1966

The 1966 Ford F-100 was the final chapter of the fourth generation, a year of minor refinements to a truck that had evolved substantially since its 1961 introduction. With the fifth-generation redesign already in development, Ford made only detail-level changes to the 1966 model, relying on the strength of the Twin I-Beam suspension and updated powertrain that had arrived the previous year.

Exterior changes were subtle. The grille received a modest revision, with an updated insert pattern that gave the front end a slightly different texture. Turn signal indicators were updated, and minor trim adjustments helped distinguish the 1966 model on dealer lots. From any distance, however, the truck was visually identical to the 1965 model, sharing the same restyled front end that had debuted for 1964 and the same cab and body that had been in production since 1961. Both the Styleside and Flareside body configurations continued without change.

The mechanical package carried over from 1965 without significant modification. The 300 cubic-inch Big Six continued as the base engine at 170 horsepower, providing the same stout torque output that had made it an instant favorite among truck buyers. The 352 FE V8 remained the sole V8 option at 208 horsepower. Transmission choices were unchanged, with the 3-speed manual as standard equipment, the 4-speed manual available for heavy-duty work, and the Cruise-O-Matic automatic for buyers who preferred it. The Twin I-Beam front suspension continued to deliver its characteristic blend of ride comfort and working durability.

The Custom Cab trim package returned for its final year in the fourth-generation body, offering the same package of upgraded interior appointments that had distinguished it throughout the generation. Two-tone paint options remained available, and Ford continued to offer a range of colors and trim combinations that allowed buyers to personalize their trucks.

Production reached approximately 164,836 units, the highest total of any fourth-generation year and a strong finish for a design that had been in production for six years. The growing trend of pickup trucks as personal transportation continued to accelerate through the mid-1960s, and the F-100 was well positioned to capture buyers who wanted a vehicle that could serve double duty as both a work truck and a comfortable daily driver.

The 1966 F-100 represents the most refined and fully developed version of the fourth generation. Every issue that had surfaced during the generation’s run had been addressed: the unibody was gone, the engines had been updated, and the Twin I-Beam suspension had solved the ride quality question. For collectors, the 1966 model offers the advantage of being the final and most sorted year of its generation, with all of the improvements accumulated over six years of production. The 300 Six and 352 FE V8 are both well-supported engines with excellent parts availability, and the body-on-frame construction makes restoration straightforward compared to the earlier unibody models. As the last of the fourth generation, the 1966 F-100 also holds appeal as a bookend to a series that saw Ford’s trucks transition from the chrome-laden 1950s aesthetic to the cleaner, more functional designs of the mid-1960s.