Generation 5
1971 Ford F-100: Ranger XLT Debut, 360 V8 Specs & Values
Published by fordf100s.com · Last updated
| General Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 117 in (short bed) / 131 in (long bed) |
| Curb Weight | 3,615 lbs |
| Body Styles | pickup, styleside, flareside |
| Original MSRP | $2,438 |
| Production Numbers | 190,347 |
| Engine Options | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Displacement | Horsepower | Type |
| 240 Six | 240 ci | 150 hp | inline-6 |
| 300 Six | 300 ci | 168 hp | inline-6 |
| 302 Windsor V8 | 302 ci | 210 hp | v8 |
| 360 FE V8 | 360 ci | 215 hp | v8 |
| 390 FE V8 | 390 ci | 255 hp | v8 |
| Available Transmissions |
|---|
| 3-speed manual |
| 4-speed manual |
| C6 automatic |
The 1971 Ford F-100 is remembered less for mechanical change than for a milestone in cabin luxury: the introduction of the Ranger XLT trim package, which would become the defining upscale option for the F-100 and establish a naming convention that persisted for decades. Under the hood, the powertrain lineup carried over from 1970 with one important footnote — 1971 would be the final year for the 390 FE V8 in the F-100.
The 360 cubic-inch FE V8 continued as the mid-range V8 option, producing 215 horsepower, as it had since joining the F-100 lineup in 1968. The 390 FE V8 remained available for 1971 at 255 horsepower, but after this year it was dropped from the F-100 order book, leaving the 360 FE as the largest engine available going into 1972. No new engine was introduced for 1971; the year was about trim and interior appointments rather than powertrain changes.
The 302 Windsor V8 continued as the most popular engine choice, rated at 210 horsepower and offering the best balance of performance, weight, and fuel economy in the V8 range. The 240 and 300 cubic-inch inline sixes remained the base and step-up engines for economy-minded buyers, with the 300 Six in particular earning a reputation for exceptional durability in commercial service.
The Ranger XLT trim package debuted as the new top-of-the-line option, positioned above the existing Ranger. The XLT added wood-tone accents on the instrument panel, upgraded upholstery with pleated vinyl or optional cloth inserts, full carpeting, extra sound deadening, and additional exterior chrome. The Ranger XLT made the F-100 interior competitive with many passenger cars of the era and proved extremely popular with personal-use buyers. The trim hierarchy now ran from Custom through Sport Custom, Ranger, and Ranger XLT, offering four distinct levels of interior finish.
Exterior styling was largely unchanged from the 1970 refresh. The grille, headlight arrangement, and body panels carried over, with updates limited to new colors and minor trim revisions. The Bumpside body continued to age well visually, and the design still looked contemporary five years into its production run.
Production for 1971 reached approximately 190,347 units. While down slightly from prior years, the numbers reflected broader economic uncertainty rather than any weakness in the truck itself. The 1971 F-100 is significant as a transition year, marking the final appearance of the 390 FE V8 in the F-100 and the arrival of the Ranger XLT trim that would define Ford’s premium truck strategy for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changed in the 1971 Ford F-100?
For the 1971 model year, notable changes included: undefined As the fifth year of the fifth-generation F-100 (Bumpside), the 1971 Ford F100 built on the prior year while setting up what came next in the 1967-1972 run.
Where does the 1971 Ford F100 sit within the 1967-1972 generation?
The 1971 Ford F-100 was the fifth model year of the fifth-generation F-100 (Bumpside), placing it at the midpoint of the 1967-1972 run. By 1971, the generation had stabilized and buyers benefited from several years of running changes. The 1971 specifically added: undefined
What engines were available in the 1971 Ford F-100?
The 1971 Ford F-100 offered 5 engine options: 240 Six (240 ci, 150 hp); 300 Six (300 ci, 168 hp); 302 Windsor V8 (302 ci, 210 hp); 360 FE V8 (360 ci, 215 hp); 390 FE V8 (390 ci, 255 hp). The lineup drew from the FE-series big-block, the small-block Windsor, Ford’s inline-six. The strongest available was the 390 FE V8 at 255 horsepower, while the base engine was the 240 Six at 150 horsepower. Transmission choices were 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, C6 automatic.
What does a 1971 Ford F100 weigh and measure?
The 1971 Ford F-100 had a wheelbase of 117 in (short bed) / 131 in (long bed) and a curb weight of 3,615 lbs. Factory body styles included pickup, styleside and flareside. It was part of the fifth-generation F-100 (Bumpside) (1967-1972), a generation defined by the Bumpside body and the 360/390 FE V8s.
What should I look for when buying a 1971 Ford F100?
Focus your inspection on the 1971-specific items: undefined With 5 factory engine options spanning 150 to 255 horsepower, verifying that a specific 1971 truck has its original engine matters more for value than for most years before or after. Production of only 190,347 makes a clean 1971 Ford F100 genuinely uncommon today. Prioritize trucks with documented history over cosmetic presentation — a clean 1971 with receipts beats a repainted example with an unknown past.