Ford trucks over time

[mcheath]

I was looking at various Ford trucks and how they evolved over the years. You can see the progression, at times a direct and clear link like the way 73' to 79' trucks are almost a carbon copy of the 67' to 72's. At other times they totally reject the previous design, the 97'-04' design for example. Anyway, here they are. On a sidenote, it was hard to find pictures of later model trucks without super cabs or crew cabs, times they have changed.

First up, the 61'-66' models. This is a 1963 model.

1963.jpg

Then the 67' to 72' Bumps. This is a 1972 example.

1972.jpg

The Dents, 73' to 79'. This is a 1973 model.

1973.jpg

[68 Ford Stepside]

I can't figure out why there are so many camper specials around.

[mcheath]

The longest period with no major restyle was the 1980 to 1996 models. Here is a 1980 version. Sure they did the facelifts in 87' and 92', but it was still the same truck.

1980.jpg

Next came the major new direction in 1997. These were from 97' to 04'. This is a 1997 model.

1997.jpg

Then the 2004 to 2009 models. This is an 04'. That's not a super cab, all of the single cabs of this version have a little back storage area with a third door.

2004.jpg

[mcheath]

Last up is the current version, started in 2009. It highly resembles the 04' redesign.

This is an 09' model.

2009.jpg

[jzjames]

[mcheath]

I really don't like the 97' to 04's, weirdly rounded off, nor do I like the current version. The current truck has strange, to my eye, proportions, hoods are too short, bodies too bulbous, bottom too heavy compared to the top. The 97' to 04's always looked a bit snail like to me with their odd wide flare at the bottom of the body.

The older ones look great to me, and I like the 04' to 09'. I also like the current Super Dutys. To each their own eh?

[ScottT80]

I haven't liked them since the 2004 redesign. I'm sure they are more comfortable and easy to drive, but I like the older ones better.

They seem to have lost some of the toughness over the years, atleast in appearance.

[mcheath]

Added a 1957 model since that year redesign is the start of the more modern looking trucks.

1957.jpg

[ford4x4fun]

I have to disagree with the no major remodel from 1980 to 96. This is a 93 and looks a lot better than the 1980. One of my fovorite body styles!

[MaxKlinger]

One of the ways to analyze technology changes is to look at parts interchangeability. Body styles do not necessarily line up with major changes in technology; for example, the move to twin I-beam front suspension in 1965 makes the 65-66 trucks in some ways more similar to the 67-72 and 73-79 trucks than to anything 1964 and earlier. 1976 was the last year for the FE-series big blocks, replaced by the 351M and 400M.

Another way to analyze the changes are to look at models dropped. Sales sagged on the Bronco in the '90s, but since the engineering and tooling was paid for, they kept making it until it was time to roll out a completely new truck in 1997.

I have to disagree with the no major remodel from 1980 to 96. This is a 93 and looks a lot better than the 1980. One of my fovorite body styles!

Ford did a facelift for '87 and '93, but the bodies were virtually unchanged from 1980-1996. The facelifts changed the tail lights, grilles, headlights, dashboard, etc, but the frame and sheet metal was nearly identical from '80 to '96. The doors are fully interchangeable on any 80-96 pickup or Bronco, as are a host of other parts (window glass, beds, etc).

[mcheath]

Good point about what's under the sheetmetal is often the link between years. 65' and 66' trucks really do seem like prototypes for the Bump series, and even the Dents that came later.

I don't understand what was going on at Ford during the 80' to 96' era. Before that they had pretty much overhauled the design every 6 or so years, even less than that back in the 50's. Then we suddenly go 16 years with only a couple of facelifts. GM had their own long haul design, the 73' to 87' C/K series, with a facelift in 81', which actually ran into 1991 if you wanted a Crew Cab or Suburban/Jimmy. Dodge ran their DW series from 72' until 93', an amazingly long time.

[MaxKlinger]

And don't forget the Econoline was nearly unchanged 1975-1991. And again nearly unchanged 1992-2007. Not that I can really blame Ford; why sink a ton of development money into development for the plain-jane, work-horse van that sells quite well on its own?

The Ford C-series cab-over trucks have one of the longest-running body styles in history, I think 1957-1990? I still see these being used as trash trucks today.

[MaxKlinger]

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