What are 70s Ford trucks called?
In the 1970s, Ford’s pickups were known collectively as the Ford F-Series. The light-duty line eventually carried the F-150 name, while the heavier models kept the F-250 and F-350 designations.
During the decade, Ford redesigned the F-Series to California-inspired style updates and practical improvements for work and family use, reinforcing the F-Series as the backbone of American pickup trucks throughout the era.
The F-Series lineup in the 1970s
Here are the principal Ford trucks that defined the 1970s lineup, spanning light- to heavy-duty workhorses:
- F-100 — light-duty (half-ton) pickup
- F-150 — light-duty pickup introduced in the mid-1970s to replace the F-100 name for the light line
- F-250 — medium-duty (three-quarter-ton) pickup
- F-350 — heavy-duty (one-ton) pickup
Note: The F-Series continued to evolve through the decade, and the F-150 name would become the mainstay for the light-duty line in the years that followed.
Design and market impact
The 1970s brought a more modern front end and interior updates, helping Ford maintain leadership in the growing pickup segment amid changing fuel economy concerns and regulatory pressures. The broad F-Series lineup allowed Ford to serve ranch, trades, and everyday driving needs with a single, recognizable badge.
Summary
In short, 1970s Ford trucks were called the Ford F-Series. The era saw the light-duty line adopt the F-150 branding in the mid‑1970s, alongside the continuing F-250 and F-350 for heavier applications, establishing a naming convention that endures in today’s lineup.
