1997 Ford F150

Ford took the aero styling further for 1997 with a rounded nose on the new F-series. Since it was the F-150's first major redesign since 1980, the redesigned truck went on a nation-wide 87-stop tour to Ford plants and the external part suppliers in October, 1995 prior to its release. To build anticipation for the redesigned truck, the 1997 model was released in January 1996 with the first ad campaigns airing during Super Bowl XXX. Because of the radical styling, Ford predicted that traditional truck buyers wouldn't receive the radical and car-like 1997 too well, so it continued to produce and sell the previous 1996 model alongside the redesigned 1997 model for a few months.

The regular F-250 (light duty) was basically an F-150 with the same body panels but with heavy duty axles and suspension, along with 7 lug wheels. Additionally, the F-250 Light Duty also offered a load leveling rear suspension system. The F-250 HD (Heavy Duty) was in the same series as the F-350. With the arrival of the all new 1999 "Super Duty" series in early 1998, the standard F-250 ('light duty'), F-250HD (Heavy Duty), & F-350 line was totally dropped and the F-250 (light duty) was offered as the "7700" package for the F-150 (noted on the tailgate emblem).

Forget everything you know about the way pickups ride and drive when it comes to experiencing the F-150. Never has a full-size pickup been so refined. Ford has taken the truck out and given it a car-like feel in this respect, just as the designers did with the interior.

The ride is smooth and motion free. What happened to the constant state of bounce? Gone. In its place, a compliant ride that soaks up road irregularities. For anyone with a lot of truck time, it's almost spooky the way it goes down the road. It's also quiet in there. The new rounded shape did its job in that department-no wind noise.

Typically, a pickup's box and frame are designed separately, then bolted together. This time around, the two systems were designed to work together. The result is an absence of squeaks and rattles, even on rough terrain. The truck has a solid feel that has nothing to do with ruggedness. This one is built to endure.

Both engines are strong, with the increased torque of the V8 obvious in a back-to-back comparison. But without that comparison, no one would likely sell the V6 short. Both are smooth, with the V8 a bit quieter.