Ford F-Series (sixth generation)

This generation was launched in December 1972 for the 1973 model year. While retaining the same chassis of the previous generation, several revisions were made. To fight corrosion, Ford increased its use of galvanized sheet metal, zinc coated steel, and zinc-rich primer. To increase safety, the fuel tank was moved out of the cab (to below the pickup bed 1977 models received a redesign of exterior trim, with the cowl insignias made smaller and moved near the windshield. The bed received a rectangular fuel door to conceal the gas cap. The fuel tank located behind the seat was discontinued due to safety concerns. It also would be the last year of the medium-duty F-500. Starting in the 1977 model year Ford dropped the "Super" from "Super Camper Special" in favor of calling the F-350 models with camper packages "Camper Special", a name that was previously only assigned to F-250's with camper packages. 1978–1979 -market version with right-hand drive For 1978, the split grille gave way to a larger single-piece item which no longer incorporated the headlamps, the turn signals, or the ' callout. The headlamps were located in housings outboard of the grille, with the turn signal lamps below them. A new chrome-plated ' callout was placed on the hood immediately above the grille. Round headlamps were used on the 1978 Custom trim level; the higher Ranger, Ranger XLT, and Ranger Lariat trim levels had new rectangular headlamps with optional chrome bezels and a chrome grille insert. Dual Fuel tanks in the bed became standard. New for 1978 was the option of part- or full-time four-wheel-drive on SuperCab models. Full-time four-wheel drive models had a chain-driven NP203 transfer case, while part-time four-wheel drive trucks were equipped with a gear-driven NP205. For 1979, all models used the rectangular headlamps, with bezels available in either black or chrome to match the aluminum grille frame. Models The GVWR ratings for these trucks was tied to a combination of wheel, spring, axle and brake combinations. The series code on the ID tag denotes which model and from that it can be determined what weight rating each vehicle has. 4x4 trucks can also be identified by the Vehicle Identification Number and on the ID plate as a serial number. For example, F10 is an F-100 2-wheel drive, but F11 is an F-100 4x4, and so on. Serial numbers beginning with an "X" are SuperCab models. Trim The sixth generation F-Series underwent a slight revision of its trim lines. The base and Sport Custom trims were dropped (with Custom becoming the standard trim). The Ranger and Ranger XLT returned, with the Ranger Lariat trim introduced in 1978 with cloth interior trim, specific two-tone body and tailgate trim. • Custom • Ranger • Ranger XLT • Ranger Lariat (1978–1979) The model line was offered with several appearance packages . For 1974, the Explorer package was offered on the F-100, F-250, and F-350 (and the Ranchero and Bronco), consisting of color-keyed exterior and interior trim, badging, and wheelcovers. The 1977-1979 "Free Wheeling" package (offered on the Custom and non-Lariat Rangers, along with the Bronco and Econoline), consisted of multi-colored tape stripes, silver or black interior, white-letter tires, and optional alloy wheels, bed-mounted roll bar, and bumper-mounted push bar. Powertrain == Production outside North America ==

Australia Ford Australia assembled right-hand drive sixth generation F-Series that were fitted with a lineup of locally sourced engines. The base trim level was called Custom, with a higher spec XLT level only available on the F-100. 1973–1975 Initially they were available with US sourced 240 and 300 CID Straight-6 engines. From August 1974 the 240 CID engine was replaced with locally sourced 250 CID Straight-6 and the 300 CID was replaced by the locally sourced 302 Cleveland V-8 engines. The 302 Cleveland was a destroked 351 Cleveland built using tooling exported to Australia after the closure of the Cleveland production line. The F-100 with a 302 Cleveland model was the first Australian Sixth Gen to receive an automatic transmission as an option, the six cylinder powered models and the larger F-250 and F-350 were limited to a four-speed manual. Powertrain details Argentina Ford Motor Argentina also produced the sixth-generation F-series, continuing production through 1982. The F-100 was offered as a pickup truck, with the F-350 chassis cab (the F-3500 was a diesel-engine version of the F-350) and the F-7000 (Perkins and Deutz 6-cylinder diesels) through 1983. Powertrain details The F-100 was available with three engine choices, the 221 CID "Econ" straight-six, the 292 CID Y-Block V8 and a 203 CID Perkins 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder diesel engines. The only transmission on offer was a 3-speed manual. == Variants ==

Ford Bronco (1978-1979) For 1978, after several years of delays, Ford released a second generation of the Ford Bronco. To compete directly against the Chevrolet K5 Blazer and the Dodge RamCharger, the Bronco grew in size, adopting a shortened F-100 4x4 chassis. While continuing the two-door wagon bodystyle of the previous generation (the most popular version), the 1978 Bronco adopted a half-cab/hardtop design (also used by the Blazer); the configuration was used through the 1996 model year. Along with greater sales potential (the first-generation Bronco competed nearly exclusively against the International Scout), the redesign of the Bronco allowed for product commonality with the Ford F-100 (and the F-150 that eventually replaced it); for the next two decades, the two model lines would share nearly all exterior body panels from the front doors forward, many interior and trim panels, and would also have powertrain commonality. The 1978-1979 Bronco was fitted exclusively with four-wheel drive; the 351M V8 was standard, with the 400 V8 offered as an option. Medium-duty F-Series Redesigned for the 1967 model year, Ford medium-duty trucks saw little change throughout the 1970s. For 1973, the cab was changed to the new bodystyle alongside the light-duty trucks, and the grille was revised slightly; along with changing two sets of slots in the grille to four, and the headlight surrounds were increased in size. After 1977, Ford ended production of the lowest-GVWR F-500 series. Produced without bodywork aft of the firewall, the Ford B-series was a cowled chassis designed to be mated with bus bodies (primarily school buses). The medium-duty F-series was offered with both gas and diesel engines. For 1977, the a 370 cubic-inch version of the 460 V8 replaced the previous FE-series gasoline V8 engines. Shared with the heavy-duty L-Series trucks, the Caterpillar 3208 V8 became an option in F700 and F800 models; diesel-powered trucks were distinguished by an extra "0" (i.e., F-7000/F-8000). F-250 Highboy (1973-1977) "Highboy" is an enthusiast nickname adopted by a version of the sixth-generation F-series, pertaining to 1967-1977 F-250 4x4s. The largest 4x4s sold by Ford (the F-350 was not offered as a 4x4 until 1979), these trucks used the narrower frame rail spacing of the F-350 and a divorced transfer case (Dana 24, NP205, or NP203; the latter offered full-time four-wheel drive). The model was not a distinct option, but the design configuration that Ford offered for its 4-wheel drive F-250s, deriving its name in reference to its higher ride height (nearly 3 inches taller than a F-100/F-150 4x4 and nearly 6 inches taller than a two-wheel drive F-250). While the highboy design was largely phased out of mass production vehicles by the mid-1970s (with Ford being the last manufacturer to do so), "Eluminator" is an allusion to the Ford 5.2L "Aluminator" Modular V8 engine. Ford contributed front and rear sub-frames, which were already fitted with electric traction motors, and a battery pack from the Mach-E production line. Roadster Shop built a custom ladder frame to support the vintage body, attach the subframes, and carry the battery underneath the cab and bed. McCue-Lane Electric Race Cars (MLe) handled final integration of the driveline components. Brand X Customs handled the restoration of the body, finishing it in Avalanche Gray with copper-colored trim. The wheels were built by Forgeline. The Eluminator crate motor has an output of and of torque, with a total weight of . At the time of release, Ford Performance announced they also were planning to develop battery systems, controllers, and traction inverters to make a complete drop-in EV drivetrain replacement available commercially for interested parties. The same 88 kW-hr battery from the Mach-E has a reduced estimated range of in the F-100 Eluminator, less than the Mach-E due in part to the increased aerodynamic drag of the F-100. Ford Performance engineer Brian Novak said that since the engineering drawings were finished, a second example could be built for "McLaren money, not Bugatti money", which Motor Trend estimated to be . == References ==