The tenth generation of the Ford F-Series is a line of pickup trucks produced by Ford Motor Company from the 1997 to 2004 model years. The first ground-up redesign of the F-Series since 1979, the tenth generation saw the introduction of an all-new chassis and a completely new body. In a significant model change, the tenth generation was developed only for the F-150 (and later a light-duty F-250), with the ninth-generation F-250 and F-350 replaced by the all-new Ford Super Duty variant of the F-Series for 1999. Marketed as the SuperCrew, a crew-cab configuration was also offered, beginning with the 2001 model year.

Alongside its all-new body and chassis, the tenth-generation F-150 saw further changes to the F-Series line, including the retirement of the Twin-I-Beam front suspension (the first Ford light truck to do so), an entirely new engine lineup, and the addition of a rear door (later two) to SuperCab trucks. The F-150 again served as the basis for Ford full-size SUVs, as the long-running Ford Bronco was replaced by the five-door Ford Expedition for 1997, with Lincoln-Mercury introducing the Lincoln Navigator for 1998. For 2002, Lincoln-Mercury marketed its own version of the F-Series, introducing the Lincoln Blackwood as Lincoln's first pickup truck.

Through its production, the model line was assembled by multiple Ford facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico; after its replacement in 2004, this generation was rebranded as the Ford Lobo in Mexico from 2004 to 2010 (when it was replaced by the twelfth-generation F-150).

Development In late 1989, during mid-stage development of a facelift due in late 1991 for the 1992 model year, Ford commenced the PN-96 program on a new truck platform and designated Thomas Baughman as chief engineer. In mid-1990, Andrew Jacobson was designated as design director for the PN-96 truck program. By 1991, designers had developed clay models indicative of car-like styling, based on a new design theme.

Despite the disapproval from focus groups towards "softer" styling during 1991 and 1992 in concept design clinics, Ford management backed the "aero" design philosophy. The end result by Bob Aikins reached in November 1992 and frozen for production in February 1993, took the aero styling further with a rounded nose on the new F-Series. The PN-96 mules went into testing 1993, with prototypes running from early 1994. Pilot production began in 1995. Continuing with the idea of a "smoother" design, Ford decided to upgrade the front suspension to an independent, which gives more comfort and maneuverability, leaving behind the old twin beam suspension.

1997–2004 Being the F-150's first major redesign since late 1979, the redesigned truck went on a nationwide 87-stop tour to Ford plants and the external part suppliers in October 1995, prior to its release. To build anticipation for the redesigned truck, the 1997 model was released on January 25, 1996, with the first ad campaigns airing during Super Bowl XXX. Because of the radical styling, Ford predicted from marketing clinics that traditional truck buyers would not receive the radical and car-like 1997 well, so it continued to produce and sell the previous 1996 model alongside the redesigned 1997 model for a few months.

A wide variety of body options were available: the 2–3 passenger 2-door regular cab and the 5–6 passenger 3-door SuperCab (4-door after 1999 MY), and beds, and a choice of Styleside or Flareside beds on models. The high-performance trim "Lightning" was introduced in March 1999, and Harley-Davidson and King Ranch editions were also produced for the 2000 and 2001 model years, respectively. In 1999, the SuperCrew cab was introduced with four full-size doors for the 2001 model year. A Sport 4×4 model was also introduced in 1999. It featured the 5.4L Triton V8 and color-matched bumpers and mirror housings, and was available in regular cab and SuperCab in four colors: white, red, black, and silver. In 2002, an FX4 model was introduced, which came with skid plates, a carbon steel frame, Rancho shock absorbers, and unique 17" aluminum wheels, along with more standard features that were optional on XLT. In 2003, a sporty STX trim package was introduced, aimed at younger truck buyers. The STX package featured color-keyed front/rear bumpers along with clear lens headlights and integrated round fog lamps. The package also featured chrome step rails, 17" chrome wheels, and a Kenwood Z828 stereo in place of the standard Ford radio. Also in 2003, a special trim package "Heritage Edition" version with special badging was produced to mark the 100th anniversary of the Ford Motor Company, available only in the 139-inch wheelbase SuperCab model.

Sales of the F-150 surged in the tenth generation from 750,000 to over 900,000 in 2001 as products from General Motors and Chrysler lagged. Ford's sales dropped, however, for the final years of this generation as the redesigned Dodge Ram and refreshed Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra were released.

The new F-150 was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year in 1997. The tenth-generation F-150 had a minor facelift in September 1998, along with some minor interior updates to the 1999 model, including a redesigned instrument cluster and new door panels for the additional door. The manual transmission was removed from the Lariat for the 1999 model year, which was also the last year of the regular cab in Lariat trim. On December 13, 1999, production began on the SuperCrew cab, which launched in February 2000 as an early 2001 model.

Ford also produced a limited number of F-150s with 2003 body styles, which were marketed as "F-150 Heritage" (not to be confused with the 2003 "Heritage Edition"). The only exterior change for 2004 models was that the headlamps had fully amber turn signal lenses. The SuperCrew body style and the Lariat trim were dropped, leaving only the XL and XLT trims available. The manual transmission option with the 4.6 L V8 was also discontinued. The final tenth-generation F-150 rolled off the assembly line on June 28, 2004.

This generation of F-150 was sold in Mexico alongside the new eleventh-generation F-Series through 2008. It was only available as a Regular Cab and in XL trim, while the newer model was available in more trims. SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations and the new model was badged as Lobo, while the older model retained the F-150 name.

Powertrain This generation of F-150 features an all-new lineup of engines, each more efficient than the ones they replaced. A 4.2-liter OHV V6, based on Ford's 3.8-liter Essex V6, replaced the 4.9-liter inline-six, while the 4.6- and 5.4-liter SOHC V8s replaced the 5.0- and 5.8-liter OHV V8s. The new V8s were marketed under the "Triton" name and mark the first use of Ford's Modular single overhead cam (SOHC) engines in the F-Series pickups. Ford's own 8.8" torsion-bar front suspension replaced the Dana 44 Twin-Traction Beam front end, while the Ford 8.8" rear axle remained standard. The Ford 9.75 axle was standard behind the 5.4L, but optional behind the 4.6L. In 2000, the Sterling 10.25 axle became part of the 7,700-lb GVWR package.

Engines: Engine Years Power Torque Notes 4.2 L Essex V6 1997–2004 Regular Cab and 4×2 SuperCab models in base, XL, and XLT trims only 4.6 L Triton V8 1997–2000 4.6 L Triton V8 2001–2004 5.4 L Triton V8 1997–1998 5.4 L Triton V8 1999–2004 5.4 L Supercharged Triton V8 1999–2000 Lightning only 5.4 L Supercharged Triton V8 2001–2004 Lightning only 5.4 L Supercharged Triton V8 1999–2004 Harley-Davidson only

Trim Standard (1998), Work Series (1999–2000); became a more basic package for the XL in 2001 – Included: Vinyl upholstery, bench seat, manual mirrors, steel wheels, 4-pin trailer wiring, manual windows, an AM/FM stereo with a clock, and a manual transmission. XL – Included: Chrome bumpers, manual mirrors, styled-steel wheels, poly knit (later, cloth) upholstery, bench seat, manual windows, a manual or automatic transmission, and an AM/FM stereo with a clock (and later, a cassette player). XLT – Added: aluminum wheels, cloth upholstery, tinted rear windows, cargo box light, tachometer, power windows and locks with automatic driver's side window, an AM/FM stereo with a cassette player (later, a single-CD player) and clock, air conditioning, and later, a leather wrapped steering wheel, an overhead console with compass and garage openers, speed-dependent wipers, and power mirrors. Lariat – Added: 4.6L Triton V8 engine, cast aluminum wheels, carpeted floor mats, power mirrors with turn signals, power driver's seat, automatic headlamps, leather trimmed seats, anti-lock brake system, and later, an automatic transmission, an AM/FM stereo with single-CD and cassette players and clock, and Ford's proprietary keypad entry system, marketed as SecuriCode. King Ranch – Added: leather upholstery, heated seats, captain chairs and a 6-disc CD changer.

Safety This generation of F-150 received two five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in direct contrast to the "Poor" rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the frontal offset test,

Ford has found that the cruise control system in many of its trucks could catch fire because the switch system could corrode over time, overheat, and ignite. Ignition was later blamed on spillage from the adjacent master cylinder. On March 5, 2007, Ford recalled 155,000 2003 full-size pickups and full-size SUVs for the defective part. During the previous two years, Ford had recalled 5.8 million vehicles in because of the defective cruise control systems in trucks, SUVs, and vans. That recall, one of the largest in history, covered vehicles from the 1994–2002 model years.

Variants

F-250 light-duty (1997–1999)

At its January 1996 launch, the 1997 PN96 F-Series was only offered as a F-150; the F-250 and F-350 were produced as 1996 models on the previous-generation chassis. To bridge the gap between the F-150 and the heavier-duty pickups, a PN96 version of the F-250 light-duty was introduced nearly a year later (though also a 1997 model), slotted between the F-150 and the F-250HD of the previous-generation chassis. While nearly externally identical to the F-150 in terms of options and styling, the F-250 gained increased load capability thanks to a Sterling 10.25" rear axle and a heavier-duty rear suspension; the F-250 was distinguished by seven-lug wheels.

The PN-96 F-250 light-duty was marketed from 1997 to 1999, with Ford offering two generations of the vehicle under the same nameplate. For 1999, the F-250HD and F-350 were replaced by the Super Duty F-Series; the suspension components of the PN-96 F-250 continued as a "7700" option package from 2000 to 2003.

SVT Lightning (1999–2004) The Ford SVT Lightning is a sports/performance version of the F-150, developed by the SVT (Special Vehicle Team) division of Ford. For 1999, the second generation of the Lightning was released using the PN96 platform, after a three-year hiatus of the model line. As with its 1993–1995 predecessor, the Lightning was based on the F-150; all versions were produced with a regular cab, rear-wheel drive, and a bed length. In sharp contrast to its predecessor, the 1999–2002 Lightning was given a payload of (half the payload of a Ranger); for 2003, the figure was raised to .