The Rundown
The best-selling truck in America continues to dominate year after year, but purchasing a new F-150 can be a tall order with high prices and increased demand. This truck is the best truck in America and has been for years, no matter which generation you purchase, you are sure to receive Ford reliability and toughness.
First Generation 1975-1979
While this generation might not make the best work truck anymore, it does make for a wonderful vintage vehicle and classy statement truck. These trucks feature the very attractive original styling of the F-150 truck and of course look best in cherry red. It has the signature circular headlights and large square grille. The body is square and lower to the ground than the trucks we have grown accustomed to. Although this may not be able to tow as much weight as today’s F-150, it is built Ford Tough and able to tackle many jobs.
Second Generation 1980-1986
This truck is still more vintage than it is a possible work truck, but it remains a popular generation of the F-150. It features inline 6 cylinder and V8 powertrains, with the rolling engines of the 80s. This generation also features the first F-150s to use the blue oval emblem we associate with Ford today.
Third Generation 1987-1999
The third generation grows a little bit, and is a little bit more rounded than previous model years. It keeps the same engines as the second generation, while the ride quality was improved for use as a family vehicle or even a daily driver.
Fourth Generation 1992-1996
The engines were improved in size, but still offered inline 6 and V8 engines. The body was even more rounded out and still offered in regular or super cab options. The transmission options included 3 speed automatic,4 speed manual, 4 speed automatic, and a 5 speed manual transmission. 1995 was the last year of the inline six cylinder engine, and since then Ford has used V6 engine formats as the base for their F-150 engine.
Fifth generation 1997 – 2003
The fifth generation is where we enter the realm of modern F-150s, and possible options as work vehicles or weekend warriors. This generation featured the complete redesign of the F-150, with new engines, and the first overall curved F-150 yet. Not only was the F-150 redesigned but its purpose as well. The F-150 was no longer meant as a commercial vehicle, but as a family hauler, and pickup. This left the Super Duty to become Ford’s commercial pickup truck series. The grille shrank quite a bit and certain model years are not the most attractive. Make sure to check your model year has enough towing capability for your projects, and the right body style for you. Ford also started offering a V6 engine as the base engine, with larger V8 engines available on higher trims.
Sixth Generation 2004 – 2008
This generation started the growth of the F-150, and the pickup has become slightly larger with every iteration since then. This generation offers more in cabin comfort than any other previous generation, focusing on a driver experience with passenger comfort. The sixth generation of F-150s makes for a reliable working pickup and comes closer to modern numbers of horsepower and towing capability. This generation also featured a 5 star safety rating, making it the most family friendly of the F-150 yet.
Seventh Generation 2009 – 2014
With rounded styles becoming less popular, the seventh generation returns to a more boxy look and the F-150 is more rugged like the current models. This model introduces luxury features from Lincoln, and more creature comforts in the lineup. The EcoBoost engine is featured on this generation, with six cylinders displacing 3.5 liters. Ford also introduced trims that we know and love, the Tremor, SVT Raptor, and Platinum.
Eighth Generation 2015-2020
Aluminum panels have arrived! The F-150 went through a weight loss treatment, and now featured aluminum body panels that enhanced the fuel economy of the pickup and reduced the overall weight of the pickup. This generation featured the first NHTSA 5 star safety rating, and continued to be the best selling truck in America. Not only that but in 2017 the modern Ford F-150 Raptor was introduced and offered all of the off-roading goodies possible. Modern engines and towing capability are offered plus a suite of modern creature comforts.
Current generation 2021-2023
Ford continues to dominate the truck market by producing a truck that everyone can love. Not only that but across the lineup any family can find the perfect trim, engine and features for them. Not to mention the hybrid powertrain and the Ford F-150 Lightning that entered the mix. While this generation might not yet make for a cheap used car price yet, it does offer the best features Ford has made yet.
Summary
No matter what generation or what truck you are looking for Ford offers it in the F-150. Reliability abounds, and more creature comforts can be found in more modern years. The F-150 is truly built tough, and any generation offers the best Ford had to offer in that year.