Classic Review: 1997 Ford F-150 | Motoring TV Classics

[@dragon81heart]

This was a huge departure from the previous 1980-1996 (OBS) versions of the F-Series at the time, and while some didn’t care for the more organic “car like” styling I was and still am a fan of these trucks. And these are far faaaar better looking inside and out than it’s 2004-2008 replacement.

[@nastysoda9212]

I'm still driving this truck around with our dirtbikes in the back flying down desert trails in 2024. Same color too, love this truck so much

[@84imreplica]

I bought a 1997 F150 super cab 4x4 new in the November1996. I owned the truck for 3 years and then sold it to my brother-in-law because my wife wouldn't drive it (too big). I replaced it with a Ford Ranger, which my wife didn't mind driving, and kept it for 14 years. My brother-in-law kept the truck for a decade and then sold it to his daughter, who in 2016 gave it back to me, with 245,000 km on the odo. The truck was still in great shape, with the original running gear, and the body had the usual frame rail surface rust, but zero body rust. Last year I ended up selling it and buying a new Ford Maverick pickup truck. I hope the maverick will be as reliable as my F150 and Ranger have been. I have my doubts, but close would be nice.

[@kzilla3]

god that 4.6L motor is so good

[@elishamorgan]

I grew up on Ford (Dad still has his manual 96 F250 and his contracting business exclusively uses F350 diesel), so I just bought a 1997 ford f150 4x4 lariat model, and came here to check out more. The one I bought is in immaculate condition, and I'm excited to see how well it serves me. It's good to see the comments about it!

[@northrider8628]

Bought a new 1997 xl off road with trailer tow pkg. short box regular cab 5spd. Black with gray cloth interior. I was working as a salesman at the Ford dealership at the time and had it ordered. Still have it and still love it. ❤️ my f150's

[@bpace2509]

2000 F150 XLT ORP 5.4, supercab with 8' bed. Bought it new and it currently has about ~250k mi on it. It brought home all three of my kids from the hospital, and they all learned how to drive in it. It's currently down because the AC compressor locked up and won't allow the belt to spin. I should have it back up and running soon.

[@bikes7777]

Still a modern looking truck.

[@fordmuscleluis9710]

Thanks for the video of the Ford F150 1997 model year with a Flareside bed awesome red color

[@PoolBoy1960]

Mine is black which is good but red would be nice

[@julietakanashi]

As an impressionable teenager, these were the F-150s that made me fall in love with trucks. I wish I had one.

[@WitchyWhale]

I know that people hate this gen of F150 but I have so much nostalgia for this F150.

[@gsxellence]

Why, it's that most reliable generation

[@user-ok5xp9bf8d]

Back in early 2000..

[@martinleavitt6094]

Hate??...best designed (clean,rugged,dependable,appealin)..F-150 Ford put out in decades...whats not to like??

[@JamesK7911]

@@martinleavitt6094 Many people at the time were either unsure or not really crazy on how round it was compared to all the ones before (think about what happened to the Taurus when they went to a round body for 1996). However the design grew on everyone as time went on and has aged extremely well.

[@GregScavezze]

@@gsxellence I bought this exact truck in maroon brand new in '97. Mine was the 5 speed manual. Liked the truck but a very short blast through a washed out road (a few inches of water and mud for about 100 ft) shot mud directly into the alternator and I broke down about 100 miles from home. Had to be towed to the dealer and they didn't want to fix it. I pointed out that there was no wheel well liner and I could point directly at the alternator from the side of the truck. They shut up and replaced the alternator. I ended up trading it a couple of years later for an SUV when I got married

[@JasPlun]

These are my 2nd favorite Fords and last of the trucks they have built I like. I am a fan of the OBS and these trucks. Everything after I have not liked at all and sent me over to Toyota now. I am not a brand loyalist I buy what I like and I have had GM, and Dodge trucks I liked. These F-150 trucks were a pleasure to drive and were reliable. Then came 2004 and the Junk Triton 5.4l 3 valve.......

[@MrKnoxguy101]

I remember when these were brand new. It reminded me of an egg because of the rounded body lines. Up until this body style first debuted, trucks had always had more of a squared-off, boxy look.

[@pl5624]

My 97 f150 2wd has 257k miles on it's 4.2 v6.great handler.

[@pl5624]

274k now and going strong

[@BrownBomber92181]

I absolutely love the 10th gen F-150's. They were still affordable, and were very tough and rugged despite the softer exterior styling.

[@broeheemed32]

This is - to me - by far the pinnacle of F-150s..... before the curse of the 3-valve, and the subsequent hyper-overengineered $100,000 rolling luxury computers they've become. I have the 5.4 2-valve with 4.10:1 gears and it accelerates better than you might think. Easy to work on, unlimited parts available, and the motor will last and last and last.

[@peterjamieson2441]

Timeless design

[@commandertopgun]

GREAT REVIEW - YOU DO HAVE A WONDERFUL AUTOMOTIVE LIBRARYY EVER Motoring TV

[@georgeparcels9471]

Had a 98 Lariat with the 5.4 wish I never sold it, was a great truck.

[@Moonless6491]

I wish they still made trucks like these. I have two and I love them, but the are so old now. One has 364k miles. It's a great truck with enough comfort to feel a bit like a car, but with the majority of that old truck utility and practicality.

[@pabicr]

La Suspensión cuantas pulgadas de fábrica viene esta camioneta? Hace unos meses Le he comprado a mi abuelo una igual, la suya con tan solo 70 mil km, es una belleza

[@cheldosarmiento2733]

Beautiful truck

[@2H2521]

Some of the best trucks Ford ever built, the generation after this was such a pathetic downgrade.

[@user-cj4sm8hv9y]

Dodge Dakota

[@eatassdrivefast]

Where is it a big truck

[@MrAndreCoutinho]

At the time it was, today it’s like driving a landyacht.