1986 Ford F150 XLT Lariat from North America - Comments

Broke rear axle, first 2 weeks after buying it, ended up having to rebuild the entire rear end. All this and with only normal highway driving!

Water pump, and radiator 3 weeks later.

Blew the clutch out 6 months later, so had trans rebuilt and shifts just like new once again.

Seat padding on Drivers Side sagging, inserted foam and cardboard to make up difference.

2 days after installing new clutch, something was definetly wrong. Clutch not working proper, slipping, and hard to engage sometimes. Ended up ripping new one out and replacing once again, all due to improper installation by transmission shop. They ruined the pressure plate, twisting it, and not allowing clutch to engage properly.

Blew heater core one cold winter night, so ended up replacing that.

Speedometer cable broke, didn't replace it for 3 years!

Broke a piston, and basically destroyed engine at 269,000 km. Top of piston was still at the top, but rest was in pieces in pan along with con rod. Dropped in a used (122,000 kms) 87 302, still running strong over 3 years later.

Goes through rear wheel seals like crazy until the last time I had them use LOTS of sealant along with the seals.

Gone through 4 brake calipers, and 4 rear wheel cylinders, along with equal brake shoes and pads.

Needs another set of tires, the gravel roads just chew them up fast. 5 sets in 10 years.

Broke a rear leaf spring, still broken...

Fenders, box, doors and cab corners now rusted out.

Even though its rusted out, I just love my truck! Not giving it up until it completely dies!

Not great gas economy though, best I ever get is 14 mpg, no matter what. Using the 4x4 drops it to about 11.

That would be one one biggest complaint.

I bought it for $5200 in May of 1995, so it owes me nothing that's for sure.

It has never let me down when I needed it, so its my reliable beater that's for sure.

I have a 1986 Ford F-150 XL 4x4; my dad bought it brand new. The only trouble I've ever had out of the truck was a brake line rusted out. (It's almost 20 years old.) I replaced the brake line in a hour and have never had any other problems out of this truck. If you really have had all of the problems with your truck you listed, you either bought the truck used and abused or drive it into the ground. You can't beat these trucks when they have been well maintained.

I have a 1986 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat. The only problem this truck has for me is the timing is off and carbon blowing out the exhaust. It is on its second engine at 90000kms and was replaced at 200000kms and is still on the original transmisson. It is a good truck with about 20 mpg. I would recommend this as a good highway and work truck.

Just like the one guy, I too have a second engine in mine due to a head on before I owned it, and still on original tranny.

The timings off, and the carbons now blowing out of the exhaust, as my exhaust is now basically non-existent.

I drive an 86 F-150 XLT Lariat Ext Cab. Only Problem I've ever had out of it was the gas line came off on me. but there is a recall on that. Other than that this has been the best vehicle I've ever owned for reliability.

I drive A 1986 F150 XLT Lariat that has been good to me. The body has stayed in good shape, the frame is holding strong, and overall I am impressed with the performance of the 5.0 liter. With a 2wd would 33x12.50r15s fit under it on the factory rims with a 3 inch body lift? I use it for trail work and I can't afford anything else.

Hi, I am going through a loan to buy a 1986 Ford F150 XLT 4x4. The price is $1095.00. The motor is a 5.0 302 v8 efi. The transmission is out on overdrive, but does drive on Drive. And I've got a bed for the 1986 Ford truck.

I use to own 1982 and 1983 Ford F150 trucks. The 1982 is a 4x4 the 1983 is a two wheel drive. The 1982 is a 5.8 Windsor and the 1983 is a 300 6 cylinder. Are the transmissions good or bad, I'm just wondering?

Thank you Robert Ramsey.

To Robert.

You're going to borrow money to buy a truck which has a faulty transmission? Sounds like a bad idea to me. If I were you, and if you're set on buying it, at least find out what it will take to fix it properly. Maybe it's worth only 50 cents at the end of it.

I got my 1986 F-150 in Sept as a gift from my mother. I love it. Everything in it works... p/w, p/locks, cruise, tilt, even the a/c.

Everything on the truck is original... engine, trans, cloth seat, carpet, even the clearance lights on the cab are original.

All the paperwork was still in the truck the day the original owner bought it new. It has dual fuel tanks with three fuel pumps. Replaced two so far at a cost of $115 a piece.

There is not one dent, with original paint which looks as good as it did brand new.

I love the 5.0 EFI with overdrive. I am currently getting about 13-14 miles per gallon, but you will not hear me complain.

The exhaust is split from the muffler to a dual pipe, replacing it with true duel exhaust. I am not fond of it being a short bed, but when someone else buys the truck for you... who is complaining.

In all, the 150 IS a great work or pleasure truck.