Throughout its production, variants of the Ford F-Series has been produced to attract buyers. While these variants primarily consist of trim packages, others are high-performance versions while other variants were designed with various means of improving functionality.
Unibody F-Series (1961–1962) For 1961 into part of the 1963 model year, the Ford F-Series was offered with a third body configuration, integrating the Styleside bed with the cab. With the pickup bed stampings welded directly to the cab before both assemblies were mounted to the frame, the design simplified the assembly and paint process (the configuration was similar to that of the
Ford Ranchero). Following a poor market reception, the unibody pickup bed design was withdrawn during the 1963 model year.
Specials (1962–1979) From 1961 to 1979, Ford offered several
Special option packages for the F-Series, typically designed for owners with specific uses for their vehicles. For 1961, the
Camper Special option package was introduced; designed for owners of
slide-in truck campers, the option package featured prewiring for the camper, heavy-duty transmission and engine cooling, and a larger
alternator. For 1968, Ford introduced the ''Contractor's Special
, and Farm and Ranch Special
, which featured toolboxes and heavier-duty suspension. The Explorer Special
was introduced as a lower-priced variant of the Ranger trim. The Trailer Special'' was offered with trailer brake controller, heavy-duty radiator, transmission cooler, and tow hitch. In 1980, the Special option packages were withdrawn as part of the F-Series redesign, while a number of features continued as stand-alone options; the Explorer continued as a variant of the Ranger trim through the 1986 model year.
F-150 Nite (1991–1992) Sold from 1991 to 1992 on the Ford F-150 XLT Lariat, the Nite special edition was a monochromatic option package, featuring black paint and trim with a multicolor accent stripe. For 1991, it was exclusive to the regular-cab F-150; for 1992, it was available on all body styles of the F-150 and introduced on the Ford Bronco. The Nite edition was available with two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with either the 5.0L or 5.8L V8; it also included a sport suspension and alloy wheels on 235/75R15 white-letter tires.
Eddie Bauer (1994–1996) For 1994, Ford introduced the Eddie Bauer trim level for the F-150. In a fashion similar to the same trim packages on the Aerostar, Bronco, and Explorer/Bronco II, it consisted of outdoors-themed interior trim with two-tone exterior paint.
SVT Lightning 1993–1995 Introduced as a 1993 model, the Ford Lightning is a
high-performance version of the F-150 that was produced by the Ford Special Vehicle Team (
SVT). Intended as a competitor for the
Chevrolet 454SS, the Lightning was derived from the F-150; to improve its handling, extensive modifications were made to the front and rear suspension and frame. Powered by a 240 hp version of the 5.8L V8, the Lightning used a heavy-duty 4-speed automatic transmission from the F-350 (normally paired with the 7.5L V8 or 7.3L diesel V8). While slower in acceleration than the
GMC Syclone, the Lightning retained nearly all of the towing and payload capacity of a standard Ford F-150. Produced from 1993 to 1995, the first-generation Lightning was withdrawn as Ford readied the 1997 Ford F-150 for sale.
1999–2004 After a three-year hiatus, Ford released a second generation of the SVT Lightning for the 1999 model year. In line with its 1993–1995 predecessor, the second-generation Lightning was based on the F-150 with a number of suspension modifications; in a design change, all examples were produced with a Flareside bed. In place of a model-specific engine, the second-generation was powered by a supercharged version of the 5.4L V8 from the F-150, producing 360 hp (increased to 380 hp in 2001). As before, the higher-output engine was paired with a heavier-duty transmission from the F-350 pickup. For the 2004 redesign of the Ford F-150, the SVT Lightning was not included, leaving 2004 as the final year for the model line. While of an entirely different design focus from the SVT Lightning, the SVT/Ford Raptor is the succeeding generation of high-performance Ford F-Series pickup trucks.
Harley-Davidson Edition (2000–2012) From 2000 to 2012, the
Harley-Davidson Edition was an option package available on the F-150. Primarily an appearance package featuring monochromatic black trim, the edition included a slightly detuned version of the supercharged 5.4L V8 engine from the SVT Lightning from 2002 to 2003, and a naturally-aspirated 5.4L from 2004 to 2010. For the 2011 model year, the 5.4L engine was replaced with a naturally-aspirated 6.2L V8. In 2003, a 100th Anniversary Edition was produced for F-150 SuperCrew trucks. For 2004, the Harley-Davidson option package became available for F-250/F-350 Super Duty trucks. After 2008, the option package adopted many of the options featured from the Platinum trim level, featuring leather seating produced from materials reserved for Harley-Davidson biker jackets. For 2013, the Harley-Davidson Edition was replaced by the Limited trim level, retaining a monochromatic exterior appearance (shifting past motorcycle-themed trim).
SVT Raptor (2010–2014); Raptor (2017–present) For 2010, the
SVT Raptor was introduced as the second F-Series truck upgraded by
Ford SVT. In contrast to the enhanced on-road performance of the SVT Lightning, the Raptor features upgraded off-road capability in line with a
Baja 1000 desert racing truck (though preserving its status as a road-legal vehicle). Sharing only its cab with the F-150, the Raptor is fitted with a long-travel suspension, larger tires, and a model-exclusive front fascia. For the first time on a Ford vehicle since 1983, the Ford Blue Oval emblem was replaced by FORD lettering. For the 2015 redesign of the F-Series, the model was placed on a two-year hiatus, with a second-generation Raptor (dropping the SVT prefix) released for 2017 production. Now derived from the
thirteenth-generation F-Series, the Raptor adopted an aluminum-intensive body (reducing its weight by over 500 pounds). In another change, the V8 engine of the previous generation was replaced by a twin-turbocharged V6 unit. The third-generation Raptor was released for 2021 (coinciding with the release of the
fourteenth-generation F-Series). The rear suspension switched to coil springs (dropping the previous leaf springs), larger tires added, and the SuperCrew becoming the sole cab configuration. For 2023, a V8 engine returned to the Raptor as an option.
F-150 King Ranch (2001–present) In 2001, Ford's marketing department leveraged a partnership with the 825,000-acre
King Ranch in south Texas, which is the largest ranch in both Texas and the United States and which operates a large fleet of Ford trucks. The truck was emblazoned with the King Ranch's "Running W" brand and upholstered in saddle leather. It was the industry's first full-size lightweight pickup truck with a full rear passenger compartment and four full-size doors, becoming the SuperCrew cab. Along with the Limited and Platinum, the King Ranch continues to comprise the luxury end of the F-150 spectrum. 40% of King Ranch F-150 sales are in Texas, Ford's largest pickup truck market.
F-150 Platinum (2009–present) Introduced for 2009, the Platinum is a luxury-oriented trim of the Ford F-150. Effectively replacing the
Lincoln Mark LT in the United States and Canada (though its production continued through 2014 in Mexico), the Platinum adopted many of the luxury features and content from the Mark LT with more subdued exterior styling (the Platinum was fitted with an egg-crate grille similar to early models of the Ford Expedition). In 2013, Ford began use of the Platinum trim for Super Duty trucks, from the F-250 to the F-450 pickup trucks. Until 2016, the Platinum trim was an add-on package to a Super Duty that was ordered as a Lariat. 2017 saw the Platinum become a separate trim level.
F-150 Tremor (2014, 2021–present) For the 2014 model year, Ford introduced the Tremor model of the F-150. The Tremor was released as a high-performance sport truck for street truck enthusiasts. The regular-cab Tremor is based on the style of the FX Appearance Package with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine and a 4.10:1 rear axle ratio. The interior uses a console-mounted shifter, custom bucket seats, and a flow-through center console not found in any other F-150. The Tremor is available in both 4×2 and 4×4. Both options feature an electronic-locking rear differential and customized suspension. There were 2,230 Tremors built. Ford reintroduced the Tremor with the 14th generation F-150 in 2021 as a standalone model, slotted between the FX4 and Raptor, with an updated 3.5L EcoBoost, producing 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Tremor is available only as a SuperCrew model with a 5 1/2-foot bed with three specific trim levels (Base, Mid, and High) that offer updated luxury and convenience items. The updated Tremor features a revised shock and suspension system, unique external styling kit, custom seats, vented hood, powder-coated running boards, and various skid and bash plates. For the 2023 model year, Ford also offered the Tremor with the 5.0L Coyote engine, producing 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with Ford's 10-speed automatic transmission. The trim levels were reduced to Standard and High.
Ford F-150 Lightning At the 2019
Detroit Auto Show in January 2019, Ford announced the intention to produce a
fully-electric light truck. Prototype test mules on an existing F-150 chassis were tested during 2019, including a record-setting demonstration test tow of on rails. Ford unveiled the truck, called the
F-150 Lightning, on May 19, 2021. It intends to begin production in the spring of 2022. Ford received 44,500 orders in the first two days after the announcement, and a further 25,000 in the next two days after that. The low-end configuration has , range, and its smaller battery allows a payload. The high-end configuration has , 300+ mile capacity, times in the mid-four-second range, and towing capacity of . Both models have of torque, full-time four-wheel-drive, independent rear suspension, and currently come in a crew-cab configuration only, with 5.5' bed. The active suspension provides real-time load weighing function. Like
Tesla, the Ford F-150 Lightning has over-the-air software updates, and a significant software driving aids which allow limited hands-off highway driving, but fall short of full
self-driving. As of May 27, 2021, Ford has begun discussing the other vehicles beyond the F-Series, such as the
Expedition and
Navigator, which will be underpinned by their full-size EV truck chassis, as well as the smaller chassis which will be used for the
Bronco,
Explorer, and
Aviator. == Variants ==