Best Car Reviews - 1987 Ford F150 Pickup 4WD

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Introduction

The 1987 Ford F150 Pickup 4WD is an eighth-generation full-size American work truck aimed at owners who need practical towing, hauling and four-wheel-drive capability. Its redesigned, smoother body gave the F-Series a more modern look than the 1980–1986 trucks, while the simple mechanical layout, regular-gas V8 configuration and four-speed manual gearbox remain appealing to classic-truck enthusiasts.

Design and Exterior Features

Ford gave the 1987 F-150 a substantial exterior update with cleaner, more aerodynamic front-end styling, a broad grille, squared cargo box and purposeful raised 4WD stance. Regular Cab and SuperCab body styles, different bed lengths and trims allowed buyers to choose a basic work truck or a better-equipped personal-use pickup. Compared with its predecessor, the 1987 model looked less angular and more integrated without losing the traditional body-on-frame pickup character.

Redesigned eighth-generation F-Series body with a smoother front profile.
Part-time four-wheel-drive system for rough roads, farm use and low-traction conditions.
Steel cargo bed with available short- and long-bed configurations.
Available Custom, XL and XLT Lariat trim levels.
Power steering and power brakes were standard equipment.

Interior and Comfort

The cabin is straightforward rather than luxurious, with a wide dashboard, large controls and excellent outward visibility for work-site driving. Base trucks were sparsely trimmed, while XL and XLT Lariat versions could add cloth upholstery, carpeting, upgraded door panels, better trim and more convenience equipment. Front bench seating is practical and roomy, although ride comfort and cabin noise are firmly rooted in 1980s pickup-truck standards.

Simple, easy-to-service dashboard and analog instruments.
Wide front bench seat on many configurations.
Cloth upholstery and upgraded trim available on higher trims.
SuperCab versions offered useful extra interior storage and occasional-use rear seating.
Manual controls reduce complexity but feel dated beside modern pickups.

Performance and Handling

This vehicle record identifies an eight-cylinder regular-gas engine with the engine code listed as FFS, four-wheel drive and a four-speed manual transmission. Ford offered several V8 choices in the 1987 F-Series range, but the supplied engine code does not reliably confirm displacement, horsepower or torque, so those figures should be verified from the truck’s VIN and emissions label before purchase. The heavy-duty manual transmission gives the truck a deliberate, mechanical feel, while the 4WD system improves traction off pavement. Its supplied fuel-consumption figure is 22.9 L/100 km, equivalent to about 10.3 mpg US, making fuel cost a significant ownership consideration. No factory acceleration figure was verified for this exact configuration.

V8 engine configuration using regular gasoline.
Four-speed manual transmission for direct driver control.
Four-wheel drive suits mud, snow, unpaved roads and light off-road work.
Front coil and rear leaf-spring suspension prioritizes load carrying over ride softness.
Fuel consumption of 22.9 L/100 km is high by modern full-size-pickup standards.

Technology and Connectivity

Technology in the 1987 Ford F150 Pickup 4WD is basic and functional. Period equipment centered on an AM or AM/FM radio, heater controls, analog gauges and optional convenience features such as air conditioning, tilt steering and cruise control depending on trim and specification. There is no factory touchscreen, Bluetooth, navigation, smartphone integration, reversing camera or modern driver-assistance suite.

AM or AM/FM radio depending on configuration.
Analog speedometer, fuel, temperature and warning gauges.
Optional air conditioning and cruise control on selected trucks.
No factory smartphone connectivity or navigation.
Simple electrical architecture can make repairs more approachable than on newer trucks.

Safety Features

Safety equipment reflects its era. Power brakes and rear-wheel anti-lock braking were important features for the 1987 F-Series, but this is not a modern four-wheel ABS system. Airbags, stability control, traction control, lane support and automatic emergency braking were not part of the original specification. A verified modern-style crash-test rating for this exact 1987 F-150 4WD configuration was not available.

Rear-wheel anti-lock braking system.
Power-assisted brakes.
Three-point front outboard seat belts.
Strong body-on-frame construction.
No airbags, stability control or modern collision-avoidance technology.

Pricing and Variants

Original pricing varied considerably by cab, bed, drivetrain and trim. A documented 1987 F-150 XL regular-cab 4WD short-bed model carried an original MSRP of about $12,685, while better-equipped XLT Lariat 4WD versions cost more. The range included Custom, XL and XLT Lariat trims, with Regular Cab and SuperCab body styles. Its principal rivals were the Chevrolet C/K 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Dodge Ram 150 and Toyota Pickup 4WD. Today, condition, rust, originality, engine choice and local demand matter far more than original MSRP.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Classic full-size Ford truck styling with a more modern 1987 redesign.
Useful four-wheel-drive capability for work and poor weather.
Simple manual-transmission driving experience.
Broad parts availability and strong enthusiast support.
Practical cargo bed and durable body-on-frame construction.

Cons

Very high fuel consumption compared with modern pickups.
No airbags or modern active-safety systems.
Ride can be bouncy when the bed is empty.
Cabin refinement, noise isolation and ergonomics are dated.
Age-related rust and electrical repairs can be expensive.

Maintenance and Common Issues

A reliable standardized yearly maintenance-cost estimate for this exact 1987 F-150 4WD specification was not verified; costs depend heavily on condition, corrosion, mileage and prior repairs. Common owner-reported areas to inspect include frame, cab-corner and bed rust; fuel-pump, relay and dual-tank switching faults where fitted; heat-related TFI ignition-module failures; aging alternator wiring and electrical connections; and wear in the clutch, manual transmission, transfer case, universal joints and front 4WD components. A pre-purchase inspection should include a cold start, charging-system test, brake check, 4WD engagement test and close corrosion inspection.

Rating

Overall rating: 6.8/10. Design: 7.5/10 for its clean, recognizable classic-truck shape. Comfort: 6/10 due to its spacious but basic cabin and firm unloaded ride. Performance: 7/10 for V8 character, manual control and 4WD usefulness, reduced by fuel use. Technology: 3/10 because equipment is largely analog and non-connected. Safety: 4.5/10 because rear-wheel ABS was progressive for its time, but modern occupant protection is limited.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly values the 1987 Ford F150 Pickup 4WD for its tough character, straightforward repairability and traditional truck feel. Satisfaction is strongly tied to the truck’s maintenance history: well-preserved examples can be dependable work vehicles, while neglected trucks can require extensive rust, fuel-system and electrical restoration.

Owners often appreciate the durable chassis and useful cargo-bed design.
The manual gearbox is valued by drivers who prefer a more involved driving experience.
Many owners praise the truck’s traction and confidence on snow, dirt and rural roads.
Fuel economy is frequently identified as a major downside for regular use.
Buyers consistently recommend checking rust, wiring and fuel-system condition before purchase.

Best Cars in This Category

1987 Chevrolet C/K 1500 4WD
1987 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD
1987 Dodge Ram 150 4WD
1987 Toyota Pickup 4WD
1987 Jeep Comanche 4WD

Summary

The 1987 Ford F150 Pickup 4WD is best suited to classic-truck buyers, hobbyists, rural owners and drivers who value a simple V8-powered 4x4 more than modern efficiency or comfort. It offers real utility, a distinctive late-1980s Ford look and good parts support, but the right purchase depends on verified engine specification, solid structure, functioning four-wheel drive and documented maintenance. For buyers prepared for its fuel appetite and age-related repairs, a clean example can still be a rewarding and capable truck.