Ford L-Series Trucks

Ford L-Series trucks was a long running series of heavy-duty trucks built by Ford Motor Company between 1970 and 1998. It was distinctively styled with a bold hexagonal grille at its introduction. It was built in a new plant which was called the Kentucky Truck Plant, but its location near Louisville, Kentucky gave rise to the popular name of Ford Louisville line trucks, as well as the "Louisville Plant" [ [http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1970-1979-ford-trucks1.htm 1970 Ford Trucks, by Auto Editors of Consumer Guide] ]

These heavy-duty Ford trucks replaced the short conventional N-Series, along with the heavy-duty F-Series trucks, and related tandem-axle T-Series. The Louisville Line encompassed a wide range of models serving the medium-, heavy-, and extra-heavy-duty truck ranks. The line would become one of the most popular series of trucks Ford ever produced. [ [http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1970-1979-ford-trucks1.htm 1970 Ford Trucks, by Auto Editors of Consumer Guide] ]

Designations

The designation L Series is for the base truck. Designations for variants are listed below:

*LT=Tandem Axle.
*LN=Short Nose (compact hood) Same WB as LS except shorter hood.
*LNT=Short Nose Tandem Axle
*LS=Set Back Front Axle. Shorter WB than L series.
*LTS=Setback Front Axle with Tandem Rear Axles.
*LTL=Tractor-Trailer. Long hood.
*Aeromax=Aerodynamic version of the L-Series.

Styling

Ford L-Series truck styling would influence other Fords. In 1972 the Ford Torino and Ranchero were redesigned with a hexagonal grille that resembled the L-Series. In 1974, the W-Series Cab-Over-Engine trucks would inherit chrome L-Series grilles. The 1978 Ford F-100 pickup would also incorporate a hexagonal themed grille. In 1996, The Louisville Line was redesigned with a sloped windshield and rounded front contours, and had lost the hexagonal front profile. [ [http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1990-1999-ford-trucks7.htm 1996 Ford Trucks] ] No models with set-back axles would be made after 1996 either.

LTL-9000

In 1976 Ford added the LTL-9000, a truck marketed toward cross-country truck drivers. Two years later, the LTL-9000 would have its own grille and headlight arrangement. The same year Ford introduced the CLT-Cabovers which had identical grilles with the LTL-9000.

Aeromax

In 1988, the basic L-Series truck design was repackaged into the AeroMax. This truck introduced new innovations in class-8 aerodynamics. A setback front axle made possible swept-back front fenders and a smoother form-fitting front bumper. It also had wraparound headlights, tank skirts and an available "Aero Bullet" sleeper unit. [ [http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1990-1999-ford-trucks7.htm 1996 Ford Trucks] ] The first models were known as the Aeromax 120, and in 1996, they were accompanied by the Aeromax 9500.

The year-span of these newer versions would be short-lived, though. In the late-1990's Ford sold its entire heavy-duty truck division to Freightliner. The trucks were rebadged as Sterling, a former division of White Motor Company.

Resources

*American Truck & Bus Spotter's Guide: 1920-1985, by Tad Burness.
*Ford Trucks Since 1905, by James K. Wagner.
*Ford Heavy Duty Trucks 1948-1998, by Paul G. McLaughlin.
*Ford Truck Chronicles: by the Auto Editors of Consumers Guide.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/ford.htm Hank's Truck Pictures(Ford)]