Ford Trucks

AmericanTrucks provides you with the best selection of high-quality aftermarket Ford truck parts on the Internet. Beyond that, we're also dedicated to providing you with the fundamental information about the history of the vehicles we sell parts for: Ford F-series Trucks across the three most recent generations: the 97-03, the 04-08 and the 09+.

The 1997-2003 Ford trucks were the tenth generation of these vehicles, and represented a huge deviation from previous truck models in both styling and what was under the hood. Starting with the 1997 Ford F-150, Ford gave them a full make-over with a less boxy and more aerodynamically-minded design. This new edition still managed to maintain the muscular style that is so prevalent in any make or model F-150. And there were big changes for the engine, as well, as this marked the debut of Ford's celebrated "Triton" V8 engine in the F-150, available in 4.6L and 5.4L versions. Add on a bevy of other updates and changes and it was more than enough for the 1997 F-150 to be named Motor Trend's "Truck of the Year". Subsequent models were all based on the 1997 tenth generation redesign and incorporated several other small to moderate modifications. The 1999 Ford trucks received an updated grille and modified chrome bumpers, in addition to a number of minor changes to the interior. The 2001 F-150 SuperCrew was the 1st crew cab offering of the truck and ushered in the SuperCrew version of the F-150, which featured four full-sized doors. And the 2002 F-150 offered a FX4 package that included skid plates, 17" aluminum wheels, and Rancho-style shock absorbers.

But soon, Ford decided to update again, with the award winning eleventh generation F-150, which started with the 2004 model year trucks. This revision centered on an entirely new truck body platform, the P2 for F-150s and the P3 for Super Duties. Another dynamic change for the 2004 Ford F-150 was the inclusion of "Daylight Doors" from Kenworth, which provided larger door windows to permit a more expansive field of vision for the driver and passengers. And amazingly, these trucks are able to pull up to 11,000 lbs. and had a maximum payload of between 1800 and 3050 lbs. Once again, Motor Trend awarded the updated F-150 with the prestigious "Truck of the Year" award. The F-150 went on to also win "North American Truck of the Year" and in 2005, there were 939,000 F-series trucks sold, the most ever of any kind of truck in a single year. And finally, the eleventh generation F-150 (2004-2008) with the 4.2L V6 engine was named by Consumer Reports as the single most reliable pickup truck ever produced. Not exactly faint praise, to say the least.

Once again, the decision has been made for change, and the twelfth generation, 2009 F-150 will feature some significant alterations from previous years, beginning with the obvious change to an attractive, retro-styled, three-bar front grille. What might not be so obvious is the super-light-weight and high-strength chassis that is designed to improve fuel economy like never before. Plus, a fully remodeled airbag system incorporating Ford's Safety Canopy System will be standard. This new version of the F-150 will come with three varieties of engines to choose from, all powerful V8s. This most recent generation of Ford F-150 will almost certainly have the same accolades heaped upon it as did its predecessors.