat above the F-100. The F-100 would continue on for a number of years, but the F-150 sealed its fate. Most buyers opted for the more robust F-150. It quickly became the best-selling truck in America and has not relinquished the title since.
4. 1980: Ford Redesigns the F-Series
1980 began the seventh generation of Ford F-Series trucks. And this new generation brought with it several significant improvements. The trucks were shorter, narrower and lower than before. That resulted in them being lighter and it improved fuel economy. Yet, the wheelbase, interior space and cargo capacity remained the same. In addition, it was in 1980 that Ford introduced the Twin-Traction Beam independent front suspension on four-wheel drive models.
5. 1994: Ford Introduces Power Stroke Turbo Diesel
In 1994 the first Power Stroke Turbo Diesel was born. It was the legendary 7.3L. Diesel Power Magazine ranked the 7.3L one of the top ten diesel engines ever made. The Power Stroke legend grew from there. When you need your work truck to do the heavy work, you want a Ford with the Power Stroke under the hood. It has been that way for nearly 30 years now, and it is likely not going to change any time soon.
6. 2015: Ford Transitions the F-150 to Aluminum
In 2015 Ford shocked the world with the introduction of the aluminum body F-150. Critics would worry that aluminum would make these trucks weaker than the steel predecessors. But we are talking about aircraft grade aluminum here. And Ford torture tested the truck for thousands of hours and more than 10 million miles in labs. The result was a truck that was a whopping 700 pounds lighter, had a stronger frame and increased towing and hauling capability.
7. Today: Ford Won't Stop Innovating
The current F-Series trucks are the best ever. The company continues to innovate. The 6.7L High Output Power Stroke now makes a best-in-class 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque. Technology includes a head-up display, wireless software updates, onboard scales, trailer navigation and a whole lot more. Ford is not resting on its laurels. They make the best-selling trucks for that reason.
