What is it about the old F-150 to which you refer?
For the old F-150 and relatives, in a frontal accident with either a stationary or equivalent-sized object the cab basically collapses on the occupants and the driver's door opens. Anything about 30mph and up will have you in the hospital or dead. Many much smaller cars are actually far safer for this type of accident.
IIRC, the recent redesign on the F-150 fixed this problem.