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
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 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: first model year of the new F-Series.
- 1949 Ford F-1: second year of the launch design.
- 1950 Ford F-1: final year of the early five-bar grille treatment.
- 1951 Ford F-1: visible grille and cab-detail revisions.
- 1952 Ford F-1: final model year before the F-100 name.
1953-1956: The F-100 Name Arrives
The 1953-1956 second generation 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: F-100 name and second-generation cab debut.
- 1954 Ford F-100: overhead-valve V8 becomes a major light-truck milestone.
- 1955 Ford F-100: year-specific engine, trim, and paint changes continue.
- 1956 Ford F-100: wraparound-windshield body and final year of the generation.
1957-1960: Styleside and Factory Four-Wheel Drive
The 1957-1960 third generation introduced a major redesign and the full-width Styleside pickup box. Ford’s first factory-built four-wheel-drive F-Series arrived for 1959, not 1957.
- 1957 Ford F-100: third-generation body and Styleside box debut.
- 1958 Ford F-100: grille and lighting revisions.
- 1959 Ford F-100: first factory-built four-wheel-drive F-Series model year.
- 1960 Ford F-100: 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 included Ford’s Integral Styleside (enthusiast “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 independent front suspension on two-wheel-drive F-Series trucks.
- 1961 Ford F-100: fourth-generation redesign and Integral Styleside.
- 1962 Ford F-100: Integral Styleside and Separate Styleside both available.
- 1963 Ford F-100: final Integral Styleside model year (dropped mid-year).
- 1964 Ford F-100: separate cab-and-bed construction across the pickup range.
- 1965 Ford F-100: Twin-I-Beam on 2WD; 240 and 300 inline-sixes join the light-duty engine story.
- 1966 Ford F-100: 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 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: new Bumpside body; 240, 300, and 352 engine choices in the F-100 range.
- 1968 Ford F-100: 360 and 390 FE V8s replace the 352 in the engine offering.
- 1969 Ford F-100: 302 Windsor V8 joins the range.
- 1970 Ford F-100: Ranger XLT becomes the top trim; grille and marker treatment change.
- 1971 Ford F-100: revised grille and steering-wheel treatment.
- 1972 Ford F-100: 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 introduced longer 117- and 133-inch regular-cab pickup wheelbases. The SuperCab arrived for 1974, and the F-150 joined the lineup for 1975 between the F-100 and F-250.
- 1973 Ford F-100: Dentside redesign.
- 1974 Ford F-100: SuperCab debut; exceptional F-100 4x2 availability for the 460 V8.
- 1975 Ford F-100: F-150 introduced with a higher 6,050-pound GVW rating than the 5,500-pound F-100.
- 1976 Ford F-100: application-specific emissions and fuel requirements continue to evolve.
- 1977 Ford F-100: F-Series begins its best-selling-truck streak; 351M and 400 replace earlier FE choices in the F-100 range.
- 1978 Ford F-100: rectangular headlamps appear with trim and equipment qualifications.
- 1979 Ford F-100: 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.
1980-1983: Bullnose and the Final F-100
The 1980-1983 seventh generation 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: Bullnose redesign.
- 1981 Ford F-100: standardized 17-character VIN format.
- 1982 Ford F-100: F-Series becomes America’s best-selling vehicle.
- 1983 Ford F-100: 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 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.