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1997-2003 Ford F150: Model Overview

1997-2003 Ford F150: Model Overview

For the first time since 1979, the 1997 Ford F150 was restyled in a big way. The box style, though iconic, had seen its day. The time had arrived for a new generation of America’s best-selling truck. Aside from badging, the 1997 Ford F150 was a totally different truck – one far different from what America was used to. With a modern touch, the body lines were reshaped for sleekness. The new F150 was also equipped with a more powerful and reliable powertrain, and though it broke from its retro roots, it was an instant icon. This was the tenth generation of the F150, which lasted through 2003, and it showed no slowing of momentum in the truck’s long history as America’s preferred truck.

Shop F150 Exterior Parts

Just because the 1997-2003 F150 is on the older side doesn't mean you can't make yours look fresh. A bed cover will streamline the look of your F150 while things like bumpers and grille guards will add an aggressive, off-roading feel to your truck.

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1997-2003 Ford F150 Engine

For the 10th generation of the half-ton F-series, the beloved Windsor platform would not return. Instead, Ford would power this truck with the Triton engines as the V8 options.

The Triton may have been a newcomer in the dawn of the millennium, but here it would prove itself as a power plant. For the years to come Ford would lean on the capabilities of this machine to feed the needs of F150 owners. 

Three total engines were available to this generation; one V6 and two V8s: 

  • 4.2 L Essex V6 (205 hp @ 4750 RPM 250 lb-ft @ 3,000 RPM)
  • 4.6 L Triton V8 (220 hp @ 4,500 RPM 290 lb-ft @ 3,250 RPM)
  • 5.4 L Triton V8 (260 hp @ 4,500 RPM 345 lb-ft @ 2,300 RPM)

1997-2003 Ford F150 Transmission

The transmission options would naturally see a change to accompany the new engine platform and Ford’s quest for forward motion. Unlike the prior generation there would only be one manual transmission option available and for the automatics; the C-6 had ridden off into the sunset with the Windsor engines. 

The transmissions available were:

  • 4R70W 4-speed automatic
  • E4OD 4-speed automatic
  • 4R100 4-speed automatic
  • M5OD-R2 5-speed manual

1997-2003 Ford F150 Cab Options

Like most full-sized pickup trucks, the F150 comes with three cab options. But Ford names them a bit unconventionally for added branding. The standard cab is no different in name, but a Supercab is essentially an extended cab with smaller rear-entry doors, and a Supercrew is the full four-door version.

 

1997-2003 Ford F150 Trim Levels

The trim of your truck dictates the personality of it. Some want a bare-bones work truck and others may enjoy the luxuries of leather seats and a beefy sound system. With that in mind, the F150 has never sold itself short of fulfilling the owner’s desires for their full-sized truck.

Base Model 1997-2003 F150: This was the most basic model option. This version came with either a standard cab or a super cab and the choice between the 4.2 and the 4.6 engines and a bench seat to support the front and rear-riding passengers. 

XL 1997-2003 F150: The XL was a step up above the base model and would come with many similarities. The major difference being you have the choice between all three engine options available to the F150; it does not feature the option of a manual transmission. 

XLT 1997-2003 F150:  As you can infer the XLT was a step up above the XL. The power plant options are similar but the automatic shifter configuration can vary and you are able to get your hands on a manual. This trim level is available to the standard cab, Supercab, and the Supercrew. A bucket seat is standard to the shorter cab options and bucket seats are available for the front of a Supercrew.

Lariat 1997-2003 F150: The manual transmission was an option for this truck. This model featured only two engine options, both V8s, and was well dressed with a fancier interior to contrast its work truck configuration. You can find all three-cab options under this trim level and, similar to the XLT, you could find buckets in the front of the Supercrew.

King Ranch 1997-2003 F150: The King Ranch was named after Richard King, founder of the 825,000-acre “King Ranch” in Texas back in 1853, and was modeled to be a luxurious work truck you could call on to roam the land. This was only available as a full Supercrew with a V8 engine and an automatic transmission. The interior is of the highest level, and the front was fitted with bucket seats. 

Harley-Davidson 2000-2003 F150: At first this truck was an instant hit based solely on its Harley-Davidson badging. This truck was only available as a Supercrew with bucket seats in only the front for its first model year. After the year 2000 bucket seats were available all around, and in the final year you could get your hands on the model powered by the beastly Ford Lighting power plant.

Heritage 2003 F150: Though the Heritage was only available for one model year, it was anything but insignificant. Ford celebrated 100 years of production with this version of the F-150. This model was the most well-dressed version of the truck. The Heritage featured unique styling from top to bottom including a unique grille, signature badging, and 17-inch aluminum rims.

SVT Ford Lightning 1999-2003 F150: Though all other trim packages available to this generation of F150 were great, none came close to leaving an impact quite like the Lighting did. This model was a single cab, supercharged, ass-hauling street truck. Though it still retains the working capabilities that the F150 is known for, the SVT Ford Lightning was designed for performance on par with some of the quickest Mustangs of its time.

It’s only available as a single cab truck and packs a massive punch with its high-powered, supercharged 5.4-liter V8. This model was as bad as they come, and it never came across as a simple whisper in the history of performance vehicles. It made around 480 horsepower, which was a major blow considering 260-horsepower Mustangs were considered fast at the beginning of the decade. 

Fitment includes: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, Base, XL, XLT, Lariat, Lightning, KingRanch, HarleyDavidson