The Ford F150. It’s the best selling Vehicle in the US
of all time. I didn’t say best selling car, I didn’t
say best selling truck. I said best selling vehicle. On average Ford sells two trucks every minute. Americans love the F150, but how did that
happen? Why is America’s most popular car..a TRUCK? Well you’re about to find out partner. This is everything you need to know to get Up to Speed on the Ford F150. Ford’s been building trucks for a Long. Ass. Time. Their first truck debuted in 1917, when Ford
offered a cargo-focused version of the Model T. Ever heard of it? They called this the Model TT. It was basically a Model T with a bed. In 1926 Ford updated the design with their
new Model AA; it had a sturdier frame, and it’s wheels were made from steel, not wooden
spokes like the Model T. Despite the fact that the automobile was a relatively new invention,
Americans warmly embraced the new-found utility of the Pickup Truck. Farmers used the Model TT and AA to haul their
harvest into town, Business owners could easily transport their merchandise, and emergency
services could now react in a fraction of the time. The truck legitimately changed the lives of
millions of Americans, and Ford was largely responsible. Ford continued to build their trucks until
the second World War, when they focused all production on the war effort by building tanks and bombers and sh*t like that. The F-series trucks as we know them began
in 1948 after the end of the war. Ford introduced the “Bonus Built” line
which encompassed the entire F-series; from the half ton “F-1” pickup truck to the
gigantic F-8 intended for industrial use. The F-1 was especially successful in the Post-War
market. Americans were ready to build a new life,
and what better to do that with than a pickup truck? The F1 was super easy to work on, so in the unlikely event of breaking down in the pasture, you could usually fix the problem with common tools. The Second Gen F-series dropped in 1953, and
along with some new engines and updated looks, the Trucks were slowly starting to reflect
America’s changing attitudes towards the pickup. Trucks were becoming less of an appliance,
and more of an extension of their driver’s spirit. Ford gave the new trucks creature comforts
like a radio, dome light and arm rests. For your arms... These might seem like small additions but
they were important, because these simple features made the truck easier to live with
on a day to day basis. Ford also changed the name from F-1 to F-100. In 1959 Ford gave the F-100 a feature that
would help define the Pickup truck as we know it: Four Wheel Drive. Previously if you wanted Four Wheel Drive,
you had to buy an aftermarket conversion kit. But now you could four wheel it right off
the lot, literally. You didn’t need roads, you just drive over
some curbs and through fields all the way home. This versatility helped make the pickup a
symbol of freedom for the American people. In 1965 the F-100 introduced a new style of
suspension that gave each front wheel it’s own axle, called Twin I-Beam. The Twin I-Beam design let each wheel react
to bumps independently. Ford was really proud of their design and
showed it off in crazy commercials featuring how much smoother the ride was with the
new suspension. Ford was killing the competition with the
F-100. The cabs were 3 inches roomier, the chassis
was heavier, and it was easier to drive with power steering and brakes. The Ford pickup was the standard to what other
trucks were measured. Kinda like how Jessica is THE standard of how all other women in my life are judged. Miss you. But Ford didn’t rest on their laurels just like I'm not resting on mine, that’s not what Americans do! In 1973 Ford gave us the Supercab. Up until this point the F-100 had a single
bench for three people. But now, there were some seats in the back. Not only could you use the bed for hauling
hay, gravel or lumber, you could also use the cab to haul your family to the market,
to the movie theater, to the waterpark. This marked an important point where the Pickup
could be a family car... Sort of. In 1975 Ford introduced the F-150 and America’s
truck as we know it had finally arrived. So why add another truck? Basically, the EPA said that any car that weighs a certain amount have to have catalytic converter and unleaded gas. It's boring. The F150 had a stronger chassis than the F100
and could carry more weight in the bed thanks to more leaf springs. After 32 years of service, the F100 was discontinued
in 1980. In the 80s, Ford made the F150 even more comfortable
and efficient in a bid to attract more buyers who would use the truck as a family car. The F150 now had power windows, power locks,fuel
injection, and a sleeker interior. But making the truck more comfortable didn’t
make it any less capable. Kinda like how I can seat in a recliner but still do advanced calculus. Ford showed off the F150’s brawn with crazy
ads dropping the truck from cranes and climbing up giant rock piles...with a Chevy chillin’
in the bed and towing a dodge behind it. It's like...F*** you. In 1993, on the 45th anniversary of the F-Series,
Ford gave America what it didn’t even know it wanted: an F150 made for the racetrack. Ford called it the Lightning, and it featured
modified suspension, and a 5.8 liter engine, and your choice of Red or Black paint. The Lightning wasn’t just an appearance
package good for straight line speed, it was faster around the track than the Mustang GT
AND it could tow up to 8400 pounds. You didn’t need to tow your race car, because
your truck WAS your race car. The first Lightning was made for three years
until 1996 when Ford gave the F150 a total redesign. The Lightning returned in ‘99, and... pretty badass. The new model had a supercharged V8 making
360 horsepower and 440 foot pounds of torque. With all that power and no weight over the
rear wheels it was a burnout machine. The next year SVT gave it 20 more horses,
making it the fastest production truck in the world. The Lightning weighed 4600 pounds and could
do 0-60 in 6.2 seconds. That's pretty fast for 2000. 2001 marked the first time the F150 was offered
with 4 full size doors. Not a big deal right? WRONG. This is when the pickup truck completed it’s
50 year transformation from Utilitarian farm tool, to domesticated family wagon. And no other truck encapsulated this transition
more than the King Ranch edition F150. The King Ranch was outfitted with saddle-grade
Castano leather seats WITH HEATERS, saddle bags to hold your stuff and a six CD changer. What's a CD? On of 'em shiny records? This truck was a Cadillac with Cow Sense,
a Range Rover for the Ranch. This was a truck for work AND going out on the town. The King Ranch was named after the King Ranch,
one of the biggest and oldest ranches in the great state of Texas; and was meant as a tribute
to the hardworking heritage of the Lone Star state. You might expect a truck with a focus on luxury
to be a flash in the pan, but you’d be wrong there buddy. It’s been 17 years since the debut of the
King Ranch and Ford is still making them. And they're selling like frickin' hot cakes Like the Gas Crisis before it, the Economic
Crisis of 2008 f**** everything up. But, it failed to kill the F150. Ford was doing pretty well at the time and
didn’t take a bailout from Uncle Sam, but they did ask for a 6 billion dollar loan to
retool their factories. Why’d they want the loan? So they could make more fuel efficient cars
and truck like the Ecoboost F150. This twin turbo V6 powered truck made 365
horsepower and 420 pounds of torque. The Ecoboost the F150 could be both a capable
hauler and economically minded vehicle, and reflected Ford’s focus (no pun intended) on making more efficient cars. In 2010 Ford gave us another Special F150,
and this one WAS meant to get dirty. It had nearly a foot of suspension travel,
and was developed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team in Baja Baby. Mexico! They also named it after my favorite animal. The Raptor! Undisputed king of factory off-road racers. The Raptor was originally going to be a successor to the Lightning, but It turns
out making a big truck like the F150 super nimble is actually really hard. So instead they decided to “amplify the
Truck’s DNA”. ♫Dino DNA♫ Their words, not mine. and make the Raptor a real off road racer. They sent engineers out to off road races
like the Baja 1000 to see what that lifestyle was all about. And when they came back, they knew what they
needed: Custom suspension, redesigned bodywork and most importantly: sweet graphics. When the Raptor first debuted it was available
with some naturally aspirated V8s, but the new one is powered by the turbocharged V6 that makes even more power; 450 horses and 500 pounds of torque. These SVT guys don’t know when to quit,
do they? Well neither do I. America is made up of people from every background
and lifestyle and there’s an F150 for all of them. You can still get a bare bones two door truck
for the worksite just like your granpa, or you could get one with four doors and take
your family to the fireworks on 4th of July. The F150 is one of the unique autos that transcended
its original purpose to fulfill a destiny intertwined with the American way of life. Do you NEED all that space in the bed? Debatable. Do you NEED to tow anything? I mean, not right now,. Will you ever go off road?Who Knows. But having a pickup like the F150 gives you
the freedom to do all of those whenever you want. It’s the automotive embodiment of the American
spirit, a true symbol for the individual, and In my opinion, the ultimate car
of the people. Suck it Beetle. This episode of Up to Speed is brought to you by: Dollar Shave Club. For a limited time, Dollar Shave Club is basically giving away their S***, shower and shave starter set to new members for only 5 dollars and for 0 dollars for shipping. S***, shower, shave starter set.That's 5 S's, that's how you know it's good! This starter set comes in a beautiful faux wooden box and contains... Their shave butter. Bodywash. And one wipe Charlie's butt wipes. I don't know who Charlie is but I'm super jelly that he has a scented butt wipe names after him. You'll also receive their executive razor, which includes a premium, weighted handle And enough cartridges to last you a frigin' month. After you blow through these, replacements only cost a couple of dollars a month! Now I know what you're saying: "James, your beard is a large part of your signature style and look!" Well guess what? You can shave all kinds of things that aren't your face! This offer is exclusive available at DollarShaveClub.com/DonutMedia That's DollarShaveClub.com/DonutMedia Or, click on the link below! And, if you wanna have a great gift for the holidays, just frigin' give them Dollar Shave Club It's good for boys, it's good for girls, they've got super simple gift memberships AND E-cards! There is no better time to try the club. Dollar Shave Club! That's everything you need to
know to get Up to Speed on the Ford F150. Which gen is your favorite? What’s the biggest thing you’ve ever put
in your bed? Mine? Is Jessica. What’s your take on Truck Nuts? I think they're cool. I think they’re weird but I get it. Still trying to get that Lambo. Send me a dollar. As always don't forget to Like, Comment, Subscribe, Share. Thanks for watching Up to Speed.
I can't watch this right now but I am so excited to watch him talk about something not sporty. I imagine it will be hilarious.
man i remember when the second gen lightning came out. that thing was badass.
I love this fuckin guy, these videos are so funny. Dad?
This is the first video I've ever watched of this channel and that was amazing!
I kind of want one now...
I would love to daily a late 60s, early 70s F series truck. They're so pure looking to me.
This is the first video I've ever watched of this channel and that was amazing!
I kind of want one now...
The "everything you need to know about X" is a winning formula and I enjoy watching them even for cars I know all the history about. But they could really take it to the next level if the stopped with the Jake Paul pre teen audience type jokes.
Edit: According to Car & Driver the Ecoboost gets the same mileage as big engined trucks.
This is the first video I've ever watched of this channel and that was amazing!
I kind of want one now...
It's like he's trying to be the Guy Fieri of cars?