Having traveled only around 800 miles a year over the last 37 years, this 1986 Ford F-150 short-bed pickup has a mere 29,641 miles on it, which is incredible over such a long period of time. Some of us drive that much every single year. The seller has this time capsule listed here on eBay in Ocoee, Florida, there is no reserve, and the current bid price is $6,201.
The seventh-generation F-Series was made for the US market from 1979 (for the 1980 model year) until 1986. This truck looks similar to a first-gen Ranger pickup, I really like this generation for its blocky design. The XL models were the middle child, above the standard pickups and XLT Lariat models. The seller has this listed as an XL, but I’m thinking that it may be a standard/base model, any thoughts? As we all know, I’m not a Ford expert.
It should have bright trim around the rear window, and some other features that an XL should have, but this truck doesn’t appear to have. Although, it does have trim around the wheel moldings. Whatever it is, the condition is impossible to argue with. The seller has included many photos, too, which is always a bonus. Even underside photos.
If this would have been an XL trim level, there should have been woodgrain on the instrument panel. You can see that this one has a four-speed manual transmission and an aftermarket stereo, and the seat appears to have been recovered at some point. Not that it’s a bad thing, it’s just an observation. The bed looks great and it appears to have a bedliner material on it. The seller gives us almost no information on this truck other than the specs, it’s mainly just their usual boilerplate info about muscle cars that they sell.
The engine is Ford’s 300-cu.in. six-cylinder, which would have had 115 horsepower when new. The seller does say that it runs and drives “excellent”, so it’s not true that they give us no information. Hagerty is at $9,700 for a #3 good truck and it jumps to $21,300 for a #2 excellent truck. How much would you pay for this one?
I agree with Scotty’s analysis. Looks like a nice truck. I like it for its simplicity.
300 straight six with a 4-speed, about as old school (and durable) as you could ever want. Would be something fun to have, just to putter around in.
I like this…checkout behind the seat. Someone was handy…and loved this one. No tachometer ordered, because he knew when to shift by ear…
You could change the wheels and tires, or just paint the rims white to make it a little more ‘cheery’. Home Depot? Sure -but more likely this one went to the local owned Hardware Hank…
Use and enjoy it!
I had one of these back in 1988. Total POS. Mind you, I had great Ford pickups before and after that truck, and currently still drive my awesome 2003 150 I bought new. It now has 184K miles on the clock and looks/runs/drives like a new truck, after 2 decades of construction work.
But the whole clutch master cylinder on that ’86 w/OD was terrible. I blew out so many of those cylinders, and then one day I got so frustrated (again) trying to put the truck in reverse, I broke off the effin’ shifter. Nobody could adjust that damn clutch cylinder.
From there I went through a series of nice used dentsides, and loved every one of those trucks. I am totally done with manual transmissions. Ancient technology.
The caved in oil pan is a nice option .
Never let the teenaged ” mechanic” jack up your truck!
Check out the caved in oil pan option .
Tiny clutch disc plan on replacing as regular maintenance.
One of my fellow inmates here at the projects( it’s really not so bad) has a truck like this. If I told her it was worth $6 grand, she’d plotz. It’s a 6 and automatic, but no P/S and the truck just sits. She’s afraid to drive it because of the steering. She is a tiny thing and literally can’t turn the steering wheel. Something to consider when stuff comes up without P/S. This is a great find, just a basic truck, oh how did we ever manage?
These are handsome trucks in a great size. Too bad they didn’t have the running gear with electronic fuel injection and an improved clutch master cylinder from 1987 and on. I had an ’87 with a drive train like this ’86 that I drove for 11 years without clutch trouble. It was very low-geared as I imagine this one is.
Put this color on any vehicle and it looks cheap
Dad had one of these. A rotted out Short bed, 4 speed, 6 banger with a one barrel carb and zero options. Bought it off a “farmer” who he felt sorry for. Biggest POS we ever had. And we are/were Fordophiles. I took it a few towns over to pick up a yard of top soil. The place was at the bottom of a steep hill. When the loader dropped the soil, I about hit my head on the headliner. She was a saggin’! Then, burned the clutch to a crispy crunch getting up that grade. Good times!
Looks like a New South Wales police truck they had a cage on top of the bed with a black vinyl cover with a 351 C6 trans twin fuel tanks and police signage they had hundred of them, I worked on them when I worked in a Ford dealership in Sydney Australia
Listing Ended.When I went to the original listing,
it shows no bids.How do you find out what it sold for,
or what the high bid was?
That used to show up.
I learned how to drive stick in a truck just like this, same color also. Mine was bare bones, manual steering, manual brakes but a good vehicle to learn on. I do remember the tranny linkage was a pretty flimsy affair. Good memories. I definitely would enjoy owning this one GLWTA
The master cylinder and slave cylinder for the clutch could be thrown out and install mechanical linkage from the early 60’s and trouble would be gone. I drove my 1976 Ford F150 super cab with 300 6 cylinder over 16 years and nearly one million miles. I still have the engine.
76/86 Apple/Onions
the rubber on the pedals is worn through at spots
maybe 129,641 is correct
I had a 86′ F150 XLT with 300cid, 4-spd, AC, PS, PB, tilt, and cruise control and AM/FM radio. I added a sliding rear window and a camper top. The best F150 I ever owned. I sold it with 152K miles on it. I upgraded to a F250 after purchasing a travel trailer. I never had a problem with the F150. The only thing I replaced was the front brake calipers and headlights. On the last long-distance trip, I averaged 22mpg. I did put helper springs on the rear to haul heavy loads. When I sold it, people thought it was a Bronco. I also wonder why the listing ended like it did. Maybe someone local saw it and knew it was going to be a great truck!
I have been watching a lot of reviews about the base model Maverick hybrid (my wife has one ordered) and its amusing to see the reviewers complain about how “base” the entry level car is. This is a vehicle with air conditioning, power windows, and Blu Tooth connectivity mind you.
Many complain about having to twist an old fashioned key to start it. When did we become such princesses?
A vehicle like this old F-150 would put these reviewers onto the fainting couch with a severe case of the vapors.
My daily driver is a 1983 SAAB 900 and my truck is a 2002 Silverado with, gasp, manual roll up windows!
I’m restoring a 1983 Ford F150. This truck has three on the tree, crank windows, no door locks, no tilt steering wheel and gasp, no air conditioning and hand crank windows. My god how is anyone expected to buy this truck when I’m finished? It will come with two keys!!!!!