Early 97 build differences
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From: Pennsylvania
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Early 97 had the factory single pipe, side exit exhaust in front of the rear passenger side wheel too.
'97 models first hit the lots in May/June of 1995 where I live in Va(yes, 2 model years early, and you could buy either body style F150 for 2 years, 95/96 ,or 97).
'97 models first hit the lots in May/June of 1995 where I live in Va(yes, 2 model years early, and you could buy either body style F150 for 2 years, 95/96 ,or 97).
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From: Maysville KY
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I just looked in my book and see that 12/95 is supposed to be the first 97's released on the roads for sale. That is the oldest one I've ever ran into in warranty. I saw in Texas that even though the trucks are rated by Ford as 97's, they rate some as 95's, 96;s and 97, depending on production dates and date of delivery. I believe they have since changed their laws on that to keep up with manufacturers ratings. One guy I know for sure has a 1/96 F150 1997 and the title shows 96. Weird crap with licensing if you ask me.
97s all show right exhaust exit. 98 went to the long tailpipe.
97 early (6/96 or earlier) had the headlights as 1 bolt in piece. Header back panel needs to swap to use the newer slip in headlights. Outer grille shell is the same. There are interior differences in some electrical items, but mostly the 97-98 are the same. Electrical items don't swap well from 99 up models to the 97-98s in most cases, expecially interior-wise.
Whitey, your truck still looks great. Notice the Like button is missing? Hmm..
97s all show right exhaust exit. 98 went to the long tailpipe.
97 early (6/96 or earlier) had the headlights as 1 bolt in piece. Header back panel needs to swap to use the newer slip in headlights. Outer grille shell is the same. There are interior differences in some electrical items, but mostly the 97-98 are the same. Electrical items don't swap well from 99 up models to the 97-98s in most cases, expecially interior-wise.
Whitey, your truck still looks great. Notice the Like button is missing? Hmm..
Last edited by akdoggie; Aug 13, 2019 at 01:49 PM.
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I just looked in my book and see that 12/95 is supposed to be the first 97's released on the roads for sale. That is the oldest one I've ever ran into in warranty. I saw in Texas that even though the trucks are rated by Ford as 97's, they rate some as 95's, 96;s and 97, depending on production dates and date of delivery. I believe they have since changed their laws on that to keep up with manufacturers ratings. One guy I know for sure has a 1/96 F150 1997 and the title shows 96. Weird crap with licensing if you ask me.
97s all show right exhaust exit. 98 went to the long tailpipe.
97 early (6/96 or earlier) had the headlights as 1 bolt in piece. Header back panel needs to swap to use the newer slip in headlights. Outer grille shell is the same. There are interior differences in some electrical items, but mostly the 97-98 are the same. Electrical items don't swap well from 99 up models to the 97-98s in most cases, expecially interior-wise.
Whitey, your truck still looks great. Notice the Like button is missing? Hmm..
97s all show right exhaust exit. 98 went to the long tailpipe.
97 early (6/96 or earlier) had the headlights as 1 bolt in piece. Header back panel needs to swap to use the newer slip in headlights. Outer grille shell is the same. There are interior differences in some electrical items, but mostly the 97-98 are the same. Electrical items don't swap well from 99 up models to the 97-98s in most cases, expecially interior-wise.
Whitey, your truck still looks great. Notice the Like button is missing? Hmm..
In June of 1995, I prepped 2 new 1997 model F150 extended cab, 4wd, short beds(one was a stepside), both were 4.6
The 5.4 was not available in the F150 until the actual year of 97 or 98.
And the side exhaust is always a dead giveaway that it's a 97
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 239
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From: Pennsylvania
I just looked in my book and see that 12/95 is supposed to be the first 97's released on the roads for sale. That is the oldest one I've ever ran into in warranty. I saw in Texas that even though the trucks are rated by Ford as 97's, they rate some as 95's, 96;s and 97, depending on production dates and date of delivery. I believe they have since changed their laws on that to keep up with manufacturers ratings. One guy I know for sure has a 1/96 F150 1997 and the title shows 96. Weird crap with licensing if you ask me.
97s all show right exhaust exit. 98 went to the long tailpipe.
97 early (6/96 or earlier) had the headlights as 1 bolt in piece. Header back panel needs to swap to use the newer slip in headlights. Outer grille shell is the same. There are interior differences in some electrical items, but mostly the 97-98 are the same. Electrical items don't swap well from 99 up models to the 97-98s in most cases, expecially interior-wise.
Whitey, your truck still looks great. Notice the Like button is missing? Hmm..
97s all show right exhaust exit. 98 went to the long tailpipe.
97 early (6/96 or earlier) had the headlights as 1 bolt in piece. Header back panel needs to swap to use the newer slip in headlights. Outer grille shell is the same. There are interior differences in some electrical items, but mostly the 97-98 are the same. Electrical items don't swap well from 99 up models to the 97-98s in most cases, expecially interior-wise.
Whitey, your truck still looks great. Notice the Like button is missing? Hmm..
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 239
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From: Pennsylvania
I worked as a Ford tech at the local dealer for a year, in 95 and 96.
In June of 1995, I prepped 2 new 1997 model F150 extended cab, 4wd, short beds(one was a stepside), both were 4.6
The 5.4 was not available in the F150 until the actual year of 97 or 98.
And the side exhaust is always a dead giveaway that it's a 97
In June of 1995, I prepped 2 new 1997 model F150 extended cab, 4wd, short beds(one was a stepside), both were 4.6
The 5.4 was not available in the F150 until the actual year of 97 or 98.
And the side exhaust is always a dead giveaway that it's a 97