2000 Ford F-150: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Additions of power-adjustable pedals and a class-exclusive cab style make news for America's perennial top-selling vehicle. The new cab style is called the SuperCrew and it has four regular-size front-hinged doors. This "crew cab" configuration is traditionally reserved for three-quarter-ton and one-ton pickups. Ford is first to offer it in the more-popular half-ton format. The SuperCrew launched in January as a 2001 model.
As for 2000 F-150s, gas and brake pedals that power fore and aft several inches to accommodate drivers of different heights are available on trucks built after November 1999. The separate Super Duty F-Series line has unique styling and is aimed at commercial users. This report focuses on the F-150.
F-150 regular cab and extended SuperCabs come with two cargo bed styles: flush-fender Styleside boxes in 6.5- and 8-foot lengths, and a bulge-fender 6-foot Flareside. SuperCrews use a 5.5-foot Styleside box with an available tube-frame partition that effectively extends the bed about 2 feet with the tailgate lowered.
SuperCabs have back-hinged rear half-doors that open and close in conjunction with the front doors. SuperCabs come with a 3-place split rear bench seat, which this year is reclined a few additional degrees in an effort to improve room and comfort. The SuperCrew's overall length is similar to that of a short-bed SuperCab, but its cab is 12 inches longer and includes a full-size 3-passenger split-folding rear seat.
All models are offered with rear- or 4-wheel drive. The 4x4s come with a floor-mounted transfer case lever; electronic control via a dashboard switch is optional. Unlike in the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, F-150's 4WD can't be used on dry pavement. Available engines are a 4.2-liter V6, and V8s of 4.6 and 5.4 liters. The 5.4 comes only with automatic transmission, the others with manual or automatic.
All F-150s have a passenger-side airbag with a key-operated disable switch. Rear-wheel antilock brakes are standard; antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are optional on Work and XL models, and included at no extra cost on XLT and top-line Lariat. Maximum payload is 2435 pounds, towing capacity 8200 pounds. The SuperCrew comes in XLT and Lariat trim with V8 power only and offers a power glass sunroof.
The adjustable pedals are offered only with automatic transmission and are controlled by a dashboard switch. They're standard on SuperCrew and Lariats, optional on XLTs.
Among other 2000 changes, an overhead console with compass and outside temperature gauge is standard on all but XL and Work models. Lariats add standard 17-inch wheels in place of 16s, plus turn-signal lights mounted in the outside mirrors. The limited-edition, high-performance Lightning is a 2WD regular-cab Flareside with a supercharged 5.4 V8, sport suspension, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, and the turn-signal mirrors. Added at midyear is the limited-edition Harley-Davidson package for XLT models. Black-and-orange color scheme and special badging link it to the motorcycle manufacturer, and it has a unique grille and 20-inch wheels and tires.

COMPETITION

With the advent of crossover vehicles the segment has become less defined. Once the domain of work-related heavy-duty pickups, buyers are now demanding that their full-size trucks do double duty. Our Best Buys remain the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra. These trucks offer a wide range of powertrain combinations, plenty of luxury accommodations, and ample towing power--though the GM twins are the only ones to offer full-time 4WD.
The big-rig-styled Dodge Ram matches the new Ford and GM models feature for feature but can't match their ride comfort or civility.