1987 Ford F150 XL 4.9

Summary:

Awesome

Faults:

Timing gear busted on the 4.9 and stopped up the oil pump.

General Comments:

Very reliable. Will pull anything I came up against. A lot of low end torque. This is my first 4.9 with a t18 transmission; it has unbelievable pulling power with 2.5 tons of crush and run on it. I never even knew it was in the bed til it was time to slow down.

Very happy with the truck. I purchased it off a farmer for 600.00; it has a heavy duty tow hitch and electric brakes setup.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st October, 2019

3rd Nov 2019, 03:17

Timing gear failure is rare on these.

1987 Ford F150 XLT Lariat 5.0L 302 V8

Faults:

A/C compressor was out when I first bought it, but it was a quick and cheap fix.

General Comments:

Unfortunately its gas mileage is around 14/18.

The truck has enough power for anything I'm doing with it; anything from towing a boat, to hauling tailgating gear back and forth.

The XLT Lariat has an 8ft. bed, which gives me enough room to haul just about anything.

The bench seat is extremely comfortable; almost like sitting on a couch.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd February, 2013

1987 Ford F150 XL 4.9

Summary:

Always liked Fords

Faults:

2 tires needed replacing.

Gauges are inaccurate or not working at all.

Front tank inoperable.

Steering issue; seems to sometimes want to steer where you're not aiming.

Repaired A/C rear main leak.

General Comments:

This truck, all in all, is pretty durable. It's got issues, but it's 25 years old.

The inline six is bullet proof. I swear by these engines.

Had a brand new F250 that got 11 MPG. Needed something better on gas, and did not like Ford's V6s, so this is what I got.

One time it would not start due to a ground issue, but other than that, it's been a very reliable vehicle.

Has a steering issue, where once in a while it wants to go where you're not steering. Did a front end alignment on it, which improved it, but did not eliminate it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th October, 2012

6th Oct 2012, 17:15

The steering problem sounds like it could be a very serious safety issue. Why on earth are you still driving this vehicle?

1987 Ford F150 4.9L 300

Summary:

Reliable as long as there's gas in the tank

Faults:

The only problems with my truck is the fuel gauge, but since I have 2 tanks, it's not an issue.

One day it didn't start because of the battery terminals.

Seats are starting to wear.

General Comments:

This truck is the best truck I have ever driven.

It's not the fastest truck, but it will pull anything.

Great gas mileage.

We put a high volume oil pump, and now I take it on long distance trips.

It gets about 40% better gas mileage than my previous 4Runner, and has twice the power.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th February, 2012

1987 Ford F150 4x4 300 suffering six

Summary:

Fixing the previous owner's neglect..

Faults:

Rear tank fuel pump went 30 seconds after I purchased it.

Both fuel relays.

Oil pan gasket (was shot when I got it).

Transmission pan gasket (shot when I got it).

Blew a rear shock on my first 30 mile trip.

Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, coil, ignition module, IAC diode, upper heater hose, O2 sensor, and intake all had issues in the same week.

Rear gas tank leaks (and is the only one I can use, because the previous owner put a "new" bed on it that didn't have the port for the front tank).

Radiator leaks.

PCV valve got plugged.

Catalytic convertor got plugged.

Every axle joint needs replacing.

Throttle position sensor terminal at PCM.

General Comments:

Well, it's given me crap since day one, but it's a pretty decent truck with plenty of torque.

The monstrous 300 straight six is pretty tough on the wallet (between repairs and getting 9.4mpg city, 15mpg highway).

The C6 auto is a power sapper, but the 300 doesn't care.

It's a standard cab with an 8 foot bed. I've hauled well over a ton in the bed, and it still didn't break a sweat (pretty sure it loved it).

261k miles on it (almost 262k) and it still runs (not really strong, but it's got its issues like any other make).

I'm basically fixing everything that the previous owner turned the other cheek to (it SHOULD be the healthiest 300 six on the road, but it isn't... electrical NIGHTMARE).

I'm selling the poor thing to my dad so he can have a plow truck. I can't really say I'll miss it that much, because of all the trouble it put me through, but it'll be treated well for the last years of its life. Buying a 94 F-150 4x4 to replace it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th November, 2011