Just because you can't distinguish year models of 1997-2003 doesn't mean it is impossible or even difficult.

 

On some trim levels...

 

Not saying I can't, i'm saying that a minuscule change does not make a "revision"

I suppose it was a major change in 2005 when they dropped the yellow color

Or how about, a major revision when they introduced the 3 valve 4.6 in what, 2007?

 

In 1989, they changed the fuel system on all F series trucks, from a 2 pump system to a one pump system... hence, the truck was redesigned in 1989, right?

 

Who said it's a redesign? It's a refresh. Geez dude, get a freakin grip!

Oh, and I can tell a '97-'98 from a '99 to '03 with a quick glance at the front. It's not difficult for true Ford truck fans.

 

97 unique exhaust, flat front clip, light grey window surround
98 flat front, early 98 had light grey surround still, but most are dark grey
99 light grey honey comb grill insert
00-02 lots of chrome surrounds
03 fewer chrome surrounds, more painted handles
04 orange corner markers instead of the amber

98 had STX and Nascar
99-02 had Sport package
03 had STX
99-00 Lightning plain F150 lights unique wheels
01-02 Lightning upgraded lights, unique wheels
03-04 Lightning upgraded lights, unique wheels
00-03 KR unique colors
00-03 Harley Davidson each year have unique paint and valences
02-03 Boss model?

This is off the top of my head
What else did I miss?




We are quickly digressing here from the OP

 

^ there's a term for people who see stuff that subtle

They are called rivet counters

And for the record, lots of the stuff you mention are only on certain trim levels. XL and XLT's always had the bar type grill, be it gray, black, chrome, whatever

The honeycomb grill was always available on lariats, and probably xlt's some years.

yeah, the front bumper was slightly different some years, as were the foglights

you are really grasping for straws here, you want to get down to gear ratios available only certain years?

i'm not playing that game. 1997-2003 (and 04 heritage) were the same truck plus or minus a couple bolts, a VERY slightly different grille in some cases, and a slightly different bumper some years. Otherwise bolt for bolt interchangeable.

2004-2008, 2009-2014 are significantly different both inside and out, as are 2015+, so far.

So the 2011-2014 grilles are slightly different, like there is an extra bar or bend or whatever inside the same frootprint and frame of the grille, wow... I know some of you pay 20 grand for that different grille and different badge on the side of it that might start with a P instead of an X... joke's on you

I guess we will truly tell what changes when 2017 gets here. But I would just about bet anything it will be virtually identical.

 

Does somebody **** in your cheerios every damn day?

 

2017 to get new 3.5L EB with 450 ft-lbs and 10 speed transmission.

https://media.ford.com/content/fordm...ter-boost.html

 

Very cool. I hope the tranny is stout, I want to move into a 2018.

 

Ford is touting the new 10-speed behind the updated 3.5 but no mention having it mated to the 5.0.

I can't imagine them not including this pairing, but wondered if that would be a way to entice buyers into going with the EB versus the V-8 for a year.

On sale, Fall of 2016. Any idea when they will start building these, late August maybe?

 

I think it is just a capacity constraint for now, having the 10 speed only available with one engine until they are ramped up for full speed production.

Either that or it's a tuning issue where they have the one engine tuned for the 10 speed (and the 10 speed tuned for one engine) and then the new tranny will be added to the other engines as tuning is completed and tested.

 

^^^^^^My thoughts too

 

The article didn't say the 10 speed would only be paired with the new 3.5 EB, just that they would be paired together. Production on the new transmissions is supposed to begin in June so I would think there should be enough to be offered across the spectrum.

 

That article did not mention it, but I saw another that did.

But, you are correct, it remains to be seen.