Ford Trucks
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Ford Trucks Photos by Model
Ford Trucks - Random Listings From Our Picture Gallery
 1973 Ford 9000 Dump Truck | 1973 Ford 9000 Dump Truck 1973 Ford 9000 Dump Truck by Douglas |
 Lifted Ford F-350 4x4 Track-Drive Show Truck | Lifted Ford F-350 4x4 Track-Drive Show Truck Lifted Ford F-350 4x4 Track-Drive Show Truck by Douglas |
 Jacked Up Ford Truck | Jacked Up Ford Truck Jacked Up Ford Truck by Douglas |
 1976 Ford F750 Grain Truck | 1976 Ford F750 Grain Truck 1976 Ford F750 Grain Truck by Douglas |
 1992 Ford Pickup Truck | 1992 Ford Pickup Truck 1992 Ford Pickup Truck by Douglas |
 1990 Ford F-350 4x4 Fire Rescue Truck | 1990 Ford F-350 4x4 Fire Rescue Truck 1990 Ford F-350 4x4 Fire Rescue Truck by Douglas |
 Jacked Up Ford F-350 Truck | Jacked Up Ford F-350 Truck Jacked Up Ford F-350 Truck by Douglas |
 Lifted Ford F-550 Pickup Truck | Lifted Ford F-550 Pickup Truck Lifted Ford F-550 Pickup Truck by Douglas |
 2003 Ford Ranger Super Cab Pickup Truck | 2003 Ford Ranger Super Cab Pickup Truck 2003 Ford Ranger Super Cab Pickup Truck by Douglas |
 1986 Ford F-350 Fire Rescue Truck | 1986 Ford F-350 Fire Rescue Truck 1986 Ford F-350 Fire Rescue Truck by Douglas |
History of Ford Trucks
Officially, Ford Motor Company began building trucks in 1917. Prior to that, commercial vehicles were built on Ford chassis by a large number of independent manufacturers, some doing excellent work and some not. The inconsistant quality, which reflected on the Ford reputation, and the increased demand for trucks following World War I, led the company to announce on July 27, 1917, the one-ton chassis that would be the platform for Ford trucks.
The new truck chassis, designated the Model TT, was two feet longer than the automobile chassis, has heavier suspension and solid tires mounted on heavy duty wheels.
Ford offered the first factory-finished truck in the US in 1925. It was a Model T with a pickup body. By this time, the design of trucks had been improved with better lubrication systems, pneumatic tires and better (easier) steering. By 1926, Ford Model TT truck popularity had captured 51 percent of the America truck market. All types of bodies were being fitted to the Model TT chassis, including ambulances, buses, and fire engines.
Ford's chief rival, Chevrolet, actually beat Ford in truck sales in 1927. By now the Model T design, introduced in 1908, was quite outdated. The introduction by Ford of the Model A cars and Model AA trucks in 1928 returned the role of sales leader back to Ford. The next major developement for Ford trucks occured in 1932 with the introduction of the Model BB trucks featuring the all-new Ford flathead V-8 engine.
Ford trucks received significant changesagain in 1938 as the chassis was redesigned to conform to the Society of Automotive Engineers standards developed for light trucks which included better brakes and larger wheels. The next year, 1939, Ford trucks had hydraulic brakes for the first time.
World War II interrupted the production of publically available trucks first in Canada in 1939 and in the US in 1942. After domestic production resumed in 1945, the 1946-1947 trucks were very much like those produced just before the War.
Ford made major changes with its new series of trucks in 1948. Known as the "F" series, the trucks ranged from the F-1 to the F-8 three-ton version. These new F-Series trucks were destined to become favorites of the car and truck enthusiasts of today.
The F-Series received a new grille design in 1951 and in 1952 the trucks could be purchased with either a new overhead-valve 6-cylinder or an higher performance V-8. A major facelift was saved for 1953, Ford's fiftieth anniversary year.
Ford celebrated its Golden Anniversary in their truck division with new designs and model names. The F-1 became the F-100, the F-2 and F-3 became the F-250, and the F-4 was now the F-350. With all of the powertrain and suspension options, you could order you new 53 Ford truck in any one of 194 different possible combinations.
Few changes were made by Ford for the next two years. In 1955 Chevrolet redisgned their trucks prompting Ford to retaliate in 1956. Included in Ford's 56 trucks were tubeless tires, safety features such as new steering wheel and improved door locks. Some of these innovations preceeded the government safety requirements by 10 years.
Ford offered 4x4 pickups in 1959. They were based on the 118-inch wheelbase chassis used for the F-100 and the F-250.
The F-Series Fords were redesigned for the 1961 model year. The sheetmetal was all-new and the trucks were proportioned differently. The whellbase was increased and the from overhang was shortened.
In 1964, the Ford name was pressed into the tailgate of their trucks.
Ford introduced the Bronco in 1966 to pursue the market held by Jeep and the International Harvester Scout. The Bronco was the first light utility 4x4 vehicle built by Ford since World War II when they were the major manufacturer of the Willys Jeep under government contract. The F-Series trucks now had front disc brakes and air conditioning was now an available option.
Ford regained the lead in trucks sales for the first time since 1937.
In the early seventies, Ford had to compete with not only Dodge and Chevrolet. Small pickup truck were now being imported to the US by Toyota (Hilux) and Datsun (Li'l Hustler). Ford contracted with Mazda to build a new mini truck named the Courier and wearing the Ford brand.
The big news for 1975 was the debut of the Ford F-150 half-ton truck. A 4x4 version of the new truck followed in 1976. To say the F-150 was a success is a major understatement.
In 1978, the Bronco was renamed the U-150 and redesigned to share more parts in common with the F-Series trucks.
The Ford Ranger, which had been a trim option package in the F-Series trucks, became its own model in 1982. The Bronco II was introduced in 1983 and was an immediate sales success, more than doubling the sales of it predecessor.
In 1994, driver-side airbags became available.
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