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The Features of the 1986 Ford F150
Due to the excitement and attention that the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable caused, Ford put the F150 on autopilot. Sales had been excellent for a couple of years and had lined Ford’s coffers with a lot of profits. Ford didn’t expect to duplicate that success, but it didn’t balk at the $3.3 billion the company did during the year either.
Overview
Since Ford had installed electronic fuel injection on all their models, truck owners were getting used to a computer-controlled truck. Ford did continue to offer a naturally aspirated high-performance 5.8L V8, but the standard 4.9L inline-six and the popular 5.0L were EFI engines.
Ford continued to use the Lariat name it had resurrected the year before by pairing it with XLT as the top trim. The trim lines were Standard, XL, and XLT Lariat.
The 150 Ford truck came in Regular Cab and SuperCab versions, either as a Styleside or Flareside. Several accessories continued to be available: cruise control, air conditioning, a digital clock, Western mirrors, and an AM/FM stereo with a cassette player.
While most F150s were single-cab trucks, the SuperCab was a popular choice by many clients with its additional seating in the rear. The seating arrangement included a bench seat that could be folded down for storage or inward-facing jump seats. The SC also gave customers a choice of Captain’s Chairs with a deep center console. Many XLT Lariat owners paid extra money for the unique seating.
Exterior
The body of the F-Series stayed the same in 1986 (Ford knew that the eighth generation was about to hit the market).
The F150 continued to be offered as a “Styleside” with its straight sides extending along the truck’s profile. The “Flareside” with extended rear fenders gave customers a sporty look, similar to the Free-Wheelin’ packages of the seventies.
The straight-lined Styleside beds were 6 ¾ ‘ short or 8’ long beds. Ford offered three different payload packages, each with higher-density rear springs to handle the additional weight.
For 1986, eleven color choices were included (Colonial White replaced Wimbledon White which had been part of the Ford color lineup for decades). Medium Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Dark Spruce Metallic, Light Desert Tan, Dark Canyon Red, Dark Shadow Blue Metallic, Desert Tan Metallic, Bright Canyon Red, and Bright Regatta Blue Metallic were other choices. The company still offered two-tone schemes.
Engine
As mentioned, Ford’s most significant change for the 1986 model was the addition of electronic fuel injection for the 5.0L V8. Early reviews of the computer-controlled engine were mixed. Owners reported rough riding or faulty circuits controlling the fuel pump and black smoke pouring out of their exhaust. Despite the issues, Ford remained committed to the EFI engines.
For truck owners who wanted a naturally aspirated engine, Ford stuck with the 5.8L HO. The engine had a 4bbl carburetor, an enlarged air filter, and a specially designed low-pressure exhaust.
The 4.9L 300 cu inline-six was the standard engine, although not many customers opted for it. Most customers were put off by the lack of towing power the smaller engine had.
Transmission
The 3-spd manual was standard for Regular Cab trucks and was one of three powertrain options. In contrast, the 4-speed manual with overdrive was standard for SuperCabs and four-wheel models. An automatic with overdrive and SelectShift automatic were the most popular choices since the days of manual transmissions, and clutches were fading quickly.
Ford used the Borg-Warner 1345 Series 2-speed transfer case for four-wheel drive models, which it had used for several years, with a low range of 2.74:1. Manual locking hubs were standard, but automatic locking hubs were an option.
Suspension
Ford continued to use the Twin I-beam independent front suspension for 4 x 2 models, while it offered a Twin-beam suspension for 4x4 units.
Interior and Trim Lines
Ford had returned the Lariat trim level to the lineup in 1985, pairing it again with the XLT trim. Power steering and brakes were standard.
The Standard trim offered a durable vinyl bench seat with black rubber floor mats and a black steering wheel. While the base trim offered the basics, it came with an AM radio (although Ford allowed owners to receive a credit if they wanted it pulled). Dubbed the “Standard” truck, Ford made more of these than any other model, and most were 4 x 2 Styleside Regular Cabs.
The XL trim offered a cloth/vinyl bench seat. Ford replaced their “buckle up” seat belt warning with a more pleasing chime than the annoying buzzing noise it had previously had. Dome lights were activated by switches in either door, and aluminum scuff plates were installed at the base of the door entrance. There were some wood grain appliques thrown on the dash just to distinguish it from the Standard. Color-keyed headliners and floor mats were also included.
The XLT Lariat was the height of luxury with color-coordinated cloth seats. The high-pile carpeting looked terrific until the first time it got dirty. The soft-wrapped steering wheel with wood-tone inserts accented the heavy use of wood-tone on the dash. While an AM/FM radio was standard, owners could opt for the cassette player. The interior look refined and luxurious. The XLT Lariat interior felt more like a high-quality sedan than a truck.
What Are The Specs For The 1986 Ford F 150?
What Is a 1986 Ford F150 Worth Today?
According to Hagerty, the price of a 1986 F150 in good condition is $9,900, depending on the options. For a review of free listings of 1986 F-Series trucks and other classic cars for sale, see classiccars.com
