--- title: "Ford F-100 Years: 1948-1983 Timeline | fordf100s.com" description: "Explore Ford F-100 years and generations from the 1948 F-1 through the final 1983 F-100, including factory 4WD, Bumpside, Dentside, and F-150 milestones." canonical_url: "https://www.fordf100s.com/history/f100-timeline/" last_updated: "2026-07-28" --- 1. [ Home ](/) 2. / [ History ](/history/) 3. / Ford F-100 Years: 1948-1983 Timeline History # Ford F-100 Years: 1948-1983 Timeline Explore Ford F-100 years and generations from the 1948 F-1 through the final 1983 F-100, including factory 4WD, Bumpside, Dentside, and F-150 milestones. fordf100s.com · Updated July 28, 2026 ## When Was the Ford F-100 Made? Ford used the **F-100 name from 1953 through 1983**, a total of 31 model years. The direct half-ton predecessor was the 1948-1952 Ford F-1, so the complete story spans 36 model years and seven F-Series generations. | Milestone | Model year | | -------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | | F-Series and F-1 debut | 1948 | | F-100 name introduced | 1953 | | First factory-built four-wheel-drive F-Series | 1959 | | F-150 introduced alongside F-100 | 1975 | | F-Series becomes America’s best-selling truck line | 1977 | | F-Series becomes America’s best-selling vehicle | 1982 | | Final F-100 model year | 1983 | | F-150 continues without F-100 in the US lineup | 1984 | The sales milestones are easy to confuse: Ford dates the best-selling **truck** streak to 1977 and the best-selling **vehicle** milestone to 1982. ## Ford F-100 Generation Timeline | Generation | Model years | Half-ton name | Defining changes | | ---------- | ----------- | ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | First | 1948-1952 | F-1 | First postwar F-Series, separate pickup line, flathead-era power | | Second | 1953-1956 | F-100 | F-100 name, redesigned cab, overhead-valve V8 era begins | | Third | 1957-1960 | F-100 | Styleside box, major redesign, factory four-wheel drive from 1959 | | Fourth | 1961-1966 | F-100 | Unibody Styleside period, then Twin-I-Beam for 2WD in 1965 | | Fifth | 1967-1972 | F-100 | Bumpside body, Ranger and Ranger XLT, expanded engine range | | Sixth | 1973-1979 | F-100 and F-150 from 1975 | Dentside body, SuperCab, emissions and engine-family transition | | Seventh | 1980-1983 | F-100 and F-150 | Bullnose redesign, 17-character VIN from 1981, final F-100 years | ## 1948-1952: The Ford F-1 Predecessor The [1948-1952 first-generation Ford trucks](/generations/1948-1952/) launched the F-Series, but the half-ton pickup was badged **F-1**, not F-100\. These trucks established the separate truck platform and cab that led directly to the later nameplate. - **[1948 Ford F-1](/1948-ford-f1/):** first model year of the new F-Series. - **[1949 Ford F-1](/1949-ford-f1/):** second year of the launch design. - **[1950 Ford F-1](/1950-ford-f1/):** final year of the early five-bar grille treatment. - **[1951 Ford F-1](/1951-ford-f1/):** visible grille and cab-detail revisions. - **[1952 Ford F-1](/1952-ford-f1/):** final model year before the F-100 name. ## 1953-1956: The F-100 Name Arrives The [1953-1956 second generation](/generations/1953-1956/) replaced the F-1 designation with **F-100**. The redesigned cab and new naming system separated the truck clearly from its predecessor. - **[1953 Ford F-100](/1953-ford-f100/):** F-100 name and second-generation cab debut. - **[1954 Ford F-100](/1954-ford-f100/):** overhead-valve V8 becomes a major light-truck milestone. - **[1955 Ford F-100](/1955-ford-f100/):** year-specific engine, trim, and paint changes continue. - **[1956 Ford F-100](/1956-ford-f100/):** wraparound-windshield body and final year of the generation. ## 1957-1960: Styleside and Factory Four-Wheel Drive The [1957-1960 third generation](/generations/1957-1960/) introduced a major redesign and the full-width [Styleside](/glossary/styleside/) pickup box. Ford’s first factory-built four-wheel-drive F-Series arrived for **1959**, not 1957. - **[1957 Ford F-100](/1957-ford-f100/):** third-generation body and Styleside box debut. - **[1958 Ford F-100](/1958-ford-f100/):** grille and lighting revisions. - **[1959 Ford F-100](/1959-ford-f100/):** first factory-built four-wheel-drive F-Series model year. - **[1960 Ford F-100](/1960-ford-f100/):** final year before the 1961 redesign. The third-generation F-100 engine list should remain separate from heavier F-Series applications; engines offered in an F-250 or F-350 brochure table were not automatically F-100 options. ## 1961-1966: Unibody and Twin-I-Beam The [1961-1966 fourth generation](/generations/1961-1966/) included Ford’s Integral Styleside (enthusiast “[Unibody](/glossary/unibody/)”) cab-and-box body — still on a ladder frame — before returning fully to a separate cab and bed. In 1965, Ford introduced [Twin-I-Beam](/glossary/twin-i-beam/) independent front suspension on two-wheel-drive F-Series trucks. - **[1961 Ford F-100](/1961-ford-f100/):** fourth-generation redesign and Integral Styleside. - **[1962 Ford F-100](/1962-ford-f100/):** Integral Styleside and Separate Styleside both available. - **[1963 Ford F-100](/1963-ford-f100/):** final Integral Styleside model year (dropped mid-year). - **[1964 Ford F-100](/1964-ford-f100/):** separate cab-and-bed construction across the pickup range. - **[1965 Ford F-100](/1965-ford-f100/):** Twin-I-Beam on 2WD; 240 and 300 inline-sixes join the light-duty engine story. - **[1966 Ford F-100](/1966-ford-f100/):** final model year of the fourth generation. Twin-I-Beam is a 2WD milestone. Four-wheel-drive trucks used a different front-axle and suspension layout. ## 1967-1972: Bumpside The [1967-1972 Bumpside F-100](/generations/1967-1972/) is named by enthusiasts for its convex body-side feature line. Ranger was the premium Styleside treatment for 1967, and Ranger XLT became the top trim for 1970. - **[1967 Ford F-100](/1967-ford-f100/):** new [Bumpside](/glossary/bumpside/) body; 240, 300, and 352 engine choices in the F-100 range. - **[1968 Ford F-100](/1968-ford-f100/):** 360 and 390 [FE V8s](/glossary/fe-engine/) replace the 352 in the engine offering. - **[1969 Ford F-100](/1969-ford-f100/):** 302 [Windsor](/glossary/windsor/) V8 joins the range. - **[1970 Ford F-100](/1970-ford-f100/):** Ranger XLT becomes the top trim; grille and marker treatment change. - **[1971 Ford F-100](/1971-ford-f100/):** revised grille and steering-wheel treatment. - **[1972 Ford F-100](/1972-ford-f100/):** final Bumpside year; advertised horsepower moves to SAE net. The 1972 net ratings should not be compared directly with the gross figures advertised in earlier years. ## 1973-1979: Dentside, SuperCab, and F-150 The [1973-1979 Dentside F-100](/generations/1973-1979/) introduced longer 117- and 133-inch regular-cab pickup wheelbases. The [SuperCab](/glossary/supercab/) arrived for 1974, and the F-150 joined the lineup for 1975 between the F-100 and F-250. - **[1973 Ford F-100](/1973-ford-f100/):** [Dentside](/glossary/dentside/) redesign. - **[1974 Ford F-100](/1974-ford-f100/):** SuperCab debut; exceptional F-100 4x2 availability for the 460 V8. - **[1975 Ford F-100](/1975-ford-f100/):** F-150 introduced with a higher 6,050-pound GVW rating than the 5,500-pound F-100. - **[1976 Ford F-100](/1976-ford-f100/):** application-specific emissions and fuel requirements continue to evolve. - **[1977 Ford F-100](/1977-ford-f100/):** F-Series begins its best-selling-truck streak; 351M and 400 replace earlier FE choices in the F-100 range. - **[1978 Ford F-100](/1978-ford-f100/):** rectangular headlamps appear with trim and equipment qualifications. - **[1979 Ford F-100](/1979-ford-f100/):** final Dentside model year. The F-150 was not an instant replacement for the F-100\. Both series remained in the US lineup through 1983\. See [when Ford stopped making the F-100](/history/when-did-ford-stop-making-the-f100/) for the documented final-year transition. ## 1980-1983: Bullnose and the Final F-100 The [1980-1983 seventh generation](/generations/1980-1983/) brought a new body and chassis with greater attention to aerodynamics and weight reduction. Ford adopted the standardized 17-character VIN for 1981. - **[1980 Ford F-100](/1980-ford-f100/):** Bullnose redesign. - **[1981 Ford F-100](/1981-ford-f100/):** standardized 17-character VIN format. - **[1982 Ford F-100](/1982-ford-f100/):** F-Series becomes America’s best-selling vehicle. - **[1983 Ford F-100](/1983-ford-f100/):** final F-100 model year. For 1983, the US regular-cab F-100 engine list included a 3.8L V6 as standard in most markets, plus 4.9L inline-six and 5.0L V8 choices. California and high-altitude specifications differed. ## F-100 vs. F-150: 1975-1983 | Topic | F-100 | F-150 | | ------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | | 1975 position | Lighter half-ton series | New heavier package between F-100 and F-250 | | Advertised 1975 GVW | 5,500 pounds | 6,050 pounds | | Years sold together | 1975-1983 | 1975-1983 | | After 1983 | Discontinued in the US light-truck line | Continued as Ford’s half-ton nameplate | The trucks could share body styling, but GVW was not merely a badge difference. Springs, axles, brakes, tires, engines, and other equipment varied with series, year, and configuration. See the [F-100 vs. F-150 comparison](/f100-vs-f150/) for a closer breakdown. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What years did Ford make the F-100? Ford used the F-100 name for 31 model years, from 1953 through 1983\. Including the direct 1948-1952 F-1 predecessor, the complete half-ton timeline spans 36 model years. ### What year did Ford first offer factory four-wheel drive? Ford introduced its first factory-built four-wheel-drive F-Series for the 1959 model year. The 1957 milestone was the third-generation redesign and Styleside box, not factory 4WD. ### When did the Ford F-150 replace the F-100? The F-150 joined the range in 1975 and sold alongside the F-100 through 1983\. The F-100 left the US light-truck lineup for 1984, while the F-150 continued. ### Is an F-100 the same as an F-150? No. They shared styling and some components during their 1975-1983 overlap, but their GVW ratings and configuration-specific suspension, axle, brake, tire, and powertrain applications could differ. ### When did F-Series become the best-selling truck and vehicle? F-Series became America’s best-selling truck line in 1977\. It became America’s best-selling vehicle in 1982. ### How many Ford F-100s were built? A consistently scoped, year-by-year F-100-only production series has not been established. Totals labeled “Ford trucks” or “F-Series” may include other series, body types, markets, or calendar-year sales, so they should not be presented as F-100 production without that detail. On this page - [Ford F-100 Generation Timeline](#ford-f-100-generation-timeline) - [1948-1952: The Ford F-1 Predecessor](#1948-1952-the-ford-f-1-predecessor) - [1953-1956: The F-100 Name Arrives](#1953-1956-the-f-100-name-arrives) - [1957-1960: Styleside and Factory Four-Wheel Drive](#1957-1960-styleside-and-factory-four-wheel-drive) - [1961-1966: Unibody and Twin-I-Beam](#1961-1966-unibody-and-twin-i-beam) - [1967-1972: Bumpside](#1967-1972-bumpside) - [1973-1979: Dentside, SuperCab, and F-150](#1973-1979-dentside-supercab-and-f-150) - [1980-1983: Bullnose and the Final F-100](#1980-1983-bullnose-and-the-final-f-100) - [F-100 vs. F-150: 1975-1983](#f-100-vs-f-150-1975-1983) On this page - [Ford F-100 Generation Timeline](#ford-f-100-generation-timeline) - [1948-1952: The Ford F-1 Predecessor](#1948-1952-the-ford-f-1-predecessor) - [1953-1956: The F-100 Name Arrives](#1953-1956-the-f-100-name-arrives) - [1957-1960: Styleside and Factory Four-Wheel Drive](#1957-1960-styleside-and-factory-four-wheel-drive) - [1961-1966: Unibody and Twin-I-Beam](#1961-1966-unibody-and-twin-i-beam) - [1967-1972: Bumpside](#1967-1972-bumpside) - [1973-1979: Dentside, SuperCab, and F-150](#1973-1979-dentside-supercab-and-f-150) - [1980-1983: Bullnose and the Final F-100](#1980-1983-bullnose-and-the-final-f-100) - [F-100 vs. F-150: 1975-1983](#f-100-vs-f-150-1975-1983) VIN Decoder Decode supported F-100 VIN formats, or use the 1961-1983 data plate decoder for source-backed paint, trim, axle, and transmission codes. [Decode a VIN → ](/vin-decoder/) [1961-1983 Data Plate Decoder → ](/data-plate-decoder/) ## Keep Exploring [HistoryWhen Did Ford Stop Making the F-100? Last Year & F-1501983 was the Ford F-100's final U.S. model year. 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