The Ford F-150 is one of the top names for those looking to buy a powerful truck. This workhorse has established a long reputation for strength, durability, and performance, both for those looking for a fun truck to drive the back roads on the weekends and those looking for a dependable performer for work.
Ford began building the reputation for the F-150 nearly a century ago. The first generation of the popular pickup was introduced in 1948 as part of the Ford F-series. That series included other pickup trucks, buses, panel trucks, and more. Ford continues to produce the F-150, as well as other vehicles in the F-series, and it has built on its tradition of excellence.
The Ford F-150 is currently in its fourteenth generation. Tim’s Truck Capital is proud to offer many previously owned F-150 trucks from the last few years, offering the best of what this lineup has produced. Because this truck was built to last, you can find trucks that are a decade or two old still on the streets. That’s why you’ll also find some older models on our lot from time to time, and why you can feel confident in considering these for your next truck.
Of course, exactly what you get from the Ford F-150 depends a great deal on what model year you are looking at and how the truck was configured when it was purchased, such as what trim level it was and what packages or optional features were chosen. However, here’s a look at what you can expect to find on the Ford F-150 based on the last couple of generations, which are the years you are most likely to find when you are looking at previously owned models:
This generation of the Ford F-series was built around the Ford Atlas concept vehicle that was unveiled at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. That concept featured a design that made several changes to the established F-series. On the F-150, the design changes included a reduction in curb weight of nearly 750 pounds, which made the truck more nimble and much more fuel-efficient. The F-150 is known as a half-ton, or full-size, pickup truck, and these trucks are usually known for their high gas consumption. The design changes in this generation sought to change that dramatically, and they did. With the exception of the firewall and the frame, every piece of steel on the Ford F-150 was exchanged for aluminum.
The look of the F-150 got a bit of a makeover in this generation also. The profile became not only sleeker but also beefier. The front end was brought up and forward, for a more snub-nosed effect. Angles were squared off throughout the profile, giving it a more substantial look. Yet subtle grooves, chrome details, and other fine details make the truck look more stylish than its predecessor - and more stylish than most work trucks on the market.
The generation got a mid-cycle refresh in 2018, which featured changes like dropping from a three-bar design to a two-bar design and new cab options.
The previous generation of the Ford F-150 came standard with a 3.7-liter V6 engine, but that was dropped for this generation of the truck. Instead, it came standard with a 3.5-liter V6. Additional engine options included a 5.0-liter V8, a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, and a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. With the 2018 refresh, a 3.3-liter V6 was introduced as the standard engine, replacing the 3.5-liter. The 2018 refresh also saw the introduction of the first PowerStroke diesel for the F-150 - a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that put out 250 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission options depended on the engine options chosen, but some possibilities included the standard six-speed automatic and the optional 10-speed automatic.
Of course, when looking at any truck appropriate for work needs, it is important to look at towing and payload capacity. The Ford F-150 is capable of handling some pretty heavy loads. The first few models in this generation had a towing capacity of up to 12,200 pounds, while the 2018 refresh pushed that to 13,200 pounds. The payload for these trucks - or the amount the trucks could carry in their bed and cab - was 3,300 pounds.
All Ford F-150 trucks have offered a variety of cab options, including the regular cab, super cab, and super crew cab. The choice of cab not only impacted how much passenger and cargo space was available, but also what kind of interior design was offered. Typically, with the larger cabs, the F-150 tended to offer more luxury features, including a more plush cab with higher-quality materials.
The features you’ll find on F-150 models from this generation depend on the model year, the trim level, and how the original truck was configured with options packages. Some features you may find include the MyFord Touch infotainment system, a voice-controlled SYNC system, a navigation system, an 8-inch touchscreen display, a 10-speaker Sony audio system, and USB ports for charging.
Ford also added safety equipment to the F-150 in this generation, including adaptive cruise control with stop and go and pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection. Other safety features you may find on these models include rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Of course, rearview cameras were standard at this point.
While the most recent Ford F-150 shares a strong resemblance to the outgoing generation models, it actually received a huge update, with 92 percent of its parts undergoing a redesign. Its cab and pickup box structure were carried over, but the remaining parts all got some minor or major tweaks. Many of the changes were designed to make the truck more aerodynamic, to both improve performance and to improve fuel efficiency. The Ford F-150 looks better than ever, with bold and stylish design that you’ll be able to show off anywhere you want to go.
Many of the same engine options available on the previous generation are offered on this generation. The new lineup includes a 3.3-liter V6, 2.7-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6. 5.0-liter V8, and a 3.0-liter diesel V6. The V8 also saw some changes, with a new cylinder deactivation system, known as Variable Displacement Engine (VDE) technology.
A special edition Ford Raptor was also offered, which came with a 3.5-liter V6. In addition, a hybrid powertrain was introduced for the first time for a Ford light truck with this generation of the F-150. The powertrain was a PowerBoost 3.5-liter V6. Another special edition, the Ford F-150 Lightning, featured an all-electric engine.
Ford dropped the six-speed automatic for the F-150 and made a 10-speed automatic the standard option for all trim levels and editions.
The newest F-150 trucks are powerful and able to take on any terrain, and they offer you more options in configuring your truck to get just what you need. When you are shopping for previously owned models, that means you will have a lot more potential options, as well.
The Ford F-150 continues to be able to haul heavy loads, and both towing and payload capacity were increased with this generation. Depending on configuration, this generation of the Ford F-150 was able to tow up to 14,000 pounds, and it has a maximum payload of 3,325 pounds. While the numbers do not represent profound changes, they do mean that you can haul more with the F-150, ensuring that you have what you need for the job.
Ford has always been an innovator in the automotive field, and it continues to add the best to its vehicles, including the F-150. Some interior changes include fold-flat front seats for easier storage. The 8-inch touchscreen carries over, but a larger, 12-inch touchscreen is available on higher trim levels. A digital instrument panel is also added, as is a new SYNC4 system and an embedded 4G LTE modem. The SYNC4 system includes real-time mapping and voice controls.
Active Drive Assist is also offered as a driver assistance system.
The Ford F-150 is an amazing truck that offers a great combination of powerful performance and exceptional style. Tim’s Truck Capital is proud to offer a lineup of Ford F-150 models from various years. We carefully inspect every vehicle before we offer it for sale, and our F-150s are the best of the best. They come in a variety of configurations, and our knowledgeable associates are ready to help you find the perfect model to fit your needs. You can test drive a truck and try out its many features, and we’re confident you’ll fall in love. Our finance specialists are also ready to help you find the right terms to fit your budget so you can drive home with your new F-150 today.