Everything That You Need To Know About The Ford F-150

Ford’s dominance in the market is unquestionable. The company has successfully captured a massive portion of the world with its powerful engines stuffed into chassis that does everything, from simple city driving to traveling over the roughest terrain. One of the most famous of these, the Ford F-150, was capable of both, turning it into one of the most beloved Ford vehicles to date. Despite its fame, we’re sure that you don’t know everything there is to know about the F-150—at least not yet. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the Ford F-150. 

The First Ford Truck

Ford blew everyone’s minds when they released the Model T in 1908, an instant classic in the market. Nine years after, they would release the Model TT, the first truck in the company’s lineup. This version of the truck was yet to be made with a flatbed; instead, customers had to purchase that from a third party. The pickup body we’re more familiar with wouldn’t become standard until 1925. 

A Complete Set

You might have noticed that the first truck was introduced as the Model TT. That’s because Ford introduced the F series of trucks in the late 1940s, presenting the market with a variety of different trucks, ranging from the F-1 to the F-8. The F-1 is what would eventually develop into the F-100 (later on, the F-150). F-2, meanwhile, would be merged with the F-3 and be called the F-250, with some of the higher numbers transferred over into Ford’s commercial truck division.   

Access To Four-Wheel Drive

Some of the F-150’s famous towing capability can be attributed to its powerful four-wheel drive. Sadly, this feature wouldn’t become available until 1959, the truck’s third generation. This feature was introduced to help drivers retain traction on uneven road surfaces and during inclement weather. 

Suspension Matters

Leading up to this, Ford’s trucks were all tailored toward serving the needs of workers. This meant that they prioritized strength and power over comfort with everything, including the suspension. This made the vehicle a little stiff and very uncomfortable for simple city driving. Ford would improve this in 1965 by introducing the Twin-I-Beam suspension system. Thanks to this, more people were able to appreciate the vehicle. 

The Ranger Badge

It might interest fans of the Ranger brand of the truck that it started off as a trim for the F-150. In 1966, Ford would introduce the Ranger, the top-level trim for their famous F-150. As a top-of-the-line offering, the 1966 Ford Ranger included carpeting, air-conditioning (uncommon in the past), and power brakes (and steering). 

A Big Monster

Monster truck fans might know this already. Bigfoot, the first monster truck to gain fame, was created in 1975 by Bob Chandler. To create the beast, Bob Chander used the F-250 as a base, modifying it with oversized tires. Bob would eventually create other iterations of Bigfoot, touring the country and headlining shows. 

Conclusion

The F-150 is a legend of a truck, one that has a lot of American history. It’s no surprise that it’s such a well-loved truck these days, given the decades of development the company has spent on this truck. After all, if you’re buying a truck, you might as well go for one of the most reliable and powerful. 

If you’re looking for a reliable and trustworthy Ford dealership, then you’ve come to the right place. At Cloninger Ford of Hickory, our dedicated staff works hard to ensure you enter the shop happy and leave even happier. Whether you’re looking for a new or used Ford vehicle, part, or service, we are confident we will be able to assist you in the Hickory, NC area. Please take a moment and learn more about how our dealership stands ahead of the competition.

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