Ford F-150 and F-250 Get Even Better for 1999

America's best-selling vehicle for 16 straight years - the Ford F-Series - gets even better for 1999 with a tough new front-end appearance and a more powerful 5.4-liter, V-8 engine. A fourth door, which improves access to the rear seat, has been made standard on all F-Series SuperCab models.

The under-8,500-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) F-150 and F-250 models have been freshened for the 1999 model year with new front bumper and grille, new cast aluminum wheels and an optional performance-boosted 5.4-liter Triton V-8 engine (separate information is enclosed on the new over-8,500-lb. GVWR 1999 Super Duty F-Series).

The F-150 and F-250 SuperCab models get a standard fourth door for 1999, meeting Ford's commitment to become the first manufacturer offering a full range of fourdoor extended cab pickups. In March 1998, the 1999 Super Duty F-Series became the first over-8,500-pound GVWR SuperCab truck to offer a standard fourth door, while Ford's compact Ranger pickup started offering customers a four-door superb in May.

The changes are part of an evolution that has made F-Series the best-selling vehicle in America - car or truck - for 16 consecutive years.  F-Series has been the best-selling truck for the past 21 years.

"We recognize that we must continue to give our customers what they
want for Ford to remain America's No. I truck store ' " said Paul Morel,
Ford truck brand manager. "This year we aimed to make the best better
with a standard fourth door, improved 5.4-liter V-8 horsepower, new
styling cues and convenience features such as an optional factory
installed tonneau cover. But we will always remain true to our heritage
by offering durability and value to our customers."

A RUGGED ENGINE AND A LOOK TO MATCH
"All of our engineering design is driven by the F-Series heritage as the
authentic American truck ' " said Bob Westphal, F- 150/250 chief program
engineer. "Practicality and functionality are always at the top of our list,
which explains the four-door SuperCab."

The optional 5.4-liter Triton" V-8 engine is an example. Improved for 1999, the 5.4-liter engine delivers optimum performance at low and high rpm. Peak horsepower has been increased by 25 to 260 horsepower, and peak torque, increased by 15 to 345 foot-pounds, is achieved at 2,300 rpm. With these improvements, the 5.4-liter engine provides torque superior to any V-8-powered half-ton pickup in the segment.

Other engine choices are the standard 4.2-liter V-6 split-port-induction engine and a 4.6-liter Triton" SOHC V-8. The 4.2-liter offers more horsepower than the competition, and the 4.6-liter, V-8 hits peak torque at lower rpm than the Chevy 4.8-liter, V-8 engine.

All F-Series engines include fail-safe cooling. With fail-safe cooling, the engine automatically begins a sequence of cross-bank, altemate-cylinder firings designed to help protect against damage due to coolant loss. And all Triton"" engines can travel 100,000 miles without a first scheduled tuneup (under normal driving conditions with routine fluid and filter changes).