1997 Ford F-150 | Retro Review

the 10th gen 1997 Ford F-150 was a new truck from bumper to bumper for the first time since 1980, and a continued success in the showroom.
Show 1523 | Original Airdate 02-07-1996
Want to help keep our weekly Retro Reviews alive? DONATE NOW: mptevents.regfox.com/motorweek
Follow us on social media:
Facebook ( / motorweektv )
Twitter ( / motorweek )
Instagram ( / motorweek

[@CJL36]

The American dream of the late 90's was having one of these in the driveway for the husband, and a "Bubble" Taurus in the garage for the wife. So wholesome.

[@fernandochaves9665]

And a '70 Torino Cobra in the garage.

[@ronhoover5516]

Yes, it was. Can we go back there, please?

[@mravocadoman2904]

Simpler times

[@Star-fc4ni]

You mean jelly bean Taurus.

[@JamesK7911]

Ehhh I’d say the wife’s desired car at the time was the Ford Explorer or the Dodge Caravan for the kids while the dad had the F-150 and Taurus😅 I was born in 2002 and growing up my dad had his 2002 Ford F-250 SuperDuty and 2004 Buick Regal while my mom drove a 2002 Dodge Caravan before switching to a 2007 Honda Odyssey. Now as of 2024 my dad has a 2013 Dodge Ram 3500 and 2007 Buick Rendezvous while my mom has a 2021 Honda Pilot and I have a 2001 Ford F-150 😆

[@mikek5298]

Such a clean design, especially the front end. None of the gaudy, ridiculous hideous front ends out there today. Also do not need a step ladder to look under the hood or get into the cab and bed.

[@brspeedysgarage]

Agreed, one of the better looking gens

[@bobhill3941]

I thought the exact same attributes growing up seeing them all the time as a kid in the 90's.

[@michealcorleone665]

that thing is ugly but god damn its reliable

[@cylevernon]

And, it’ll kill you in a head-on collision.

[@lyman135]

Most feminine looking truck ever. Just no.....

[@SirtubalotTX]

10th gen F150 with 2 valve motors up to 2003 are still some of the best trucks you can own. (The 'Heritage" in 2004 still kept the 2v also). I have one and I'm not getting rid of it ever.

[@luisinhoens90]

one of the best generations ever. Some people may not have liked the Jelly bean design when it came out but it sod in droves and it has aged well

[@hakeemsd70m]

I agree, it's a great looking truck even in 2022!

[@fernandochaves9665]

Most underrated truck design in history.

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

@@fernandochaves9665 Fantastic truck this generation of F150. Great engines

[@Commentleaver-c6x]

The GMC’s and Chevys of this time put them to shame, both in looks and reliability.

[@betterdeadthanred839]

There's still a lot of these on the road. Just in my neighborhood there's at least 3-4 of them that I see daily.

[@hakeemsd70m]

I'm genuinely surprised at how many of these 97-03 trucks I still see on the road in 2023.

[@motormouth2472]

It probably depends on what part of the country you're in. Up North in the salt belt, you don't see these a lot anymore. Just all rusted away. But there are a couple times where I still see them. Good trucks

[@BC08]

There are legitimately one of the best built trucks ever made. I see so many of these that still look great, even with clean factory paint

[@anthonyhales4192]

@@motormouth2472i live in the northeast they are everywhere. there is no chevys or dodges of these years around. THEY all rusted away.

[@bigpeyt8659]

I have a 1997 Lariat Super Cab Flareside 4x4 5.4 Triton and I love it. This is my favorite year ever for the F150. Mine has reached over 600,000 miles with the original drivetrain and is still chugging, heading to 1,000,000 miles.

[@michaelhungate7506]

I have the last year of this design, an 03 F150 5.4 with 403,000 miles and runs silent, original powertrain too. I hope to get many many more miles, hopefully 600,000 or more.

[@bigpeyt8659]

@@michaelhungate7506 Nice. You just can’t beat them.

[@fernandochaves9665]

Built Ford Tough, not just a slogan.

[@michealcorleone665]

its crazy you still see alot of these on the road today

[@turbo8454]

There are none left on the road in the salt belt. 15 years was max before the frame dissolved.

[@bldontmatter5319]

@@turbo8454 what's new. Sadly, my friends Chevy split in half, and so did his Tacoma. It needs to be illegal to salt the roads. No one can drive regardless in the snow

[@hakeemsd70m]

I still see a lot of these trucks near me. Some rusted out, and some look brand new. I just saw an '01 SuperCrew cruising the other day, looked like a brand new truck.

[@LP-gs3xj]

I have a 1998. The best vehicle I have ever owned. My daughter drove it from California to Ohio last year. Not a single glitch. Out in my driveway as I write this

[@chriss4365]

I have a 97 and it runs perfect, also in the driveway.

[@RohanSanjith]

Any rust issues?

[@LP-gs3xj]

@@RohanSanjith it spent a lot of time in California- no salt allowed. Just returned back to Ohio a couple of years ago. Rust is minor. Headliner is giving way though.

[@markk3652]

It hasn't rusted away to dust yet?

[@LP-gs3xj]

@@markk3652 a little rust. Spent 13 years in California- no salt

[@hank1556]

I just picked up a 2003 FX4 5speed. 3.55, limited slip and a bulletproof 4.6. Awesome truck!

[@JDMsubaruGuy]

5MT with a 4.6L? That's a rare combo!

[@jamespettigrew6399]

Don't be to hard on the tranny, it's a little fragile and they don't like the torque of the 4.6. it's the m5od from the 4.0 ranger.

[@santinoeli71506]

@@JDMsubaruGuy I CAN'T STAND TRANSMISSION INITIALS I SEE A LOT!!!!🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬😪😪

[@bldontmatter5319]

@@santinoeli71506 cry

[@bldontmatter5319]

@@JDMsubaruGuy rare for a reason. They aren't a good pair. The torque of the pushrod V6 with the manual is a way better pairing than the modular engine

[@brantisonfire]

My friend's mom had a 97 extended cab, long bed with the 4.2L and a stick shift. The tail end would break loose so easily, we'd drift around on dirt/gravel back roads (and this is before we even knew what "drifting" was). Sadly, it was totaled when it ran off the road in a rain storm into a deep ditch, messed up the entire front suspension and structural parts.

[@cub1009]

My dad had a 1997 F-150 for 13 years. He put well over 200k miles on it. It was a good reliable truck for a long time. It eventually rusted out really bad and it was time to sell it.

[@fungalcream3814]

lol who bought that shit? how much u sell it for

[@markk3652]

Sell it to whom?

[@cub1009]

@@markk3652 I'm not sure who he sold it too. He put it for sale out in the front of the house and it was gone within a week or two. I think he was asking $2000 for it back then. It was a 13 year old truck with 200k+ miles at the time.

[@richardbonillasjr2863]

Agreed

[@stevenboswell220]

My dad had one for 22 years, put over 250k on it. It was a great truck.

[@digitricks]

I always wondered if Motorweek did a video on the 1997 F-150 back then! My father ordered one the same burgundy color brand new back in late 1996 with the 4.6L, supercab, long bed, 4 wheel drive, and a 5-speed manual transmission. We still have it to this day as mainly a spare vehicle and it is always a treat to drive!

[@BrownBomber92181]

Wow, what i wouldn't do to find a 4wd 10th gen with a 4.6 and a 5 speed, been looking for quite sometime

[@bldontmatter5319]

@@BrownBomber92181 get the 4.2 Same reliability, easier to work on, pushrod so lower end torque (worse mpg though)

[@SprouseyTheHandyMan]

Let me buy it

[@HypocriticYT]

I truly loved MW when you had to set a particular time aside to watch it on tv. You planned your day around it.

[@patrickmichael3384]

So did I.

[@RubyRoks]

I love Ford's mid to late 90s bubble aesthetic, but i also understand that nostalgia of my parent's 96 Contour they had when i was born to around when i turned 10 is the cause for that love

[@punchy207]

yeah i do too, theyre some of the best looking vehicles imo

[@s19pajua13]

My dad had a 02 lariat crew cab he got for a absolute steal back when I was in elementary school in like 08. Such a solid truck unfortunately he totaled it around 3 years ago after putting 150k miles on it. Absolute machine

[@synapticburn]

I bought an 03 sport off the lot when the 04s came out. I really prefer the look of these aero styled trucks, they still look great on the road today. Wish I still had mine.

[@dandennis8465]

I bought an 03 in Dec 02 and still have it.

[@BrownBomber92181]

These 10th gen Fords looked soft but they were very tough trucks. Back in the 90's I had a 97 ext cab, short bed 2wd with a 5.4. My dad had a 98 Ram with the same setup & a 5.9. We needed to pickup 30 bags of quick Crete, 100lbs a piece. We put 15 bags in each truck, mine was level & his rear end was sagging big time & driving down the road his front end was bouncing up and down.

[@luisinhoens90]

no joke, those 2nd gen Rams were not that good in payload, specifically the 1500s. Some configurations in ext cab would max at 1100 lbs or so. No joke. And I'm a Ram owner (much improved trucks right now) but that's the truth

[@BrownBomber92181]

@@luisinhoens90 yea, it seemed like the capacity was around 1,000 lbs or so. My truck was 1,750, I didn't realize it was such a big difference

[@crash953]

The 97-03 f150s are fantastic trucks. Not everyone loves the styling but they last forever if taken care of

[@tmo2798]

They outlast the people who shot themselves by those spark plugs. You motorweek fans don't do your own tune-ups, do you?

[@admiralrustyshackleford119]

@@tmo2798 This generation had the 2v 4.6s and 5.4s, they're not equipped with the auto-ejecting spark plugs... That'd be the later model trucks with the 3v heads. Only real nightmare with this particular generation is if you ever have to change a heater core on one of them.

[@tmo2798]

@@admiralrustyshackleford119 o

[@bldontmatter5319]

@@admiralrustyshackleford119 do you play airsoft

[@JoeBlowski]

@@admiralrustyshackleford119 Wrong about the plugs.

[@BrightleafRG]

I have a 97 that was built in the Norfolk VA plant in 12/95 for the January 96 release. It's a SuperCab 4x4 Offroad with the 4.6 and 4R70W auto.

[@jmin8400]

👍 Yep, but most of the idiots commenting here, keep thinking we literally started production of these in 1997.🤦 Nope, it was November 1995 for January 1996 release.

[@BrightleafRG]

@@jmin8400 yup, Norfolk plant started up first from what I read. Were there any trucks ever snickered as 11/95? I've only ever seen 12/95.

[@jmin8400]

@@BrightleafRG Wednesday, November 29th, so based on that date, yeah only two days of assembly that month. December 1995 is definitely the earliest majority lol.

[@BrightleafRG]

@@jmin8400 is the last 5 of the vin the number that it rolled down the line of all the 97 model 150s or the number based on configuration? Mine is 07224.

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

It’s sure nice to see velour cloth and color-keyed interiors weren’t that long ago. The sea of coffin-like black interiors today is majorly depressing.

[@millerkiller6496]

Now that you mention it, I would say you’re right.

[@Scout819]

Yeah, I hate how especially on the lower trims, your only options are black, or grey(sometimes only grey). That's why I like those western themed trucks, like the King Ranch. Just something different.

[@thrillbilly6147]

Original owner of my 1997 Ford F-150 XL super cab with 205878 miles.

[@danjones3402]

Still a very clean look to this day. Can be modified in so many ways and still look good!!The Ford Lighting was probably my favorite!!

[@enigma02g]

Its 2022, I still own a 97 F150 4x2 supercab with 270k miles. Had it for 12 years as the 3rd owner - But it has a production date of 4/96 meaning it was possibly one of the very first ever made. I would love to meet the man who likely preordered the truck and waited like a kid on christmas.

[@jmin8400]

We began production of these in November 1995, so it's not one of the very first ones and not even Job 1. These hit dealers in January 1996.

[@vwestlife]

I still see plenty of these on the road today, running on 7 cylinders and nearly rusting in two.

[@roketfingers]

Ehh who needs spark plugs and fenders anyway

[@exxusdrugstore300]

The realest comment. I love Ford but these trucks just weren't it. I see more of them than the next generation, which were total shit, but these are still looking rough these days. OBS Fords with some battle scars look like Dirty Harry. These look like beluga whales with herpes.

[@dylanmooney327]

Not to mention having the infamous lifter tick sounding exaust

[@roketfingers]

@@dylanmooney327 that would be the generation after this with the 5.4 3v

[@BrightleafRG]

@@dylanmooney327 these have a manifold tick but the 04+ 3V 5.4 had the cam phasers that failed.

[@lightningblue648]

My first new truck was an 01 regular cab, off road package, 5.4 V8, and built at the Norfolk Assembly Plant. Excellent vehicle.

[@jonsmith4364]

Just titled my 1997 regular cab, short box with classic plates. No one seems to like this 10th gen, but I'm glad, as the earlier generations everybody wants them and wants your first born for one that still runs.., I bought another 99 that still ran, for less than a 1000, just for parts and yes, this past year.

[@richardalvarez6768]

Was the 99 you bought a 4x4 model? I was looking at a 9th gen 4x4 but most of them are going for 13k . 10th gens are about 5-8k

[@jonsmith4364]

@@richardalvarez6768 Rich the 99 was not a 4x4. I had bought it for body parts. I did buy a used 2001 supercrew Lariat 4x4 in 2015 from my son, he had bought it used in 2011, so it had history. It ran great but at sometime in its life it was in the north or along the coast as it was excessively rusted, to the point we though at one time it may have been underwater.....I have looked at 9th gen and earlier the cost just seemed to be high. On another note, I've seen more than a handful of 10th gens (other than Ligtnings) at the Good Guys auto shows and few at the F100 Roundup in Texas. When fully restored, they look bada$$.....

[@fastdogcobra]

Great trucks. Love my 97 4x4 regular cab 4.6. Still going strong after over 200000 miles. Ride better, quieter, and handles better than any Ford F150 generation before it. A huge step up in handling and ride over the I-Beam design.

[@VolvoGonzo]

I bought my 98 F150 in 2004 with 100,000 miles on it. At 300,000 miles I replaced the head gasket and she is still going strong. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat

[@mavrickmiller2755]

The truck that led Ford into the new millennium, and the modern era. In my opinion, one of the most important generations of any vehicle.

[@ZenEndurance]

I had a black XLT extended cab with 3rd door, V6 stick shift and it was AWESOME. Thanks for posting this again!

[@CJColvin]

My dad had a 1998 Ford F150 with a 4.6L SOHC 2V Triton V8 in it and man it was a beast.

[@christopherganster374]

My dad had to quit driving due to bad vision in 2015, gave me his 98 pacific green f-150 with the 4.6 2v engine. Still has the original chrome wheels and runs great. Not fast or fuel efficient but this has to be one of Fords most reliable engines ever made. 180k and never worked on motor

[@motormouth2472]

These trucks are actually relatively fuel efficient compared to other half ton trucks from a similar time period, even the ones with the V8's. At least, that's what I've heard

[@IrishWannabe]

One of my favourite F-series generations. When i get enough money i would like to import one here

[@The101Point1]

I used to have one of these 4x4 4.6 5spd supercab and I really liked the side exhaust

[@jasonschneider3715]

I’ve still got a 98 regular cab short bed with the V6. Runs great and it doesn’t have the rust out over the rear wheels most have.

[@bldontmatter5319]

Ok, grease it up. Just make sure you have the revised head gaskets because the 4.2 had awful ones pre 98 and mid 98

[@E_tiBEAMERBOY]

Grandpa out here in Mexico has a 97 5.4 he's had it for like 8 or 9 years got it off one of my Dads childhood friends. The truck had an engine replacement maybe around 200k cause the whole engine shit itself starved of oil new engine does not make a single sound or vibration when the truck is on! Overall I like the truck a lot he uses it for construction work so it's a little beat up but I still think the design is timeless

[@doug6191]

4:19 - Rollover protection? ✅️ Front collision protection? ❌️

[@AsteroidsDeluxe]

I saw that crash test on KZbin. 😳

[@bldontmatter5319]

@@AsteroidsDeluxe it's the one with suicide doors. Don't get one with the suicide doors and you'll be fine. Sturdy trucks, but no B pillar will kill any car

[@siftysticks6850]

I'm glad I own this truck. Sadly my transmission went out in it but I should have it back here in a couple days. Never drove a truck this smooth in my life

[@darnellrobeson4761]

These trucks are still all over the road in my city. It's crazy I was in 3rd grade when this truck came out and I actually remember being amazed by it lol.

[@mikecarmean1676]

I remember being 10 years old and my dad pulled up with a 97 dark green/brown F250 LD he had just bought. As a kid that truck just blew me away with how beautiful it was and different than anything else on the road! It was supposed to be my first vehicle when I turned 16 but life happens he sold it after several years and it was just Rock solid reliable. More than the truck the memories in that thing and the certain smells will never leave my mind.

[@motormouth2472]

I was six when my dad got his 2012 F150. It was red, and had the 5.0 Coyote. Lots of fun times in the truck. It too was supposed to belong to me, but it started to rust and lose parts and my dad had to trade it in for a new one. The 12th gens remind me a lot of the 10th gens seen in this video, because they look like a modernized version of it. Same shape and everything. I want both trucks someday

[@chumbawaumbacumpa]

That brown interior was pretty rare, most trucks were optioned with either gray or tan interiors. The rarest interior color for pickups and first year Expeditions was green.

[@luisinhoens90]

I've seen the green interior but never the brown one, I thought that was a pre-production interior color that never made it to retail. Were there also blue interiors like on the 8th gens? I believe I've also seen those. On a separate topic I had an 08 Escape with a rare color interior: it was 2 tone charcoal with brown in the middle. The dash also had brown on top of the passenger side airbag cover. I thought it was a re-upholstered vehicle until I saw a brochure listing it. Only available in 08 & 09

[@chumbawaumbacumpa]

@@luisinhoens90 Part of me wants to say there were blue interiors on that body style, I could swear I’ve seen a few before, but I’m not certain so I left that out of my original comment. As for the interior on the Escape you had, that makes me think of the Eddie Bauer and King Ranch trims, but neither were available on the Escape. What trim level was it if you don’t mind my asking.

[@luisinhoens90]

@@chumbawaumbacumpa it was a 2WD XLT with the V6 and cloth interior. That color combo was also available on leather equipped XLTs although I've never seen one of those. According to the brochure it's Charcoal Black with Dark Rust Inserts. UPDATE: I found the 09 brochure and that color was gone so it was available in 08 only. Guess I was lucky

[@rookietoprobuildz]

I still come across clean examples of the 97' F-150 in the year of 2022 🔥

[@northrider8628]

Wife and I bought a 1997 short box regular cab off road pkg new in 97 and she drove it to work this morning 😎 LOVE MY FORD TRUCK

[@stephenblackburn1387]

We got a 98 in 97. That truck was pretty sky blue. Great power I really miss those prices. I have a 21 xlt and it was 3x as much as they were back then.

[@MasterlazorX]

1:37 "Lower the hoodline for better visibility" I like how trucks now are doing the complete opposite of this, reducing visibility mostly for looks, no function.

[@bldontmatter5319]

Yep. I valet and most modern trucks have hood heights up to my neck. I am 6 foot. Laughably, they also have super low scoops at the bottom end of the bumper that give 2-3 inches of ground clearance at best

[@motormouth2472]

They also go off about "ohhh better fuel economy" but the size of vehicles has DRASTICALLY increased year after year, and the wheels too

[@JDMsubaruGuy]

I loved these "Jellybean" F-150's! I had a 2001 F-150 super crew lariat with the black and silver lower trim with the 5.4, leather seats and both front and rear benches it was a fantastic truck!

[@marksman4004]

Damn I wish trucks still cost these prices today.

[@danmccarthy4700]

Do they even make trucks for work anymore? It seems they're all equipped like luxury cars.

[@marksman4004]

@@danmccarthy4700 seems like they're all limousines with truck beds.

[@CJColvin]

Same here brother

[@jmin8400]

@@marksman4004 New segments, simple as that. Today's XLT and base Lariats, would meet your requirements. If not, get a loaded up XL. If people weren't asking and signing, we wouldn't be making them.

[@jmin8400]

@@danmccarthy4700 There's always an F-150 XL 4x4 or an XLT 4x4 if you wanna be fancier than base. You don't need a Lariat or a Limited, let alone a Raptor.

[@brandoncazares8452]

My grandpa has a 2002. He’s lucky to never have an issue with yet, it still runs great even though, he’s had it since 2004.

[@gilldaking]

love my 97 flareside 4X4 5speed with the 4.6L V8 still going strong

[@adamm2837]

I never had this generation F-150, but I knew several people who have had them and they had nothing but good to say about these trucks overall. I currently drive a 2010 F150 and you can definitely see the roots of its interior design this 97. Before the 2010, I had a 93 F150 - which I thought the interior was pretty modern for its time but the 10th generation definitely pushed truck interior design to the next level and closer to what we have today.

[@gballa2730]

Wish I still had my 99 4.6... Best truck I've ever owned.. Still hate that I sold it..

[@houseofno]

For the 1996 model year, Ford actually sold this truck alongside the old 1980-1996 truck alongside the new '97 model, virtually unheard of at the time. Auto manufacturers typically shut down production of the old model to retool for the new model. The older model continued to be sold through the '98 model year for the F250 and F350, as well as for the chassis cab models. The Super Duty trucks would then be split off from the F-150 with a completely separate model for heavy duty buyers.

[@chargermaster586]

Ford Like GM Had Trouble letting go of the Old Style I Dont Blame em.

[@donaldwilson2620]

Chrysler also does that as well. The current Ram 1500 has been around since 2019 yet they still sell the previous generation model along side of it which is called the Ram 1500 Classic.

[@subeyguy66]

In 2004 they also sold this body style alongside the new one. They decaled it "heritage."

[@nathanlopez5667]

I believe Chevrolet did the same thing back in 1988 when their new pickup came out they still had the old body style butt in K5 Blazer and Suburban not sure about the dually

[@jmin8400]

@@subeyguy66 Not exactly. Heritage edition was introduced in parallel to the redesigned model in 2003 and discontinued production early in 2004, before other 2004 MY trucks. Most were built in 2003 and overstock sold into 2004, called '04s making it easier to offload that overstock.

[@chaseman94]

I drove my younger brother's 03 Lariat Super crew for 2 years after I've had just about enough of the POS money pit car I was driving at the time in 2018. He loaned it to me to get by until I saved up enough to get my own truck which was a 2003 GMC Sierra but I loved that F-150 during the time I had it.

[@Jacob1986]

I still see these. They are really cool looking

[@Seba-lk4hp]

My boy had one of these in high school. The truck doesn't die, they just get new owners and new lives.

[@relaxmenow4]

just bought one of these. absolutely love it

[@lilcs3011]

Back when you could still get a regular truck.

[@CJColvin]

This is when trucks we're reasonably priced and not extremely overpriced like modern trucks are.

[@dewarkhodern9990]

The V8 4.6 is equivalent to the Ford 300 Inline 6 in V8 form. Reliable. Along with being fuel efficient (if you don't hammer down on the throttle of course).

[@P71ScrewHead]

Crazy that the v8 (281ci) was smaller than the 300i inline 6..lol

[@dewarkhodern9990]

@@P71ScrewHead Like i said, "equivalent".

[@P71ScrewHead]

@@dewarkhodern9990 yep..

[@thatoneguy985]

I have a 2001 5.4 and I love that truck.

[@fernandochaves9665]

One of the most severe cases of underrated design ever! Look the black one, or the red one, even the base at 5:00 looks damn great. And how can anybody say this design is soft or female-like? Just look that thing coming at 5:30, that's presence and toughness. And besides everybody talks about how durable and reliable is, you can't ask for more in a truck.

[@timgiles9413]

My 98 4.6 is still going strong with 170,000 miles. I'll keep it as long as I can. It's been a good truck. Who can afford a new one,? Not me.

[@BigWheel.]

It's been so long since I've seen one without copious amounts of rust.

[@316Autos]

Come to Texas, there's thousands of them.

[@trainglen22]

I truly like this truck. Looks so much better looking than the current model.

[@caryhuffii7224]

That brown interior looks nice I've never seen it before

[@millerkiller6496]

Those trucks have such amazing carpet. Very thick and plush. It’s just like the carpet I have in my Grand Marquis. I do like the car like look. It doesn’t look so big and intimidating.

[@flurpoid]

Great trucks when powered by the 4.6l modular V8. The appearance has definitely grown on me, compared to newer trucks this looks less like it's trying to appear opulent. Also the simple interior space without too many technological gimmicks really helps these hold up.

[@buschfan0818]

My dad has a 2002 f150 supercab flare side with the 4.6L v8 and 4 speed auto. Very resilient truck, weve owned it since 2016.

[@fernandorocha8459]

I love this Ford F150 1997. Beautifull truck

[@GeeEm1313]

I remember when these came out and I was excited to see the Crew Cabs.

[@towelies4884]

Wish truck prices didn’t quadruple for the top of the line trucks

[@tedschmitt178]

Everyone thinks they need a top of the line model which is a BIG reason why prices are so high.

[@jmin8400]

@@tedschmitt178 I don't know why folks are complaining, when these top level trucks of today are a line of products never offered in the past. Compare Lariat to Lariat and XLT to XLT, then maybe they have room to complain, when they factor in *INFLATION* . Otherwise they need to shut up.

[@jmin8400]

Towelie S4, why are you whining about the effects of *INFLATION* and then bringing models not even offered in 1996 into the equation? Let me know about the MSRP of the 1997 Raptor or Limited 4x4 pickups, to see where prices quadrupled. Last time I checked, the only present day offering from that era is a Lariat Supercab 4x4 with Coyote 5.0 V8 and nothing else above that has any relevance to your comment. The most expensive Lariat Scab today at over $60k, almost matches its Jan 1996 equivalent mentioned in this video, which was $32k loaded.

[@dannylay7965]

That 4.6 v8 will go on and on and on.

[@alanmoncus2331]

Still got my 99 4.6 2wd, and wouldn't trade it for nothing :)

[@Tool0GT92]

You wouldn't trade it for a brand new F150 straight up?

[@caryhuffii7224]

@@Tool0GT92 it'd be a hard decision for me. Those trucks were pretty good.

[@rdallas81]

I have one. 4.2. 250,000 miles and still going strong.

[@alanmoncus2331]

@@rdallas81 I test drove em king cab 6 5sp man when the were new, and liked em, but later I pretty much inherited my dad's 4.6 wit Flowmasters, and it actually gets just as good MPG as my little 350z, bought an 03 prerunner, pretty much parked it and still driving my ford :)

[@alanmoncus2331]

Mines a red lariat stepside, always wanted to make a ext cab clone that they never made, but keep my 4.6, I don't dog on it (I have a little Z car for that lol) so it's still plenty enough "punchy" for me :)

[@jeffb.6642]

ahh the good old days, when a halfton pickup started at a little over $15K. Nowadays you can barely buy a subcompact car for that money.

[@scottdunn4506]

This is my favorite body style of the f150 no matter what anyone says

[@lazenblaze9896]

Funny trivia... listen up folk's. Butch, my old shop manager, sent me to the tire shop in his new 1996 Ford F150 4x4. Yes of course I had to see what it could do on the straight roads. It was fun until the last time I floored it on Fruitvale Blvd heh heh. That NEW dingdangdarn truck's gas peddle sucked down to the floor board and would not let up! yeehaw we goin' for a hella ride now! Wide open in traffic 4 lanes [luckily], a brand NEW 1996 4x4 F150 no stopping it until I got it in nuetral somehow. [no the pedal wasn't caught on the carpet either] That Pedal had a mind of its own, yes sir, that pedal sucked itself right to the floor, sucked it down so fast it pulled from my foot. Weird AF I must say. I will never for get that 1 FORD, lol.

[@squangan]

I bought one of these, can’t believe it’s been 26 years ago already. I then moved on to an ‘09 Supercrew which I still have as I finally came to the realization that I didn’t need to keep replacing perfectly good trucks just because they were a few years old.

[@EyeonthePrize247]

My brother had a ‘99 which is pretty similar. What a classic.

[@mitch9521]

These are phenomenal trucks, they just go and go

[@themf05]

I absolutely love mine! same year/generation with the 4.6 2v, extended cab 4x4, amazing truck! It's still one of the best purchases I've ever made. Mines pushing 200k but still drives very smooth and solid, some may disagree and thats fine but it genuinely looks better than most trucks today.

[@ddellwo]

Now, over twenty years removed from their introduction, the look of these trucks still hasn’t grown on me! The only configuration that looks “right” to me are the short box-regular cab models, which are actually quite sporty in appearance. All the other configurations remind me of a thirteen year old going through their “awkward stage” and still trying to grow into themselves…….😂

[@houseofno]

For the 2004 and later models, Ford went back to a standard shape cab.

[@johndriscoll213]

I think the GMT400 and first gen RAM trucks both look much better.

[@BigWheel.]

@@johndriscoll213 even the NBS chevys look better imo. But the 3rd gen dodges are a toss up, early models look ok, later models look fugly.

[@shanet7511]

This gen of f150 was always ugly, it was the awkward attempt to modernize the F150 into the 2000s getting away from the square bodies and before the good looking 2004+. It literally is the awkward teenage bodied truck.

[@aarondraper4445]

The worst looking f150

[@jpro2222]

"The improved steering will make women more open to purchasing it so they don't fear the girth" LOL

[@bill4632]

If only we could go back to pre-2000's prices on vehicles of today. What a difference.

[@anthonyhales4192]

people can say what they want this was the truck to have. i see dozens of these still on the road today and even own one for work.

[@nickjaynes]

My '98 XLT SuperCab 4x4 with 5.4-liter Triton V8 and manual gearbox was my first pickup. Lived out of the back of it for 6 months while I traveled around the U.S. I regret selling it to this day.

[@RohanSanjith]

Why did you sell it?

[@bldontmatter5319]

Pretty sure they didn't make a 5 4 with the manual unless you're talking the lightning 5.4 super'd

[@nickjaynes]

@@bldontmatter5319 Huh. Go figure. It had a 5.4 Triton badge on the side. But when I decoded the VIN just now, it's listed as a 4.6L ... go figure!

[@78FullSizeBronco]

People trash on this truck all the time but they are tough SOB's! I had an 01 4x4 and absolutely beat the crap out of it, never let me down once. Until a texting teenager ran a stop light and totalled it out for me.

[@jpmonin7429]

My 1999 f150 4.2l standard Trans has 360672.8 miles, currently, amazes me every time i crank it

[@mr.c493]

I love this F150 look. It’s still a good looking truck!!

[@jeffreyrigged]

i actually really didnt like them when they came out. thought they where ugly. alot of people felt like that i remember at the time. now i like them.

[@mr.c493]

I remember when this gen and the Expedition came out. Everyone wanted the Expedition.

[@jeffreyrigged]

@@mr.c493 thats because it had the 3rd row in it and the tahoe didnt back then.

[@RohanSanjith]

@@jeffreyrigged that's because it looks more like a car than a truck!!

[@jeffreyrigged]

@@RohanSanjith thats true too id imagine.

[@davidaubin3902]

No question it was worth the wait, John

[@FBOF]

This is the one I've been waiting for

[@reidsgarage1100]

I have been waiting for this day!

[@Crazysonicccc]

Still better than any new truck today

[@flashuser777]

My uncle has one that he uses to visit all the time, bought new in '01. V6, single cab. Love the swirly design wheels.

[@goyslop4289]

Still rocking my 4.6 supercab my dad bought new in 98, now with long travel!😁

[@redrobin41]

I currently have a 2000 and my dad had an '03. Never a peep out of any in the reliability and durability department. In my neck of the woods these things are still absolutely everywhere. Way more common than the equivalent Chevrolet or Dodge of the time period. These were and still are good trucks. "Car like handling" is a little more than a stretch, though. My 4x4 7700 package truck feels like what I would imagine an ocean liner to feel like.

[@gabe1465]

To be fair, the 7700s had much stiffer shocks and a different trans than the standard F150s

[@bldontmatter5319]

The 7700 is night and day difference.

[@ramoncarter6585]

Remember when these came out in '96 was in elementary school 2nd grade had few as hot wheels trucks ... boy do I miss those hot wheels. I used to love these trucks still see some around that are in mint condition. My grandfather has a 99-01 F150 Lariat Extended Cab in black its not running well at this moment not sure if it's the transmission or what. It seems these trucks were more reliable than the newer generations this was the best generation a nice truck later on the F250 came out with styling of F150 until 2007.

[@TransportSimulatorNationTSN]

I still see these trucks on the road today

[@jeffc7486]

My dad bought one back in 97'. All tan, beautiful truck at the time. 2 years down the road he traded for a 99' 7.3 f250 zf6. That what drew me into ford. So now I own a 2000 7.3 with a zf6 swapped. Truck is a beast.

[@sageslightbulbs7508]

I have a 1997 f150 4x4 with the limited slip that I use to hual firewood. I bought it souly because it was the cheapest truck on the internet at the time, thus being subjected to untold molestation and abuse prior to my ownership. At 287,000 we are still going strong, it hauls 7/8ths of a cord of green firewood several times a week, and is completely ungodly in the snow. I once drove up a mountain on primitive dirt trails in a blizzard. I made an error and drove into like a two-foot-deep ditch, and the truck REVERSED OUT, up hill. I was just completely dumbfounded. My only complaint is that the factory rear springs were just a complete joke, and I suspect that this was done to improve the ride.

[@Blue_Flame_Raptor]

These trucks get a lot of hate and I don't think they deserve it. They were actually really good trucks, they just had the disadvantage of coming after the incredibly well loved obs trucks. There are almost no clean 10th gen f150s left outside of lightnings, they were all workhorses and heavily beat. I'm sure one day these will have a cult following