Ford F-Series (second generation)

Second generation
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Also called	Mercury M-Series
Production	1952–1956[1] 1957–1962 (Brazil)
Assembly	Chester, Pennsylvania, USA Dearborn, Michigan, USA Edison, New Jersey, USA Long Beach, California, USA Norfolk, Virginia, USA St. Paul, Minnesota, USA St. Louis, Missouri, USA São Paulo, Brazil (Ford Brazil) Hapeville, Georgia, USA Louisville, Kentucky, USA San Jose, California, USA Highland Park, Michigan, USA
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size pickup truck
Body style	2-door pickup 4-door panel truck
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	215 CID (3.5 L) I6 223 CID (3.7 L) Mileage Maker I6 239 CID (3.9 L) Flathead V8 239 CID (3.9 L) Y-block V8 256 CID (4.2 L) Y-block V8 279 CID (4.6 L) Lincoln Y-block V8 317 CID (5.2 L) Lincoln Y-block V8 390 CID (5.9 L) Lincoln Y-block V8
Transmission	Heavy-duty 3-speed manual[2] 3-speed automatic<[3] 4-speed manual Ford-O-Matic[3]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	110.0 in (2,794 mm) (F-100) 118.0 in (2,997 mm) (F-250)[3]
Length	189.1 in (4,803 mm)[3]
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford F-Series first generation (1948–1952)
Successor	Ford F-Series third generation (1957–1960)

The Ford F-Series was redesigned by Ford for 1953 with a more integrated look. The pickups also obtained their widely familiar names: The F-1 now became the F-100, the F-2 and F-3 now became the F-250, and the F-4 now became the 1-ton F-350. Optional interior amenities were new, including a dome light, lighter, arm rests, sun visors and a radio. On March 13, 1953, the Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission became an option.

Engine types

The 1953 F-100 was the last year for the flathead engine in the US. Models in Canada, however, (Mercury M-Series), retained the flathead. 1953-54 saw the introduction of the new 239 CID overhead valve Y-block V8, dubbed "Power King." The six-cylinder engine's displacement was also increased from 215 to 223 CID and power steering was introduced as an option. In the succeeding years the 239 Y-block was replaced with the 256, 272 and 312.

Body styles

The 1956 F-100 is a one-year only body style. The 1956 F-100 is easily identified as it has vertical windshield pillars and a wrap around windshield as opposed to the sloped pillars and angled windshield of the 1953-55. The 1956 model also offered a larger wraparound back window as an option. Starting in 1956, Ford offered the very rare "Low GVWR" versions of each model. Also in 1956, seat belts became an option.^[3]

Construction in Brazil

Second generation trucks were built in Brazil from 1957 to 1962 as the F-100, F-350 and F-600.

Models

• F-100: 1/2 ton (5,000 GVWR max)
• F-110: 1/2 ton (4,000 GVWR max)
• F-250: 3/4 ton (7,400 GVWR max)
• F-260: 3/4 ton (4,900 GVWR max)
• F-350: 1 ton (9,800 GVWR max)
• F-360: 1 ton (7,700 GVWR max)
• F-600: 2 1/2 ton (16,000 GVWR max)
• F-700 Big Job

Engines

Gallery

1953 Mercury M-100, a Canada-only rebadged F-100 

1953 Ford F-100 

1955 Ford F-100 

1956 Mercury M-100 pickup 

1956 Ford F-100 

References