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Ford F-150 pickup truck makes a breakthrough with new model
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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To cheers from hundreds of Virginians who built it, the red SuperCab edition of a redesigned F-150 pickup truck crashed through a wall of sham brick and mortar at Ford's Norfolk Assembly Plant, then rolled to a stop in the harsh spotlight of television news cameras.
As dust settled on the sleek sloped hoodline and bold front grille, officials from Ford and United Auto Workers emerged from the passenger compartment to proclaim this truck as "Job One," first production model in a new design for the label that ranks as America's most popular vehicle.
This dramatic debut of the 1997 F-150 as it burst through the mock brick wall symbolized a breakthrough design which Ford's team developed for the truck.
It's bigger than before, in terms of inches added to wheelbase as well as the passenger compartment.
It carries a cabin that feels more like that of a fine sedan, and the extended SuperCab edition provides seats for four or more with access through three doors.
It stocks serious horsepower with choice of V6 or V8 engine and manual or automatic transmission, and it wears sophisticated suspension components designed to make the truck stick solidly to the road but still easy to handle whether off-road or on pavement.
It also provides safety equipment never before found on a pickup truck -- such as twin airbags for front riders plus adjustable-height 3-point seatbelts.
And it comes in such an array of configurations that you'll need a chart to sort out all editions.
Clearly, Ford has reinvented its mainstay model.
"When we sat down to develop a new F-Series, we wanted more than a successor to the current model," Tom Baughman, the F-150's chief program engineer, confided. "We wanted to take the concept of a full-size pickup to a new level."
Keep in mind that by developing a new generational design for Ford's full-size pickup, Baughman and team would be tampering with a virtual icon of the automotive industry.
For the past 13 consecutive years, F-150 has led all other nameplates -- car or truck -- for volume sales, and has ranked as best-selling truck for 18 straight years. With increasing numbers of consumers choosing a truck over a conventional car, Ford's designers had to get this one right: Bring innovation and new features for performance, pack aboard comforts and conveniences to make F-150 more car-like, while still carry forward truck-tough workhorse characteristics of the previous version to keep from alienating Ford's core market.
Did they do it?
It's radically wonderful but only time will reveal that answer, as Ford brings the new design to market in phases.
Ultimately, the new F-150 will be produced at four of Ford's North American assembly plants, although for the first half of 1996 only Norfolk and Kansas City sites will build the redesigned 1997 version while other plants extend the life of regular-cab 1996 models plus larger F-250 and F-350 heavy-duty trucks.
It's a complex problem to satisfy consumer demand for the country's most popular vehicle, yet shut down a plant for months at a time to retool and prepare for a new model. Rather than stop production entirely -- something Ford's general manager Ross Roberts admits the company could not afford due to demand -- Ford chose a bilateral approach.
Side-by-side comparisons of the former and new Ford pickups reveal significant improvements have been made.
To acquaint myself with these new designs, I spent time in all versions of pre-production prototypes at various sites in Texas and Virginia during a three-month period last fall. Experience behind the wheel of these F-150s included models with V6 and V8 engines in regular and SuperCab styles with both short and long wheelbases, plus Styleside and sporty Flairside exterior shapes and chassis rigged with either conventional rear-wheel or sticky 4x4 traction.
Regular and SuperCab models for 1997 F-150 will be trimmed as Standard, XL, XLT and luxurious Lariat editions for both 4x2 and 4x4 arrangements.
Even a quick glance at the new design indicates this truck looks different from all others.
It's round and muscular in front with crisp wrap-around bumper, horizontal grille and aero-style headlamps.
The sharply raked windshield, with 27 percent more surface than the previous model, sets up an airy feel to the expanded passenger compartment and signals improved visibility for driver.
Inside, more curves come from a highly functional dash design, which integrates easy-to-view and easy-to-reach instruments and controls in a system that houses the dual airbags and mounts through a unique cross-truck beam welded to frame for no-squeak durability.
The Regular Cab version, with more head room and more seat-track travel space than competitors provide, features bench seating for three with more storage room behind the seat. On XLT and Lariat trims, you can select a 40/60 split bench to customize the driver's side.
The SuperCab adds an optional 40/60 split rear bench that folds to form a flat floor. A pillarless third door on the right side swings open for easy access to the rear area in a concept that emulates the convenience of a sedan.
Throughout the cabin, car-like details for comfort and practicality may be found -- from cupholders and support handles to hooks and levers, even a key that disengages the passenger's airbag when installing an infant seat in the right front passenger's spot.
For power, new F-150 delivers.
As standard plant, a 4.2-liter V6 pumps 210 hp.
Yet a new single-cam 4.6-liter Triton V8 also generates 210 hp but produces 90 percent of its torque by 2000 rpm, which makes this one ideal for hauling heavy loads.
The 4x2 uses a new independent front suspension with solid rear axle, while the 4x4 with front torsion bar has an optional off-road package with heavy-duty shocks and firm spring rates, plus shielding for undercarriage components.
On pavement the truck's drive quality feels firm but like a refined car, while off-road in the 4x4 through dust and mud alike it's sure-footed and aggressive.
Overall, Ford's new truck leaps ahead with an advanced design that's authoritative and powerful, yet friendly.
1997 FORD F-150
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1997 FORD F150 Specs |
| Description: |
Full-size pickup truck |
| Model Options: |
Full-size pickup truck |
| Wheelbase: |
4x2: 119.9 inches
138.5 inches
157.1 inches
4x4: 120.2 inches
138.8 inches
157.4 inches |
| Overall Length: |
4x2: 202.2 inches
220.8 inches
239.4 inches
4x4: 203.7 inches
222.3 inches
240.9 inches
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| Engine Size: |
OHV 4.2-L V6
OHC 4.6-L V8
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Rear, 4x4 |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Price: |
$ 15,000 to $ 30,000 |
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