Ford F-Series (seventh generation)


The seventh generation of the Ford F-Series is a range of trucks that was produced by Ford from the 1980 to 1986 model years. The first complete redesign of the F-Series since 1965, the seventh generation received a completely new chassis and body.
Distinguished by its squarer look and flatter body panels, this generation marked several firsts for the F-Series, including the introduction of the Ford Blue Oval grille emblem. However, this generation marked the end of the long-running F-100, the Ranger trim, sealed-beam headlamps, and would be the final generation to offer a FlareSide bed with rounded rear fenders.
The seventh-generation F-series was produced by multiple sites in North America and by Ford Argentina and Ford Australia. The model line served as the basis for the eighth and ninth-generation F-Series and the third, fourth, and fifth generations of the Ford Bronco. Though sharing no body parts, the model line shared mechanical commonality with the Ford E-series.

Design history and features

In 1979, Ford debuted a brand new, redesigned F-Series pickup truck line, with the goal of maintaining utility while getting better fuel economy than its previous generation. However, drastic measures were taken in reducing weight, including cutting large holes in the frame; this severely weakened frame rails on model year 1980-1981 trucks, causing them to bend or buckle under load. This frame is known by enthusiasts as the "Swiss cheese frame". This was remedied by 1981 for the 1982 model year, returning the chassis rigidity to the same toughness and strength as the previous generation. Model year 1980–1981 trucks had a plain grille with "FORD" spelled across the front of the hood in chrome lettering, similar to the 1978-1979 models of the previous generation.
The 1982 model year was marked by a slight but important cosmetic change: 1982–86 models had the "FORD" letters above the grille removed, and a Ford oval placed in the center of the grille, with fewer vertical bars in the grille itself. This made the 1982 the first model year to feature the Blue Oval on the front, a trademark of all Ford pickups since, with the exception of the 2010–present F-150 SVT Raptor. The frame was strengthened and the trucks became heavier for 1982; this frame would underpin the F-Series until the 1997 redesign. Grille options included a full chrome grille, a black grille or the standard flat grey plastic grille. The headlight bezels also came in several color options, ranging from light grey, grey, dark grey, and black; with the latter two being the most common.
Introduced for 1980 models, an optional resettable trip meter was installed on speedometers and the mileage counter was moved to the top of the speedometer as part of the optional Sport Instrumentation Group. The Sport Instrumentation Group also included the optional tachometer in the center of the cluster, as well as oil and ammeter gauges. In 1984, the body moulding and interior trim were updated. In 1985-1986 models, the upper accent mouldings were moved below the front marker. For 1985, the rear tailgate moulding on XLT models was updated and previewed the design of the 1987 model. This molding has become increasingly rare and fetches a high price. A cargo light was available as an option and was included in the Light Group option package.
17 different colors were available, along with two-tone options and a choice of clearcoat or non-clearcoat paint.
Various standard equipment included interesting features such as a coat hook on the driver's side, AM radio, scuff plates and vent windows. The back of the glove compartment door featured coin slots and cup depressions to hold cups and food similar to a food tray on a train. This was a feature only found on this generation and never on later models. It also showed a diagram with lift points as well as other mechanical information. Sliding rear windows were optional as well as cargo lights, under-hood lights, and many others. Ford offered over 150 options for the seventh-generation F-Series.

Special Order Equipment

F-Series pickups were available in five configurations: regular cab or SuperCab with either or bed lengths, or crew cab with bed beginning in 1982.
For 1980, numerous special order equipment was offered on all F-100, 81 model pickup truck with a V6 motor 250, and 350 models. These are listed below with their respective descriptions.
This generation saw two different sets of trim levels:
For 1980 and 1981, there was:
For 1982–1986:
The seventh-generation F-Series marked a major transition in the powertrains used by the pickup line. As before, the standard engine was a carbureted 300 cubic-inch inline-6. For 1982, this was supplemented by a 3.8 L V6 borrowed from the Fox platform; it was dropped after 1983 as the result of slow sales. The standard V8 remained the 302 Windsor V8. To further boost fuel efficiency, a downsized 255 cubic-inch version of the 302 Windsor V8 was made an option; it proved unpopular and was dropped after 1983. As Ford streamlined its small-block V8 engine lineup, the 351M was replaced by the 351 Windsor. Initially, the largest engine offered was the 400 V8 carried over from the previous generation; it was available only in F-350 and certain F-250 models. As similar-size engines were discontinued by General Motors and Chrysler during the late 1970s, the 400 was discontinued after 1982.
In 1982, the 460 V8 made its return as the replacement for the 400 on 1983 models. The reintroduced 460 was now externally balanced, like its 302 and 351 Windsor stable mates. Coinciding with the reintroduction of the big-block 460, Ford introduced another engine offering for buyers seeking higher-output engines. Largely a response to General Motors, who had offered diesel-engined pickups since 1977, Ford produced their first North American diesel F-Series in 1982, while in Argentina the F-100 carried over the same 3.3L Perkins 4.203 available since the 3rd generation F-series. Rather than develop its own engine, the 6.9 L IDI V8 was the product of a joint venture with International Harvester. The 460 was first offered in 4x4s in 1983 as an option on 1984 models. Up until that point, it had never been offered in 4WD models.
In 1984, the 302 Windsor was available with electronic fuel injection as an option on 1985 models; a year later, it became standard. The F-150 equipped with the 3-speed manual transmission was the second-to-last American vehicle to have a column-shifted manual transmission; it was discontinued after 1986, a year before similar Chevrolet and GMC models.
The heavy duty Ford C6 3-speed automatic transmission, marketed as the "Select-Shift" automatic, was the standard automatic transmission all years and came paired with most engine options if ordered. Various transfer cases were used, most built by New Process Gear. NP208F cases were most common. Each feature a stick-shift 4WD engagement, with 4 speeds: 4 Low, 4 High, Neutral and 2 High. Various Borg-Warner transfer cases were also used.

Axles, Differentials, and Suspension

This generation was the first time Ford used Independent suspension on their full size 4x4 trucks, as well as being the first time any of the Big Three made a 4x4 full size truck without a solid front axle. Ford and Dana Holding Corporation called this the Twin Traction Beam or TTB and used many of Dana Spicer parts. The F-150 used a light duty Dana 44 TTB. From 1979-1984, the rear axle was typically a Ford 9-inch axle, with the Ford 8.8 axle being phased gradually until the 9" was finally phased out before the 1987 model year. The F-250 used an 8 lug version of the Dana 44 TTB called the Dana 44 TTBHD with the Dana 50 TTB being an option. The rear was a Dana 60 until mid 1985 when Ford phased out that axle for their own Sterling 10.25. Dana 60s could be either full float or semi float and came with a range of gear ratios. Semi float Dana 60s were either c-clip style, which utilize c-clips to hold the axle shafts in, or pressed in bearings which held the axles in with a special wheel bearing that bolted to the outer axle housing inside the brake drum. These were typically used in lighter duty trucks. Up until then, early 1985 models were built with left over 1984 materials, making some parts tough to find. The F-350 used the Dana 50 TTB in front until a mid-year change in 1985, when the F-350 was fitted with the Dana 60 solid front axle. F-250s could be ordered with a Dana 50 TTB if it was a heavier duty model; all other F-250's were equipped with a Dana 44 TTB. These trucks were leaf sprung and used a single gas shock with no coil springs and radius arms like on the F-150. For the rear axle the F-350 trucks used a Dana 60 for the single rear wheel trucks and a Dana 70 for the dual rear wheel trucks until 1985 when Ford once again phased in their own Sterling axle. Factory lifts used 2" blocks on the rear suspension, or 2" front and 4" rear on HD trucks, usually on F250s and higher trims. Heavier duty F150s could be ordered with 2" blocks.

Medium-Duty F-Series

For the first time since 1967, the medium-duty version of the F-Series were completely redesigned. Adopting design elements from the heavier Ford L-series conventionals, the medium-duty trucks received a trapezoidal front grille with lowered front fenders. Sharing its cab with the pickup trucks, the medium-duty trucks were offered as a two-door standard cab and as a four-door crew cab.
The medium-duty trucks were offered with two gasoline engine, a 6.1L and a 7.0L ; both V8s were variants of the 7.5L developed for truck use. Multiple diesel engines were offered through its production as an option. Initially launched with the Caterpillar 3208 and Detroit Diesel 8.2L V8s, the medium-duty trucks received inline-6 engines developed jointly by Ford and New Holland during the late 1980s, ultimately receiving Cummins B-series and C-series diesels.
With the exception of powertrain revisions, this generation of the medium-duty F-Series was produced nearly unchanged for 19 years. For 1984, the "FORD" lettering was replaced by the Ford Blue Oval emblem ; for 1995, the hood was restyled with a new grille and turn signals.
For the 1999 model year, this generation was replaced by a redesigned medium-duty range, derived from the Ford Super Duty pickup.

Argentina

launched domestic production of the F-Series in 1982 in General Pacheco, replacing imported trucks from the United States. This generation included the F-100, F-350 and the medium duty trucks F-600/6000 and F-700/7000.
Dealers such as Igarreta still provide customized configurations for the trucks, such as extended cabs and other bodywork. Additionally, the Deutz 913-series engines for aftermarket were offered from 1983 to 1987 for all models, including medium duty trucks.