The First Ford F-Series Trucks: Turning Pickups into Daily Drivers

Ford introduced the first generation of its F-series “Bonus Built” pickup trucks in 1948. This was not Ford’s first truck. Earlier trucks like the Model TT, Model AA, and Model BB had sold well and were staples in many industries for deliveries and shipping. But in post-WWII America, Ford saw the potential for the truck to become more than a working vehicle.

In the post-war years, Ford dedicated over $1 million to develop the F-series. The main difference? Previous Ford trucks simply had a truck body mounted on the standard car chassis. The F-series used a designated chassis specifically for trucks. For then designed a range of body, chassis, and engine combinations, introduced comfort features, and made the truck safer and easier to handle. For the first time, a pickup truck could be a man’s everyday car.

Designing a Truck for Every Purpose

Although Ford wanted to make trucks more appealing to the masses, a pickup truck was still a utility vehicle and Ford designed its F-series to fit every possible need. There were 115 combinations of body and chassis styles, and 8 weight classes. The 8 weights ranged from the ½ ton F-1 to the 3 ton F-8. Chassis options included:

• Pickup Truck
• Panel Truck
• Conventional Truck
• Cab Over Engine Truck
• School Bus

Engine options included a flathead 6-cylinder engine or a V-8 for more power. These trucks were used commercially as everything from delivery vehicles to firetrucks, but the light F-1 became the basis for future pickup trucks.

Turning the Pickup Truck into a Family Car

The money and time Ford spent on researching for its new truck was evident in the styling of the 1948 F-series. All models F-1 through F-8 used a single bench seat in the cab, but new cowl vent windows, ashtrays, and glove boxes made the interior more comfortable. Ford even moved the doors forward 3 inches on the cab to make it easier to get in and out.

The first years of the F-series, known as the first generation, stayed largely the same in design, but the new truck had been enough. Ford had positioned the pickup truck as a utilitarian vehicle that was comfortable, safe, and affordable for anyone to drive.

The F-series continued through several generations, and is still in production today, but the first generation is something special. The snub-nosed hoods and sleek lines created a nostalgic design that still stands out.

Vintage Ford pickups still make attractive daily drivers, but often need to be converted to 12-volt power in order to work with aftermarket additions like turn signals and radios. The 12-volt system also makes it easy to complete repairs when needed since the higher power parts are more readily available. At Vintage Auto Garage, we sell 6-volt to 12-volt conversion kits for both the 6-cylinder and V-8 engines that make the upgrade simple and straightforward.

You can find 12-volt conversion kits for your first generation Ford truck here on our website or we invite you to call us at 800-516-4461 to talk one on one about the process of upgrading your antique Ford truck.