In a significant model change, the tenth generation was developed only for the F-150 (and later a light-duty F-250), with the ninth-generation F-250 and F-350 replaced by the all-new Ford Super Duty variant of the F-Series for 1999.

The end result by Bob Aikins reached in November 1992 and frozen for production in February 1993, took the aero styling further with a rounded nose on the new F-Series.

[11] To build anticipation for the redesigned truck, the 1997 model was released on January 25, 1996[12] with the first ad campaigns airing during Super Bowl XXX.

The high-performance trim "Lightning" was introduced in March 1999, and Harley-Davidson and King Ranch editions were also produced for the 2000 and 2001 model years, respectively.

It featured the 5.4L Triton V8 and color-matched bumpers and mirror housings, and was available in regular cab and SuperCab in four colors: white, red, black, and silver.

In 2002, an FX4 model was introduced, which came with skid plates, a carbon steel frame, Rancho shock absorbers, and unique 17" aluminum wheels, along with more standard features that were optional on XLT.

The STX package featured color-keyed front/rear bumpers along with clear lens headlights and integrated round fog lamps.

Ford's sales dropped, however, for the final years of this generation as the redesigned Dodge Ram and refreshed Chevrolet Silverado were released.

The new V8s were marketed under the "Triton" name and mark the first use of Ford's Modular single overhead cam (SOHC) engines in the F-Series pickups.

Engines: This generation of F-150 received two five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,[19] in direct contrast to the "Poor" rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the frontal offset test,[20] Ford has found that the cruise control system in many of its trucks could catch fire because the switch system could corrode over time, overheat, and ignite.

During the previous two years, Ford had recalled 5.8 million vehicles in because of the defective cruise control systems in trucks, SUVs, and vans.

To bridge the gap between the F-150 and the heavier-duty pickups, a PN96 version of the F-250 light-duty was introduced nearly a year later (though also a 1997 model), slotted between the F-150 and the F-250HD of the previous-generation chassis.

As with its 1993–1995 predecessor, the Lightning was based on the F-150; all versions were produced with a regular cab, rear-wheel drive, and a 6+1⁄2-foot (2,000 mm) bed length.

While the first-generation Lightning chassis was a hybrid of the F-150 and F-250, to save weight and lower its cost, the second-generation adopted the stock F-150 frame.

[citation needed] Following the 2001 drivetrain revisions, Car and Driver magazine tested a Lightning, accelerating from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.2 seconds.

To match the simulated wood design of the pickup bed, Lincoln offered black as the only body color for the Blackwood.