1980-1986 Ford F-Series

The seventh-generation F-Series was introduced for 1980, marking the first ground-up redesign of the model line since 1965. Alongside an all-new chassis, the pickup trucks received a completely new body. While distinguished by straighter body lines, the aerodynamics of the exterior were optimized to improve fuel economy. Sharing their cab structure with F-Series pickup trucks, medium-duty trucks (F-600 through F-800) underwent their first redesign since 1967.

The powertrain line of this generation underwent multiple revisions through its production. At its launch, the engine line was largely carried over from 1979. While the 7.5L V8 was dropped entirely, a 4.2L V8 was introduced as the smallest V8 engine. For 1982, a 3.8L V6 became the standard engine for the F-100. For 1983, to improve the fuel efficiency of the model line, the M-Series engines (the 5.8L 351M and 6.6L 400 V8s) were dropped; the latter was replaced by the return of the 7.5L V8. In response to low demand and poor performance, the 4.2L V8 and 3.8L V6 were phased out in 1982 and 1983, respectively. For the F-250 and F-350, a 6.9L diesel V8 (sourced from a partnership with International Harvester) became an option for 1983. For 1984, a "H.O" version of the 5.8L V8 was introduced. The 5.0L V8 was fitted with fuel injection as standard equipment for 1986, becoming the first such engine in an American-market pickup truck. The 4.9 was fuel injected on 1987 models.

In line with the previous generation, the SuperCab and 4-door crew cab made their return in 1980 and 1982, respectively. For the first time, a dual rear-wheel version of the F-350 was offered as a pickup truck.

For 1982, Ford revised the badging of the model line, replacing the "FORD" hood lettering with the Ford Blue Oval grille emblem, a design that remains in use on all F-Series trucks today (except the Raptor). The same year, the Ranger trims was dropped; the name shifted to the Ford Ranger compact pickup (replacing the Ford Courier). After 30 years as the smallest F-Series truck, the F-100 was dropped after 1983, eliminating model overlap with the F-150 (and payload overlap with the Ranger).

This generation would be the final version of the F-Series to offer a 3-speed column-shifted manual transmission; it is also the second-to-last vehicle sold in the United States with this configuration.