Ford F100

Thursday 13 May 2021

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 separate rear fenders, steel sides, and a wooden floor.

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.

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 on model year 1980-1981 trucks. This was discontinued by 1981 for the 1982 model year. Model year 1980–981 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. (A Combination Stop/cargo lamp was not required until September 1, 1993 for the 1994 year model.)

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 (AM/FM and AM/FM Cassette were optional), 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.

Technical data:

- engine: V8

- capacity: 4200 cc

- horsepower: 115 HP

- gearbox: 4+1

- top speed: 140 km/h