Looking great in Pawnee Tan and either Dark Shadow Blue or Twilight Blue, this 1990 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat SuperCab is even more interesting having a five-speed manual and being in time-capsule condition. This is a rear-wheel drive truck, something we rarely see anymore for personal trucks, at least in snow country. This example is posted here on craigslist in Orange, California and the seller is asking $12,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to numskal for the tip!
Ford’s eighth-generation F-Series pickups were made from 1986 until the end of 1991 and they were a nice transition from the “square” seventh-gen trucks and the more rounded ninth-generation trucks. I think it’s a nice compromise, I was never a fan of the tenth-gen design for some reason, it was a bit too round for me, but up to a ninth-generation F-Series is what I’d want in a “vintage” pickup.
As a craigslist ad, the photos are on the small side but the seller provides a good variety of views compared to most listings. I don’t really see a glaring flaw on the exterior of this truck, it looks as if it has led a very pampered life. A rear-wheel drive pickup can be a handful if a person lives in an area that gets snow in the winter months, but that’s pretty obvious. Loading the box/bed with sandbags and putting snow tires on the back is how the Gilbys handled it with our rear-drive F-250.
The Chestnut interior is as much of a time capsule as the exterior is, it looks almost like new inside. I expected to see bucket seats (optional “Captain’s Chairs”) in this truck with an armrest and storage between the seats, but this one has a split front bench and it looks perfect, as does the rear vinyl sent in the SuperCab portion. It’s hard to believe this truck has 94,752 miles on it. The XLT Lariat trim level gives color-matching carpet and matching carpet on the bottoms of the door cards/panels, along with power windows and power locks on the SuperCab and crew cab versions.
There appears to be a hint of surface rust under the hood, and yes, I noticed the red hoses… but to go along with the uniqueness of having a five-speed manual, this truck has Ford’s fuel-injected 300-cu.in. inline-six. This one would have had 150 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque when new and it sends power through that manual to the rear wheels only in this truck. Have any of you owned an eighth-generation F-150 SuperCab?
Interesting truck in excellent shape. The Lariat trim sure dressed them up, and the blue/tan theme is similar to the Eddie Bauer offerings of the day. But it is oddly coupled with the base powertrain, with the ancient (and bulletproof) 300 straight six and manual transmission. The different ways to package a vehicle at this time could result in unique combinations.
💯 accurate Bob… Ford really offered most all the options even on XL trim, for a real custom rig.
I learned to drive a 5 speed in a truck very similar to this one. I’m way out of practice these days but I’d love to bring this one home, if I only had a place to keep it. Living in Wisconsin, it would probably hibernate in the winter!
I had a 1990 F150, regular cab, long box 4×4. 302 auto, WORST truck I ever owned. 3 motors and 2 transmissions in less than 2 years, I sold that pos and bought a Tundra.
I had a 93 f150 with the 5spd and 300 6 cylinder and I loved that truck If it hadn’t been for NY winter salt eating it up I’d probably still be driving it.
Nice truck with a bulletproof drivetrain.
If not so far away I would definitely be looking at it. I had a 95 exactly the same and yes wish I still had it. Truck has what you need to the job done. Put studded snow tires on mine for the winter and it did just fine. Good luck to buyer and seller.
I cant believe that is the original paint, mine peeled off in 3 years on the hood, roof and tops on the bed. Ford had to repaint it under warranty but only the blue above the tan parts. That powertrain is an odd combo for a loaded model truck, the 5.0 and auto was the most common, that 6/stick was more of a commercial truck setup painted white.
I work at a FLM back in the day. Ford was giving these away compared to the V8 auto. Difference was about $1200 as I recall. We, the salesmen, thought the GM went nuts when 15 of these showed up at our small dealership in MN. Our market was MW farmers who put new pickups in operating loans as “Farm Transportation and towing vehicle”. The price difference made the deals, we sold every one of them in 5 months. Never questioned the GM’s judgement again.
The Mazda 5 speed in my 90 F100 4×4 self destructed towing a car to a car show leaving to with only 4th and reverse. I managed to limp to the show using 4th and the lo/hi of the transfer case. I learned later that the Mazda 5 speed will do that if it gets low on fluid (for which there is no dip stick to check the level). It was a Good truck before that, even bringing a Daimler limo back from the South of Florida to Arkansas on a trailer. Still have it, but have not found another Mazda 5 for it. Any new owner should monitor the trans level carefully.
This is set up perfectly for me: 300 six, 5 speed and an extended cab! Love it!
My brother had a black 1991 XLT Lariat 4×4(reg. cab/6.75′ bed) with this EFI six, 5-speed, and the same aluminum wheels. He had it from new until 1994 when a growing family forced a change to a minivan. I got to drive it a few times. Very long clutch pedal travel, but a fun truck to carry around his quad in. He found out the hard way how easy it is for a miscreant to steal the tailgate. Sharp truck here. The classic Ford 300 six will last forever.
Great find. Spic and span inside and out. Would make for a nice daily. Park it in the salt season and have it for years.
The seller lowered their asking price to $11,500!