{"id":15249217,"date":"2026-08-10T14:43:48","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T18:43:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position\/"},"modified":"2026-08-10T18:33:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T22:33:42","slug":"sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position\/","title":{"rendered":"Sixth Gen (1973-1979) Ford F-Series Trucks: Ford Takes the Leadership Position"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"media-component sl-media js-media-component js-pin-data sl-element sl-significant-element\" id=\"element-191530\" data-pin-params=\"{&quot;url_to_share&quot;:null,&quot;utm_medium&quot;:null,&quot;utm_campaign&quot;:null,&quot;utm_media&quot;:9859141,&quot;utm_syndication_post&quot;:null,&quot;path&quot;:&quot;2026\/08\/10\/10411.jpg&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"rs-photo-wrap js-media-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"media-wrap js-media-wrap js-pin-item relative sl-photo-wrap\" style=\"max-width:min(100%, 720px);aspect-ratio: 1.739\">\n<div class=\"socials flex js-social-btn\">\n                    <a class=\"button float-button share-button sb-button sb-facebook js-fb-share\" data-ht-track=\"Share Facebook Overlay\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook\"><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"si-facebook\"><\/span><br \/>\n                    <\/a><br \/>\n    <a class=\"button float-button share-button sb-button sb-pinterest js-pin-button js-no-pintack hidden sl-pinterest-button\" data-allowed-for-syndication=\"0\" data-ht-track=\"Share Pinterest Overlay\" aria-label=\"Pin this photo\"><br \/>\n        <span class=\"si-pinterest\"><\/span><br \/>\n    <\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                    <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"sixth gen 1973 1979 ford f series trucks ford takes the leadership position\" class=\"sl-post-image sl-syndication-image media-item-track\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-fastly.thetruthaboutcars.com\/media\/2026\/08\/10\/10411\/sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position.jpg?size=720x845&amp;nocrop=1\" width=\"720\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1.739\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-block sl-post-text sl-paragraph sl-element \" id=\"element-191533\">\n<p>During 6th generation. Ford Wanted to deliver a truck that could comfortably serve as a not only a work vehicle but as an everyday driver. <\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"media-component sl-media js-media-component js-pin-data sl-element sl-significant-element\" id=\"element-191536\" data-pin-params=\"{&quot;url_to_share&quot;:null,&quot;utm_medium&quot;:null,&quot;utm_campaign&quot;:null,&quot;utm_media&quot;:9859189,&quot;utm_syndication_post&quot;:null,&quot;path&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/cdn-fastly.thetruthaboutcars.com\/media\/2026\/08\/10\/10413\/post.jpg&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"video-outer-wrap sl-element\">\n<div class=\"video-wrapper sl-post-video sl-video-wrapper js-video-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-block sl-post-text sl-paragraph sl-element sl-significant-element\" id=\"element-191539\">\n<p>For years the Ford pickup had been used by professional tradesman, farmers, and those seeking something they could take off road for hunting and fishing or camping. In the \u201950s Ford sold rough 100,000 trucks per year in the \u201960s that number jumped to 300,000 and early \u201970s those numbers were well over half a million trucks per year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>Still there were those at Ford that felt IF the full-size truck were made to be more comfortable, if Ford added more options, and upscale models they could do better and that was the mission for the 6th generation Ford truck.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><i>The\u00a0<\/i><b><i>TTAC Creators Series<\/i><\/b><i>\u00a0tells stories and amplifies creators from all corners of the car world, including culture, dealerships, collections, modified builds and more.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>An AI-generated transcript summary edited by a staffer is below.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>[Image: Tony&#8217;s Fords and Mustangs\/YouTube]<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><i>Become a\u00a0TTAC insider. Get the latest\u00a0news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by\u00a0<\/i><i> <a href=\"https:\/\/email.thetruthaboutcars.com\/newsletter-signup\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">subscribing to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a><\/i><i>.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-block sl-post-text sl-paragraph sl-element sl-significant-element\" id=\"element-191542\">\n<p><b>Summary: Sixth-Generation Ford F-Series (1973\u20131979)<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The transcript examines the\u00a0<b>sixth-generation Ford F-Series<\/b>, introduced for the 1973 model year, and argues that Ford\u2019s strategy of making pickups more comfortable, versatile and car-like helped transform the truck from primarily a work tool into an everyday vehicle. Ford had already seen truck sales climb from roughly 100,000 annually in the 1950s to nearly 500,000 by the early 1970s, but company planners believed the market could grow further.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b>The 1973 redesign<\/b>\u00a0retained much of the previous generation&#8217;s styling but introduced new body panels, a larger cab, increased track width and longer wheelbases. The distinctive concave side body line earned the trucks the nickname\u00a0<b>\u201cDent Side.\u201d<\/b>\u00a0Interior improvements included more room, curved side windows, relocated fuel tanks, additional storage, a redesigned dashboard and improved heating\/defrosting. Ford also offered numerous comfort and convenience options, helping move the pickup toward passenger-car levels of equipment.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The powertrain lineup included several inline-six and V8 engines, ranging from the 240-cubic-inch six to the powerful\u00a0<b>460-cubic-inch V8<\/b>, with manual and automatic transmissions available. Twin I-Beam front suspension remained a major Ford selling point, while front disc brakes became standard on two-wheel-drive models. Trim levels expanded from the basic\u00a0<b>Custom<\/b>\u00a0through\u00a0<b>Ranger<\/b>\u00a0to the upscale\u00a0<b>Ranger XLT<\/b>, with options such as air conditioning, AM\/FM stereo, carpeting, upgraded upholstery, towing equipment and camper packages.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b>Evolution During the Generation<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"listul\">\n<li>\n<ul class=\"listul\">\n<li><b>1973:<\/b>\u00a0The new generation debuted and sold an impressive\u00a0<b>724,027 trucks<\/b>.<\/li>\n<li><b>1974:<\/b>\u00a0Ford introduced the\u00a0<b>SuperCab<\/b>, adding 22 inches to the wheelbase and providing substantially more interior space, including seating for up to six.<\/li>\n<li><b>1975:<\/b>\u00a0The major development was the introduction of the\u00a0<b>F-150<\/b>, positioned between the F-100 and F-250. Its higher GVWR also allowed it to avoid certain emissions requirements at the time.<\/li>\n<li><b>1976:<\/b>\u00a0Ford added grille changes, made disc brakes standard on 4&#215;4 models and offered a limited\u00a0<b>Bicentennial Edition<\/b>.<\/li>\n<li><b>1977:<\/b>\u00a0The Flareside bed returned, new 351M and 400M V8s replaced the 360 and 390, rust protection was improved and the F-150 became the only half-ton Ford available with four-wheel drive. Sales reached\u00a0<b>723,925<\/b>, making Ford America&#8217;s best-selling truck brand.<\/li>\n<li><b>1978:<\/b>\u00a0A major front-end redesign brought a large aluminum grille surround, rectangular headlights on higher trims, improved cab sealing, additional luxury options and four-wheel drive for the SuperCab. The new\u00a0<b>Ranger Lariat<\/b>\u00a0became the top trim.<\/li>\n<li><b>1979:<\/b>\u00a0Rectangular headlights became standard and catalytic converters were added to F-150s as emissions regulations tightened.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>The Bigger Story<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The most important point is that\u00a0<b>Ford&#8217;s strategy worked<\/b>. Sales climbed dramatically during the generation, eventually approaching\u00a0<b>one million F-Series trucks annually<\/b>. The transcript credits the combination of greater comfort, more options, higher trim levels and increased practicality for expanding the pickup&#8217;s appeal beyond traditional commercial and recreational users.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The transformation wasn&#8217;t without controversy. A 1973\u00a0<i>MotorTrend<\/i>\u00a0review criticized the growing size, expense and car-like character of full-size pickups, arguing that trucks were becoming less useful as tools. The transcript acknowledges that criticism but concludes that Ford recognized where the market was heading:\u00a0<b>Buyers were willing to pay more for trucks that offered the comfort and amenities of cars while retaining truck capability.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Bottom line:<\/b>\u00a0The sixth-generation F-Series was a pivotal moment in the history of the American pickup. Ford took a vehicle traditionally viewed as a work implement and deliberately turned it into a more comfortable, customizable and lifestyle-oriented vehicle. The resulting sales growth \u2014 culminating in nearly a million trucks a year \u2014 helped establish the formula that would make the F-Series America&#8217;s dominant pickup line for decades.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"inmi-source\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutcars.com\/cars\/news-blog\/sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position-45136036?utm_medium=auto&amp;utm_source=rss&amp;utm_campaign=all_full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Autos \u2013 The Truth About Cars<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During 6th generation. Ford Wanted to deliver a truck that could comfortably serve as a not only a work vehicle but as an everyday driver.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15249219,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[219],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15249217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-autos"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position.webp",720,845,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position-300x352.webp",300,352,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position-620x728.webp",620,728,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position.webp",720,845,false],"large":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position.webp",720,845,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position.webp",720,845,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position.webp",720,845,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position-720x665.webp",720,665,true],"ignition_item":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position-670x446.webp",670,446,true],"ignition_item_lg":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position.webp",720,845,false],"ignition_article_media":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position-510x510.webp",510,510,true],"ignition_minicart_item":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position-160x160.webp",160,160,true],"profile_24":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position-24x24.webp",24,24,true],"profile_48":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position-48x48.webp",48,48,true],"profile_96":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position-96x96.webp",96,96,true],"profile_150":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position-150x150.webp",150,150,true],"profile_300":["https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/15249217-sixth-gen-1973-1979-ford-f-series-trucks-ford-takes-the-leadership-position-300x300.webp",300,300,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"news.iNthacity","author_link":"https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/author\/atombo\/"},"category_info":"<a 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