When did Ford trucks get independent front suspension?
Background: The era of live axles and Twin-I-Beam
The turning point: 1997 F-Series redesign
What changed technically
Rollout and current status
- 1997: The F-Series redesign introduces true independent front suspension on light-duty pickups (primarily the F-150). This marks the broad move away from the Twin I‑Beam setup for the most popular Ford trucks.
- Late 1990s to early 2000s: The independent front suspension design is progressively extended to additional trim levels and related models within the F-Series, including some configurations of the heavier-duty lines as Ford updated its engineering approach.
- 2000s onward: Ford continues refining the independent front suspension with improved geometry, damping, and articulation across the pickup lineup; by mid-2000s, most Ford light-duty trucks in common use featured IFS, with updates to components and tuning over the years.
- 2010s to present: Modern Ford pickups—most notably the F-150 and its successors—retain independent front suspension, with continued refinements such as improved multi-link arrangements, aluminum body work, and advanced ride-control systems to balance payload, handling, and ride comfort.
Summary
