Ford F-Series (sixth generation)

1973–1975 Ford F-100 XLT

For 1973, a new model was offered: The heavy duty F-350 V8. This was a new heavy-duty pickup made with contractors and camping enthusiasts in mind. It rode on a longer wheelbase than an F-100 or F-250 (140 in (3,556 mm) vs. 133 in (3,378 mm)) but had the same overall length. Ordering the Camper Special package for the F-350 SRW made it a "Super Camper Special", which was designed for the much heavier slide-in campers coming on the market at that time.

For 1974 (introduced September 21, 1973), the F-Series became available in an extended cab for the first time. Dubbed the "SuperCab", it offered the six-passenger seating of the crew cab in a shorter length, and competed with Dodge's Club Cab.

For 1975, the F-150 was introduced; this truck was designed with a heavier GVWR (over 6,000 lb (2,722 kg)) and maximum payload.

1977 Ford F-150 Explorer

In 1975 (1976 model year), this familiar "split-grille" design was given a slight face lift to feature black accents around the headlights and a refined overall appearance.

For the 1976 model year, a limited edition Bicentennial Option Group was offered on Custom styleside pickups, in either Wimbledon White or Bahama Blue, with a golden eagle stripe on the side, and red, white, and blue cloth inserts on the seats.[3]

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.

1979 Ford F-100 Custom

Ford F-100 Ranger XLT

For 1978, the appearance of the F-Series changed the most since 1972, when the split grille was overhauled in favor of a single-piece grille insert design. Much larger than before, the grille no longer incorporated the headlights, turn signals or the "F O R D" letters. The headlights were located in housings beside the grille, and the park/turn signal lamps were located below them. Additionally, a new chrome-plated letter set reading "F O R D" could now be seen on the hood immediately above the grille. In 1977 (1978 models), the round headlight design was retained for the Custom trim level. A luxury "Lariat" trim was also introduced for 1978; Ranger, Ranger XLT, and Ranger Lariat trim levels incorporated rectangular headlights with optional chrome headlight bezels and the chrome grille insert. Dual Fuel tanks in the bed became standard. For 1979, round headlights were replaced by rectangular ones on all trim levels, and the surrounding grille insert that framed the headlights was now available in either black or chrome to match that of the aluminum grille frame. Also new for 1978 was the option of part- or full-time four-wheel-drive on SuperCab models. Full-time four-wheel drive utilized a chain-driven NP203 transfer case, while part-time four-wheel drive was equipped with a gear-driven NP205.

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.

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.[4]

• 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.[5] 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.[6]

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.[7] The Canadian built 4x4 F-250 was added to the lineup in 1975 with the 300CID Straight-6 engine to supplement the locally assembled rear-wheel drive F-100, F-250 and F-350.

The 250CID Straight-6 was upgraded with a new crossflow head and rebadged as the 4.1 litre, increasing power and lowering emissions to meet new legislation being introduced in Australia.[7] At some point during 1976, the GVM of the F-100 was quietly increased from 2,586 kg (5,701 lb) to 2,770 kg (6,107 lb) ahead of the release of the 1977 specs. In 1977, a locally assembled 4x4's F-100 with Australian built engines was added to the lineup to replace the fully imported 4x4 F-250.

In 1978, the 351 Cleveland V-8 replaced the 302 Cleveland V8 in the F-250 and F-350. The 302 Cleveland continued alongside the 351 Cleveland in the F-100. The 4.1 litre inline 6 cylinder continued to be sold across the range. In 1979, the 302 Cleveland was discontinued, leaving the standard engine as the 4.1 litre Straight-6, with the 351 Cleveland (badged as the 5.8), as the only upgrade, except the F-100 4x4's which was only available with the 5.8 litre V8. The F-250 and F-350 had an automatic gearbox as an option for the first time in Australia, though still only on the V8 engine.[8]

The F-100 was available with three engine choices, the 221CID "Econ" straight-six, the 292CID Y-Block V8 and a 203CID Perkins 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder diesel engines. The only transmission on offer was a 3-speed manual.[14]