1995 Ford L-Series Truck
The Ford Louisville, aka the Ford L-series, is a category of heavy-duty trucks marketed by Ford in 1970 and were produced till 1998. It is one of the most popular series of trucks produced by this automobile company. This article will focus on the 1995 Ford L-Series Truck
Ford produced its L-series trucks in the Kentucky truck plant near Louisville, giving it the nickname “Louisville”.
History of the Ford L-series Truck:
Ford’s 1963 N-series super duty truck supplemented the Super duty models of the F series. Ford realized the need of the time and modernized and streamlined its heavy truck line by the 1960s. In 1961, it came up with a larger heavy-duty F series and a separate model line that was featured alongside the all-new H-series line hauler. After around half a decade, the new W series replaced the H series. Ford started working on an all-new truck range destined to be the L-series with heavier-duty chassis, larger cab, front-hinged hood, and improved serviceability.
The first-generation Ford L series:
The first L-series Ford truck was introduced in four size ranges, two grille styles, and hood lengths with a single rear axle. A wide range of diesel and gasoline engines could power it. Just the next year, the setback front axle configuration was introduced by Ford, and the L series trucks saw major changes for the rest of the decade.
The L-9000 was introduced in 1976 and designed as a truck for long-haul drivers. The L-9000, the competitor to Kenworth W900, GMC general, and Mac superliner, was fitted with a set-forward front axle and a longer hood. This version accommodated larger powertrains and hence produced more power to haul larger weights. These 1976 models got their own grille and headlight styling in 1981.
L-series didn’t see a lot of revisions throughout its production. Many Ford vehicles instilled its elements of design to enhance their functionality. The W series of 1974 received a wider grille similar to the L series.
The Ford blue Oval became significant for the 1984 L series model. This was the last time the oval was seen on these Ford trucks. Ford changed its grille design to horizontal Chrome bars with a centered Ford blue Oval in 1988. The rectangular headlights were a standard feature of the 1991 thru the 1995 Ford L-series trucks and beyond.
Ford truck repair manuals are available for each truck that helps the owner fix any issue that arises.
Second-generation L-series trucks:
The Ford heavy-duty trucks were redesigned in 1996 to launch the second-generation L-series exclusively for class 8 weight ranges. Chassis weight got a boost with more front axles, single rear axles, and tandem rear axle capacity. Two different air suspensions were available on tandems, along with a walking beam type.
Aeromax and Louisville got redesigned with a wider cab and sloping windshield. The composite headlights were not available anymore, and the hood became much sloppier. The company enhanced its ergonomics as both Aeromax and Louisville borrowed interior controls from other forward lineups. Grille bars got redesigned with extended frame bumpers.
Ford split the heavy truck line into aerodynamic semi-tractors and vocational trucks. The popularity of Louisville in the latter case made Ford drop the L-series name and adopt the Louisville nameplate officially.
The second-generation L-series trucks didn’t offer diesel or gasoline engines like their predecessors. All its engines are inline 6 turbocharged diesels.
End of the Ford L-series era:
In 1996, Ford was done with the sales of its heavy truck operations and sold the rights and production tools of this series to the Freightliner. Ford was set to end the production of Louisville and Aeromax in 1998, and they re-entered the production as sterling trucks for the next few years.
Key features of the Ford L-series Trucks:
The new 1995 Ford L-Series line is considered the truck line with big trucks and better ideas supporting more road time and less downtime. Over 650 models came under this nameplate to handle virtually all big trucking jobs.
It is a broad line of mediums, heavies, and extra heavies in four short and long conventional configurations. This new line represents the most comprehensive advancement ever made in any truck line! Never before has any big truck maker made an extensive product change. It has been rare that any truck maker applies intensive and better ideas to reduce downtime and increase road time. This line of trucks set new standards for maintenance ease, reliability, choice of job-matching tools, and driver comfort.
It’s built with new techniques that allow excellent matching of a conventional type of truck to your job.
It features cross-flow radiators, under-hood air cleaners, a removable air pack, fast-tracing color-coded air tubing, junction blocks, and fuse panels, along with true truck-type power steering to allow better driving comfort and convenience.