The Ford F-150 is part of the F-Series, a descriptor used to cover the entire succession of Ford pickups that have been in production for 60 years. Since that genesis, millions of Ford trucks have been sold. In fact, the F-Series has been the most popular vehicle sold in the United States for nearly every year of the past three decades.
Originally conceived as a rugged, no-frills workhorse, the Ford F-150 has since morphed into a well-appointed ride. Versatility is the goal: This pickup truck can handle the needs of small businesses with the same aplomb it brings to a night on the town. And it isn't just ranchers and contractors who cherish it: Anyone who needs to tow a boat, haul stuff or transport recreational cargo can take the F-150 to heart.
There's a lot of competition in the full-size pickup truck market segment these days. To keep its truck fresh, Ford has just introduced a fully redesigned F-150, which boasts more power and new features. Used F-150s are also a great choice, as the truck's wide array of configurations and numbers sold means you're almost guaranteed of finding the right truck.
Current Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 was redesigned for the 2009 model year. The base 4.2-liter V6 from the previous generation has been replaced with a 248-horsepower 4.6-liter V8. The two other available V8 engines are a high-output 4.6-liter (292 hp) and a 5.4-liter (310 hp). The base 4.6 is paired to a four-speed automatic transmission, while the high-output 4.6 and 5.4 are mated to six-speed automatics.
The F-150's configurations seem to be limited only by the imagination of the buyer. There are seven trim levels: XL, STX, XLT, FX4, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum. There are also two driveline configurations, three cab sizes and three bed lengths. Towing capacity, at more than 11,000 pounds when properly equipped, is impressive.
The design of the Ford F-150 says "truck" in a commanding voice. The tall front end and slab sides of the body give the vehicle a massive, no-nonsense look. Still, this pickup truck is more nimble than the previous generation. The interior, depending on trim level, is a far cry from the no-frills cowboy conveyance of yore. And in the upscale Platinum trim, you could easily feel as if you're sitting in a plush Lincoln. Modern gadgetry is also present. Sync, Ford's popular communications and entertainment system, is available, as are navigation and a back-up camera. Stability control and a full complement of airbags are standard equipment.
In reviews, we found the F-150's ride and handling to be superb and its interior to be comfortable and quiet. The base V8, which only comes with the four-speed auto, is a bit outmatched by the truck's heft. Either of the more powerful V8s will be better choices for most buyers. And though the Ford has a power deficit on paper when compared to competing trucks, we've found it isn't nearly as significant in real-world use.
Used Ford-150 Models
The previous-generation Ford F-150 was introduced for the 2004 model year, and Ford's goal was to make it the most advanced F-Series pickup ever. It was available in a variety of trim levels and body styles.
The XL was the basic truck and the STX offered a few additional features, but the volume-selling XLT provided the best bang for the buck. You'll also encounter the off-road-oriented FX4 trim level, the sporty FX2 (in 2007), the luxurious Lariat, the even plusher Lariat Limited (for 2008) and the thematic King Ranch and Harley-Davidson editions. During this truck's run, available engines included a 202-hp 4.2-liter V6, a 231-hp 4.6-liter V8 and a 300-hp 5.4-liter V8. In 2007, the 4.6-liter V8 got a power upgrade to 248 hp. Harley-Davidson models had a supercharged V8 that cranked out 450 hp.
Almost all variants had a four-speed automatic transmission from 2004-'08, but the V6 came standard with a five-speed manual. All F-150 trim levels and body styles could be configured as either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, although the FX4 trim came standard with four-wheel drive.
In reviews, we found this generation Ford F-150 to be the best in the long history of the pickup. Ride and handling were excellent, and the interiors were attractive and functional. Acceleration and braking, however, were lackluster, and we often found the F-150, even with larger engines, to be underpowered relative to the competition. The truck's heft and old-school four-speed transmissions didn't help.
The 1997-2003 F-150 model wasn't as refined as the 2004-'08 model, but it was a capable truck. When it debuted, its smooth exterior styling was a dramatic departure from the angular previous F-150s. Cab styles, trim levels and powertrains were an improvement over the pre-1997 models. Engines included a 4.2-liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8 and a 5.4-liter V8. In 2000, the first Harley-Davidson edition was released. The King Ranch trim and the crew cab body style were introduced in 1998. In 1999, the high-performance Lightning version, which had been added in 1993 but discontinued in 1997, reappeared.
Prior to 1997, F-150 models placed utility first and luxury second. These trucks were available in two body styles and a few trim levels. The XLT Lariat was typically the top trim until the Eddie Bauer trim debuted in 1995. Main engines choices were a 4.9-liter inline-6, a 5.0-liter V8 and a 5.8-liter V8. - edmonds 2009
The Ford F-150 is part of the F-Series, a descriptor used to cover the entire succession of Ford pickups that have been in production for 60 years. Since that genesis, millions of Ford trucks have been sold. In fact, the F-Series has been the most popular vehicle sold in the United States for nearly every year of the past three decades.
Originally conceived as a rugged, no-frills workhorse, the Ford F-150 has since morphed into a well-appointed ride. Versatility is the goal: This pickup truck can handle the needs of small businesses with the same aplomb it brings to a night on the town. And it isn't just ranchers and contractors who cherish it: Anyone who needs to tow a boat, haul stuff or transport recreational cargo can take the F-150 to heart.
There's a lot of competition in the full-size pickup truck market segment these days. To keep its truck fresh, Ford has just introduced a fully redesigned F-150, which boasts more power and new features. Used F-150s are also a great choice, as the truck's wide array of configurations and numbers sold means you're almost guaranteed of finding the right truck.
Current Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 was redesigned for the 2009 model year. The base 4.2-liter V6 from the previous generation has been replaced with a 248-horsepower 4.6-liter V8. The two other available V8 engines are a high-output 4.6-liter (292 hp) and a 5.4-liter (310 hp). The base 4.6 is paired to a four-speed automatic transmission, while the high-output 4.6 and 5.4 are mated to six-speed automatics.
The F-150's configurations seem to be limited only by the imagination of the buyer. There are seven trim levels: XL, STX, XLT, FX4, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum. There are also two driveline configurations, three cab sizes and three bed lengths. Towing capacity, at more than 11,000 pounds when properly equipped, is impressive.
The design of the Ford F-150 says "truck" in a commanding voice. The tall front end and slab sides of the body give the vehicle a massive, no-nonsense look. Still, this pickup truck is more nimble than the previous generation. The interior, depending on trim level, is a far cry from the no-frills cowboy conveyance of yore. And in the upscale Platinum trim, you could easily feel as if you're sitting in a plush Lincoln. Modern gadgetry is also present. Sync, Ford's popular communications and entertainment system, is available, as are navigation and a back-up camera. Stability control and a full complement of airbags are standard equipment.
In reviews, we found the F-150's ride and handling to be superb and its interior to be comfortable and quiet. The base V8, which only comes with the four-speed auto, is a bit outmatched by the truck's heft. Either of the more powerful V8s will be better choices for most buyers. And though the Ford has a power deficit on paper when compared to competing trucks, we've found it isn't nearly as significant in real-world use.
Used Ford-150 Models
The previous-generation Ford F-150 was introduced for the 2004 model year, and Ford's goal was to make it the most advanced F-Series pickup ever. It was available in a variety of trim levels and body styles.
The XL was the basic truck and the STX offered a few additional features, but the volume-selling XLT provided the best bang for the buck. You'll also encounter the off-road-oriented FX4 trim level, the sporty FX2 (in 2007), the luxurious Lariat, the even plusher Lariat Limited (for 2008) and the thematic King Ranch and Harley-Davidson editions. During this truck's run, available engines included a 202-hp 4.2-liter V6, a 231-hp 4.6-liter V8 and a 300-hp 5.4-liter V8. In 2007, the 4.6-liter V8 got a power upgrade to 248 hp. Harley-Davidson models had a supercharged V8 that cranked out 450 hp.
Almost all variants had a four-speed automatic transmission from 2004-'08, but the V6 came standard with a five-speed manual. All F-150 trim levels and body styles could be configured as either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, although the FX4 trim came standard with four-wheel drive.
In reviews, we found this generation Ford F-150 to be the best in the long history of the pickup. Ride and handling were excellent, and the interiors were attractive and functional. Acceleration and braking, however, were lackluster, and we often found the F-150, even with larger engines, to be underpowered relative to the competition. The truck's heft and old-school four-speed transmissions didn't help.
The 1997-2003 F-150 model wasn't as refined as the 2004-'08 model, but it was a capable truck. When it debuted, its smooth exterior styling was a dramatic departure from the angular previous F-150s. Cab styles, trim levels and powertrains were an improvement over the pre-1997 models. Engines included a 4.2-liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8 and a 5.4-liter V8. In 2000, the first Harley-Davidson edition was released. The King Ranch trim and the crew cab body style were introduced in 1998. In 1999, the high-performance Lightning version, which had been added in 1993 but discontinued in 1997, reappeared.
Prior to 1997, F-150 models placed utility first and luxury second. These trucks were available in two body styles and a few trim levels. The XLT Lariat was typically the top trim until the Eddie Bauer trim debuted in 1995. Main engines choices were a 4.9-liter inline-6, a 5.0-liter V8 and a 5.8-liter V8. - edmonds 2009
