1989 Ford F150 Custom from North America - Comments

Emergency brake cable broke at 105,000.

Transfer case handle broke at 175,000.

Rust on rear fenders.

Alternator went out at 179,000.

Power steering pump replaced at 170,000 miles.

Starter went out at 125,000.

Sloppy shifter action at 110,000.

Broken rear leaf spring at 120,000.

Wheel bearings replaced at 145,000.

Speedometer went bad at 110,000.

Temperature gauge bad at 120,000.

I love this truck. Everything that has gone wrong with it has been a direct result of my actions. It has been submerged over the hood in floodwater after I drove off the road... the motor never quit running, but it ruined the wheel bearings. The bench seat was soaked like a sponge. The headlights made it look like a submarine, but somehow I drove it out. It has hit a concrete light pole base, a huge 12-foot flower planter, a van, several deer, and finally my other car in a low-speed accident. It has been buried in mud several times as well as snow. As a result of my abuse, there is a dent in the front bumper, the grille is cracked, the right headlight has detached and simply lays in place. Needless to say, I can't drive and this truck has saved my butt on many occcasions.

I purchased my 1993 F-150 used in 1997 after a construction company used it for several years.

The 1st year I ran it for all of 2,500km. I do not remember touching it for the next 3 years other than putting in fuel and changing the oil religiously @ 5,000km intervals.

This truck gets used a lot and often hauls a cubic yard of soil or construction materials at over a ton. I simply run the rear tires at 43lbs. The bed simply sits down on the differential.

I have put over 150,000 km on the truck since it was purchased, and have recently had to have the automatic 4 speed overdrive transmission rebuilt @ 195000km.

The following are the repairs that have been carried out:

Alternator changed twice

Idler pulley

Fuel tank

Oil pan gasket

Rear differential outer bearings

Front shock absorbers

Brakes once in front - twice rear

Windshield wiper motor twice

All in all this is a very dependable vehicle that will run endlessly. Most of the parts are now available from independents and are cheap to buy. Very little on this truck needs to be repaired by a mechanic, most items are easy to access.

One problem may be dealing with rust since everything lasts so long, and up here in Canada we have lots of snow and salted road surfaces which promote more rust.

I will have it repainted this summer, and should get another 10 years out of my F 150.

I bought a 1988 ford f-150 with a 5.8 351 cubic inch iron horse motor, this thing screamed. the transmission was a three speed, which just killed me on fuel mileage. the 4x4 was great, always got me through anything. the motor was over-revved and put a rod through the pan, which broke my heart because of how beautiful this truck was. a few days ago, I bought a 1989 ford f-150 with a off-road package, inline 6, 4x4 and a headache rack for 1600. this truck is a beast. it has rancho shocks all around and 5 speed manual. the inline six I think is the best motor ford built besides the 5.0 302. I hope this truck treats me as well as I am going to treat it.

My 1988 F150 is as dependable as those previous. With 258,000 miles on it... if it ain't broken yet... it won't!

The only problem I'm having is with the sloppy shifter mentioned in the original post.

I have the 4 speed with overdrive that uses the direct shifter. Easily reached and removed once the boot is retracted.

Is there a rebuild kit for this thing. It appears the pivot pins are worn out and the spring/shims that hold the ball in place have shattered.

Any help would be appreciated.

Bud.

I do agree with all my fore writers. I own a used 89000 mile 1990 F-150 with the "legendary" 300ci I6 engine. The truck was imported to Germany in 1993 and rust-conserved with a kind of yellow wax-fluid. No body or chassis rust till now. Fuel-injected engine runs strongest with originally 3+1 manual floorshifted gearbox. Truck, engine and components seem to be indestructible. Truck cries for heavy load on the bed, that is its element...

No way to compare with some weak trucks made over here.

OK, the mileage could be a bit better...

Jo Jo, Germany.

Hi I have a 1992 Ford F150 Custom, it has 344,000 (that's right, 344,000) miles and still going. Need I say more?

I bought my '89 F150 4.9L in '94. I consider it a piece of equipment. I certainly haven't treated it like "porcelain". It hauls my four, over 80 pound dogs to the creek, and I can rinse out the salt water "shake-off" at home. I like to be out in hurricane weather, and I and my chainsaws have stayed warm and dry. We go tent camping where there are sometimes NO roads, without 4-wheel drive! Had a rear seal blow out on the uphill to cross Skyline drive. At the top, let traffic by and inspect. Blew rear oil seal, and had to limp home with "chainsaw bar oil", and a gruesome lower knock. After the deer charged the front left, I finally made it home to have the motor seize in the driveway. Freed it up, 2 weeks later, same noise due to collapsed oil filter from previous overheat cleaning insides, and seized second time. Freed again, and the third seize was due to oil pump plate came loose. Freed up engine one more time, and have been driving it for over two years now. YES SIR! I sure have gotten more than reasonable use outta mine. Guess who folks 'round here call to tow 'em out!