The Ford F-150 pickup has been the best-selling truck for 40 years, and for the past 35 years it has been the top-selling vehicle in America as well. For 2018 none of that looks to change and the new model has already earned a belt buckle and trophy as top truck in Texas.
Ford F-150 Then and Now/Images courtesy Ford
Several years ago, Ford bucked the industry trend as it turned away from steel for the primary metal used in manufacturing the F-150 and going with aluminum instead. This has caused a bit of backlash from competitors who even attempt to use this against Ford in marketing and commercials but Big Blue Oval still reigns supreme. Sorry, Chevy. Ford also “tilted at windmills” by making a turbocharged V-6 engine its premiere choice for powering the light-duty lineup.
I never found out who at Ford first uttered the word “aluminum” over in truck operations but apparently it was heard by the right folks as F-150s use the material in all body panels, hood, tailgate, and cargo box, replacing traditional steel. The use of aluminum in vehicles is not totally new to Ford as Big Blue Oval was the parent corporation over Jaguar when it began using aluminum in its vehicles circa mid-2000s. Aluminum exhibits different characteristics and properties when it comes to molding, joining, and painting but there are many benefits to its use – something we noticed the first time we drove one.
A huge benefit in the use of aluminum is the reduction in weight each truck will see – some 700 pounds according to Ford. This slimming translates directly to increased towing and payload ratings for all Ford light duty trucks. Engineers also gave the new truck a redesigned (and still steel) ladder frame and developed a new hydraulic body mount. Downside to the aluminum is you folks that have magnetic door signs on the side of your trucks – they won’t stick to this new rig. You’re just gonna have to figure something else out, like a body wrap or something.
The Ford F-150 offers three six-cylinder based gas engines one V-8, and for the first time Ford will offer a new 3.0-liter Power Stroke V-6 turbodiesel engine. The base engine is smaller, down from 3.7-liters to 3.5-liters and now to 3.3-liters (290hp, 265 lb. ft. torque). In recent years a second EcoBoost engine has been added in the form of a turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 that generates 325hp and 400 lb. ft. of torque. The remaining two engine choices are the EcoBoost 3.5-liter V-6 (450hp/510 lb. ft. torque) and the 5.0-liter V-8 (395hp/400 lb. ft. torque). While the base V-6 is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the other engines are paired with Ford’s new 10-speed SelectShift automatic gearbox with selectable drive modes.
Buyers can choose 4×2 or 4×4 running gear in Regular, SuperCab, and SuperCrew cab configurations in XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, and Raptor trim levels. My favorite is the King Ranch edition. A minor point is that Ford offers some of its trucks with two- or three-occupant seating up front. I like the fact that three can still fit across the front in comfort or you can use the middle seat to slide your sweetie over closer to you. That center seatback can fold down to reveal a console with cupholders and storage and the center seat bottom lifts to reveal “concealed” storage for valuables and other items and offers a cupholder that pulls forward.
While my biggest surprise of the F-150 in recent years was how well the EcoBoost 2.7 performed, my favorite feature had to be the massage function of the front seats in the King Ranch. Oh. My. Gosh. Tushie rub, back massage…it doesn’t get much better than this, and that is just one of the cool technologies found in the F-150. Others include 360-degree camera view with washer for front camera lens, LED headlamps, taillamps, and side spotlights, active park assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, collision warning with brake support, pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, curve control, smart trailer tow module, blind spot monitor (now with trailer tow technology) with cross traffic alert, integrated loading ramps, BoxLink cargo box storage system, Pro Trailer Backup Assist (backing a trailer with the turn of a knob on the dash), trailer hitch assist, and remote tailgate with lock, unlock and release from the keyfob.
The new 2018 Ford F-150 is touted as being even tougher, smarter, and more capable than before. F-150 is one tough cookie, despite what the competitors say in their commercials. It has led the company and the country in sales and will most likely continue to do so in the future. Ford boasts best-in-class towing of 13,200 pounds and payload of 3,270 pounds.
“What’s made the F-Series so successful is the Ford truck team’s ability to anticipate the needs of our customers better than anyone else – how those needs change, what’s most important, and what they need to move forward,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “Their insights help us design, engineer, and build America’s best-selling trucks.”
F-Series innovations and milestones, 1977 to present
• 1977: Ford begins F-Series truck leadership, selling 818,580 trucks for the model year;
• 1979: Ford introduces the Built Ford Tough brand promise;
• 1980: All-new seventh-generation F-Series features efficient gas and diesel V8 engines, new angular design, improved interior features; twin-traction-beam four-wheel-drive front suspension introduced;
• 1984: F-150 replaces F-100 as base F-Series truck, adding improved safety features and new center console; optional CD player comes a year later;
• 1987: Eighth-generation F-Series features a more aerodynamic design, available electronic fuel injection, redesigned interior including instrument panel, and rear antilock brakes;
• 1998: Super Duty brand of medium-duty trucks debuts for commercial customers and aligns the popular F-150 line for light-duty customers;
• 2001: Luxury King Ranch is an unprecedented success;
• 2008: Ford introduces all-new Class 3-leading F-450 pickup, once again raising the bar for maximum towing capacity;
• 2011:Powerful, efficient EcoBoost engine technology introduced for F-150, while Super Duty receives all-new Ford-engineered, Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke® turbo diesel engine;
• 2015: Ford shifts production away from steel to high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body for F-150; introduces all-new technology, including 360-degree camera;
• 2016: New Pro Trailer Backup Assist helps make backing up a trailer as easy as turning a knob; plus F-150 is only full-size pickup to earn a five-star rating from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a Top Safety Pick from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety;
• 2017: Ford celebrates F-Series leadership, marking 40 years with the best-selling truck in America and the best-selling vehicle overall for 35 years.