1988 Ford F150 XLT review from North America

The water pump leaked.

The front differential seals leaked.

The tachometer did not work when I bought the truck. I replaced it with a tach from the junkyard which worked fine. Also, the voltmeter would sometimes stop working. I fixed that by bending the electrical contacts where the gage mounts in the dash so they would make good, firm contact. Easy!

This was a great truck. Every problem it had was relatively minor, and I fixed each problem myself. The 5.8 L engine and 5-speed stick is a good combination; fun to drive on the highway and up and down mountains. First gear and 4wd-Lo is a nice low creeper speed; very useful for driving in the dirt in the Rocky Mountains. Stop-and-go city driving was its only weak point; you have to do a lot of shifting. I would still be happily driving this truck today, were it not for idiot drivers who run red lights and smash into people!