This box-checker is a 1989 Ford F-250 XLT Lariat 4×4 with a 460 V8 and a 5-speed manual transmission. The only thing I could think of that might make it better would be a diesel, but that’s not much to complain about in the grand scheme of things. The seller has it posted here on craigslist in San Marcos, California, and they’re asking $15,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Barney for the tip!
I’d be more apt to name a seventh-generation F-series as a “bricknose”, as they’re much squarer than this eight-gen truck is. Ford fans named the earlier one “bullnose”, even though this one is much more rounded, like a nose, so maybe they weren’t thinking ahead when they used the bullnose moniker for the previous trucks. In any case, the eight-generation F-Series pickups were made from 1986 through 1991 here, and they were the first to have composite headlights. That gave them a much more modern look.
This 3/4-ton truck has a few dings and dents to work out if a person cares about having a perfect example. We don’t get to see inside the box, unfortunately, but I’m hoping it looks as nice as a California truck with fewer than 100,000 miles should look. Unless they were carrying bricks, that is. The seller has included a receipt showing the tires are four years old, so that’s good news. They’ve also included two brain-melting receipts showing so much work that it gives me the shivers. Please check out the listing to see everything that’s been done to this truck.
Hey, is that a five-speed manual?! You already know it is, unless someone edited the title of this article, which has happened, but I hope not. The interior looks great, and this is an XLT Lariat in what I believe Ford referred to as the “Combination Tu-Tone” paint scheme, with Bright Regatta Blue and Colonial White. It has a nice, matching Crystal Blue fabric seating environment inside and it looks great from what I can see. I love this truck, it really looks nice, and that list of the work that’s been done is crazy.
This isn’t a 300 straight-six, no, it’s Ford’s 460-cu.in. OHV V8, which by this time had 230 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque when new. Pushing through a transfer case and five-speed manual, it sends power to all four wheels as needed. They say this is a one-owner truck, and that’s even more interesting. Hagerty is at $18,500 for a #3 good-condition truck, and the seller’s asking price of $15,000 seems like a deal with almost $7,000 worth of work having been done. Any thoughts on this “bricknose”?
I know more knowledgeable folks are going to reply. But I have had the opportunity to drive a couple 3/4 1 tons equippped with the 460 and a 5 speed. And wow, let me tell you what…… These are very powerful and very responsive, and you can pull a barn down with one of these by lunch!!! Not sure how the 460 was with the C6, but that 5 speed was great, nice shifting transmission too especially for a truck transmission. This one looks very, very solid and if it checks out in person the way it does in the photos, you’re getting quite a truck. Great find here Barney, and great write up too Scotty. It’s in terrific condition and they took great care of it physically and mechanically as well. That’s what you want.
Sorry was supposed to say 3/4 AND 1 TONS. Where’s that desperately needed cup of coffee???
I thought that perhaps you were referring to a 1 ton that had lost a wheel and tire while you were driving it. Thanks for clearing that up…
Lack of caffeine unfortunately effects my communication abilities, especially when typing.
Drove one exactly like this a few times but 3spd auto Dave. Drove great. Felt like a rancher 🐎 🐄. Pretty much my dream truck, but prefer the 1 ton chasis. Love it.
Funny how this was the only option back then, if you needed something haul a camper or pick up a load of gravel. Today, this thing couldn’t hold a candle to an F-150, let alone a F-350. I bet this thing would get 8-9 mpg………..downhill………with a good tail wind.
Perhaps, but try to diagnose and repair a fuel issue on the roadside out in the middle of almost any western state without cell service for that new Ford truck sometime..
I own one. Had it since 2001. Reliable as gravity, & 14MPG on the highway.
Good write-up Scotty on a clean, well-maintained, desirable truck.
Another good one, Scotty. Great drivetrain combo, looks like locking hubs, decently appointed without going overboard, cared for, someone’s gonna get a nice truck that can do real work and buy it without breaking the bank.
I always wondered how these trucks got the nicknames they did….Bricknose,Bullnose….etc. Perhaps the more knowledgeable folks would care to enlighten me?
I’ll take a shot. Bullnose is probably due to the non flush headlights of the 80-86 looking a bit like the nostrils of a bull. 87 to 92 got flush headlights but the whole front end is quite blunt or brick like.
So I suppose the 93 thru 96’s should be called slick nose. ;)
I thought they were OBS for Old Body Style . . .
I still have a 91 F350 crew cab 4×4 w/a 7.3 IDI and an E4OD . . . also a 92 regular cab 2wd w/the same drivetrain. Someday I hope to swap-in the ZF 5-speed & t-case from my rusty 88 F350 crew-cab 4×4 to the 91.
That cab is crooked.
Ok, having owned one of these and being a Ford service manager at the time these came out. Here are a few tid-bits of info about these trucks. (No particular order)
#1 If I bought this truck, the very first thing that I would do is to check if the original exhaust system is present. The exhaust necks down to an unbreakable small size at the muffler. The restriction causes the converter (not cheap) to overheat AND there is considerable power lost (and possibly fuel economy) due to this design. #2 The specified factory oil filter is the same as the 5.0 HO engine. It has a higher bypass valve meaning filtering oil at a higher rpm. (Almost all oil filters stop filtering oil after about 500rpm of idle speed) Also this filter has a heavier/thicker canister to resist bulging/splitting. I never saw one do that. But the higher “blowoff” valve means longer/better filtering. (Original Motorcraft number FL1HP which I think is now obsolete) Just a note to use a quality oil filter like a Motorcraft or Wix. (Absolutely not a Fram)
#3 Not unusual to see the timing cover leak coolant at this age. If the cooling system has not been maintained as per factory specs. Chances of just replacing the gasket to fix the problem is very remote. Plan on replacing the the timing cover.
#4 If you are removing the timing cover also go ahead and replace the timing gear set. Chances are the there is not enough wear to warrant this. BUT, the camshaft is the original to a 1969 429 and with an older cam gear or one of the cam gears with multiple keyways can help to wake this engine up a little because the original late model camshaft is 8 degrees retarded for emissions purposes. Please note that I said wake it up a little, because this camshaft is still very mild.
In summation of all of this information. The 8-10 might stock is about in the correct range regardless of use. By using a correct size exhaust after the cat converter you will pick up noticeably better drivability and about 1mpg. Add this to advancing the camshaft back to “0”degees and again pickup better drivability and another 1 to 1.5 mpg. So at this point you might be looking at a max of 14 mag if driven easy. Hard driving will take you back to 8 to 10 mpg. However you may not have to push as hard because of the modifications. One other note, I had a customer install a higher horsepower camshaft. (RV cam?) With all the other modifications. It really woke up the engine. (As he put it “VERY fun to drive!) And it did not adversely effect his fuel economy. (Running empty) It helped his fuel economy when pulling his sizeable trailer because he never really had to “lean into” the throttle. These engines are bullet proof if maintained. I have seen many over 500k. The transmission is also very durable (heavy duty ZF) If in the market, I would not hesitate to jump on this vehicle. (But my 8.1 gas GMC with the Allison transmission works just fine.)
Sorry for the rambling, I just thought I would add some info for anyone contemplating this purchase.
A other note. With the same body style F150 we had a customer complaining about his fuel economy. In talking to the Ford engineer he asked if it had a bug deflector. I mentioned that it did, but it was one of the aerodynamic ones, not one of the flat ones. He said to remove it after we had done some very careful mileage tests. He mentioned that some reduced the mileage as much as 5 mpg. I was very skeptical but did as he requested I do. The result was a 3.5 mpg improvement without the bug deflector! Even with this looking like a square front-end with rounded corners. Ford did spend some time in the wind tunnel with this cab design.
I’ve told this story before, but… I had a customer who was a Battalion Chief in a large fire department. He got pulled over for having a red bug deflector on his private pickup. The officer explained that, depending upon the angle of the sun, he might confuse other drivers who would pull over, thinking he was an emergency vehicle. He wanted to say, “You know, I just bought a new fire apparatus with $10,000.00 worth of lights and sirens on it and, still, nobody moves over. Perhaps I should install a red bug deflector on it.” However, having had a couple of beers earlier in the day, he withheld his comment.
I currently have a 86 f250 2 wheel drive with 250k miles. Purchased it new and always maintained as recommended. Just refurbished the interior and waiting for the right time to get the outside painted. It still tow’s the 27′ 5th wheel and 18′ boat with no problem.
I currently have a 86 f250 2 wheel drive with 250k miles. Purchased it new and always maintained as recommended. Just refurbished the interior and waiting for the right time to get the outside painted. It still tow’s the 27′ 5th wheel and 18′ boat with no problem.
I currently have a 86 f250 2 wheel drive with 250k miles. Purchased it new and always maintained as recommended. Just refurbished the interior and waiting for the right time to get the outside painted. It still tow’s the 27′ 5th wheel and 18′ boat with no problem.
It also has the 460 5 speed and no catalytic converter.
It also has the 460 5 speed and no catalytic converter.