When did Ford switch from F100 to F-150?
The switch from the F-100 to the F-150 occurred with the 1975 model year, marking Ford's formal rename of its light-duty pickup. The broader F-Series lineup continued with heavier variants such as the F-250 and F-350.
Historical context of the F-Series naming
For decades, Ford's F-Series used numerical suffixes to distinguish payload and capabilities. The light-duty line previously carried the F-100, while the heavier-duty lines used F-250 and F-350. In the mid-1970s, Ford redesigned the range and introduced the F-150 as the successor to the F-100 for the 1975 model year, signaling a shift in branding that would endure for generations.
The moment of change: 1975
In 1975, Ford formally introduced the F-150 as the successor to the F-100. This marked the official transition of the light-duty pickup to the F-150 naming, while the F-250 and F-350 continued as the heavier-duty options within the same series. The change was part of a broader redesign of the F-Series that year, positioning the F-150 as the standard-bearer for Ford’s half-ton lineup.
What changed for buyers
For customers, the change meant seeing the familiar light-duty pickup branded as the F-150 rather than the F-100. The new name accompanied styling and engineering updates that introduced a new generation of Ford’s popular pickup, sets the stage for the F-150 to become Ford’s best-selling model line for decades to come.
In short, the 1975 model year marks the official transition from F-100 to F-150 in the United States, establishing the enduring F-150 branding for Ford's light-duty pickup.
Legacy of the F-150
Since its debut in 1975, the F-150 has evolved through numerous generations, maintaining the core identity of Ford’s flagship light-duty pickup while expanding capabilities, comfort, and technology. The model has offered a range of cab styles, bed lengths, and powertrains to meet diverse needs, from work trucks to family haulers.
Key evolutions in the F-150 lineup include:
- 1975: F-150 name introduced, replacing the F-100 as the light-duty model.
- Late 1980s–1990s: Redesigns improved aerodynamics, safety, and ride quality; broader engine options expanded capability.
- 1997: Introduction of extended cab variants (SuperCab) and later SuperCrew configurations, increasing interior space and versatility.
- 2015: Aluminum alloy body introduced to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency while retaining strength.
- 2022: All-electric F-150 Lightning announced and launched, expanding the lineup beyond internal combustion engines.
Today, the F-150 remains Ford's flagship pickup, repeatedly updated across generations to reflect changing consumer needs and advanced technologies, including electrification and advanced driver-assistance features.
Summary
Ford officially switched from F-100 to F-150 for the 1975 model year, marking a lasting rename of its light-duty pickup within the F-Series. Since then, the F-150 has grown into Ford’s core model, evolving through multiple generations, adopting an aluminum body in 2015, and expanding into an all-electric variant with the F-150 Lightning in 2022. The name has endured as a symbol of Ford’s half-ton capability and versatility.
What's the difference between an F-100 and an F-150?
Moreover, the F-100 could accept non-leaded fuel only, while the F-150 could accept non-leaded or “regular” fuel, which was a big deal back in the '70s when leaded gasoline was actually still used (and cheaper than unleaded). This put the F-150 in the same class as its heavy-duty F-250 and F-350 siblings.
What year did Ford go from F-100 to F-150?
The F-150 appears for the first time in 1975. Even though it soon surpasses the F-100 in popularity, the F-100 remains on the order books until 1983. Rectangular headlights are offered on upper trim levels in 1978 and become standard in 1979.
When did Ford stop making F-100 trucks?
The most popular version of the model line is the F-150 pickup truck, currently in its fourteenth generation (introduced for the 2021 model year). From 1953 to 1983, the entry-level F-Series pickup was the 1⁄2 ton F-100.
Why did Ford change from F-100 to F-150?
In the midst of this generation, in 1975, Ford introduced the F-150 as an option designed to offer greater payload and muscle than the F-100 without going all the way up to the capabilities of the F-250.
