1997-2004 Ford F-150: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

When Ford redesigned its F-Series pickup truck as an early 1997 model, it had been the top-selling vehicle of any kind for close to 15 years. Only the half-ton F-150 and the three-quarter-ton F-250 were redesigned initially; heavier-duty pickups (F-250 Super Duty and F-350) stuck with the prior design for a while. The F-150 pickup came with rear- or 4-wheel drive, in regular-cab and extended-cab form. Called SuperCab, the latter had a passenger-side third door, plus a 3-place rear seat that folded to create a flat, steel cargo floor. Short-bed models had a 6.5-foot cargo bed; long-bed models held an 8-foot bed. Ford called its flat-side cargo bed Styleside. The Flareside model, with a flared-fender carbo box, came only in short-bed form. A floor-mounted transfer case lever was standard on 4WD models. An electric transfer case, operated by a dashboard switch, was optional. Both allowed shifting in and out of 4WD High range "on the fly," though the 4WD system was not intended for use on dry pavement.Three engines were available: a 4.2-liter V6, an overhead-cam 4.6-liter V8, and a 5.4-liter V8. Manual shift was standard with the two smaller engines, with an automatic transmission optional. Automatic was required with the 5.4-liter V8. All models had dual airbags, along with a key-operated dashboard switch that deactivated the passenger-side airbag. Rear-wheel antilock brakes were standard, with 4-wheel ABS standard on Lariat models and optional on other F-150s.