The first Ford truck came out in 1917 with the Model TT. It sparked a foray into a segment of vehicles that continues to sell at high levels in America. Over 100 years later the Ford pickup is still going strong with the F-150. It’s difficult to say which generation of this popular truck is the best, but some had more impact than others.
Responding to the Oil Crisis
The sixth generation of Ford F-150 ran from 1973 to 1979, which was right in the middle of the OPEC oil crisis. This meant a truck with less power but enhanced interior features to make up for it. The crisis impacted automotive design as well as purchasing decisions from drivers.
As gas became more expensive, drivers looked at more economical options. This led automakers like Ford to make their trucks more affordable and packed with more features. At the same time, light-duty pickups were gaining in popularity. The sixth generation of Ford F-150 marked a time when trucks became more than just work trucks.
One of the trims that helped cement this was the Free Wheelin’ Package for the F-150. This special model featured bright yellow paint and sunset side decals. This helped define the F-150 as a fun truck, not just a work truck.
Attracting Buyers with Options
Ford used a long list of new truck accessories to attract buyers in this generation. Several trims provided a range of different niceties, including luxury options at the time like AC and knitted vinyl seat trim. The EPA began setting emissions requirements at this time, which forced a compromise in performance from larger engines.
Engine technology hadn’t caught up with emissions standards, so even though the F-150 offered a 351ci engine, it only managed 160 horsepower. Despite that, the 6th Generation Ford F-150 had better towing and hauling ability than before thanks to a new suspension system and upgraded shocks.
Ford also made adjustments to the axles and springs of the F-150 so that it could carry more weight in the bed and tow heavier items. Despite the lower horsepower, the engine produced a good amount of torque to help with towing and hauling duties.
Ranking the 6th Generation
The 6th Generation sits pretty solidly in the middle of the pack when it comes to ranking the Ford F-150 generations. It’s definitely not the worst, but it was built in an unfortunate era, which makes it underpowered compared to later models. Ford managed to avoid some of the EPA regulations by making the F-150 heavier, which exempted it from the emissions standards.
This era did see the advent of more luxurious truck interiors though, and the Ranger trim was the most optioned out with features more commonly seen in a full-size sedan. Nevertheless, Ford still curtailed engine output to deal with the high gas prices. Even though a 400ci engine was available, it only made 169 horsepower.
Ultimately, the 6th Generation Ford F-150 is largely remembered for its classic good looks and the way it helped transform the humble pickup into something more than a work truck.
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