Restored 4X4 V8 1989 F150 gas-guzzling goodness (pics)

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Restored 4X4 V8 1989 F150 gas-guzzling goodness (pics) (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 4/28/2011 2:27:43 PM EDT

Freshly restored with a coat of metallic charcoal paint and a spray on bed liner. She also got a lot of mechanical TLC.

12 miles per gallon. Every time Maobama starts lecturing us on what vechicles we should and shouldn't drive, I take her out and roar down the road in rebellion.

She got a new black powder-coat billet grille and new headlights to go along with the new taillights and mirrors.

As was standard with 150 XLTs back then, this (above) was what covered the entire tailgate. Of course I hated it, so I pulled it off and was delighted to find the OLD SCHOOL reverse-embossed F-O-R-D letters underneath.

It was in great condition, except for the 4 giant holes where the mounts for the aluminum monstrosity (pictured here) were.

Had the giant holes welded shut, then the tailgate got stripped, primed and painted with the rest of the truck. After all that was done, I had the body shop paint the F-O-R-D in black.

Used her today to haul and install a 16 foot aluminum mesh gate.

Posted: 4/28/2011 2:29:45 PM EDT

[#1]

I came...

edit - MOAR details man! 4.9, 5.0 or 5.8? AOD, C6 or 5spd? As the owner of an 89 F150 Supercab XLT 4x4 (5.8/C6) Let me say, nice truck.

Posted: 4/28/2011 2:29:49 PM EDT

[#2]

Looks good. Though it's kinda interesting to hear of a "restored" 1989 F150.

Posted: 4/28/2011 2:30:43 PM EDT

[#3]

That's pretty awesome!

Posted: 4/28/2011 2:32:19 PM EDT

[#4]

Nice, except for them tires.

Posted: 4/28/2011 2:32:50 PM EDT

[#5]

Sweet!

What's with the ding in the rear bumper?

Posted: 4/28/2011 2:50:58 PM EDT

[#6]

Very nice job. I really like the tailgate. Here's my '83 F250, it appears we have similar tastes.

Posted: 4/28/2011 2:52:05 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Nice, except for them tires.

Posted: 4/28/2011 2:54:16 PM EDT

[#8]

Restored usually means a frame-off restoration with all new or rebuilt parts.

I think you "refreshed" it, and it looks great. I'm digging the color.

Posted: 4/28/2011 2:58:06 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

I came...

edit - MOAR details man! 4.9, 5.0 or 5.8? AOD, C6 or 5spd? As the owner of an 89 F150 Supercab XLT 4x4 (5.8/C6) Let me say, nice truck.

Another 89 owner? That was a great year model. Really easy to work on too.

It's got the 5.0 (302) with 5-speed.

Eventually I'd like to drop a tweaked-out crate into it, but the original only has 89,000 and runs great, especially after all the work I've done to it, so I'll probably just run that until it dies.

As another poster pointed out, it needs new tires. These (from the former owner) still have good tread and are good for off-road, but are HORRIBLE for on-road driving. I about blow my eardrums out on longer trips.

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:00:06 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:

Very nice job. I really like the tailgate. Here's my '83 F250, it appears we have similar tastes.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-3/975911/truck3.jpg

That thing is absolutely gorgeous.

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:04:12 PM EDT

[#11]

I have a 91 dodge w250 cummins 5 spd that needs the same sort of work. Next year or two and it shall be done

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:06:20 PM EDT

[#12]

Hmmm, the red reflector with Ford on it fell off my tailgate awhile back, so now it looks worse. After seeing this I may yank the chrome off and see whats under it.

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:06:48 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/228247_10150162610417554_517312553_7229099_1270951_n.jpg

Freshly restored with a coat of metallic charcoal paint and a spray on bed liner. She also got a lot of mechanical TLC.

12 miles per gallon. Every time Maobama starts lecturing us on what vechicles we should and shouldn't drive, I take her out and roar down the road in rebellion.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224737_10150162610477554_517312553_7229101_6811846_n.jpg

She got a new black powder-coat billet grille and new headlights to go along with the new taillights and mirrors.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/229207_10150162610542554_517312553_7229103_153611_n.jpg

As was standard with 150 XLTs back then, this (above) was what covered the entire tailgate. Of course I hated it, so I pulled it off and was delighted to find the OLD SCHOOL reverse-embossed F-O-R-D letters underneath.

It was in great condition, except for the 4 giant holes where the mounts for the aluminum monstrosity (pictured here) were.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217662_10150162610502554_517312553_7229102_7639477_n.jpg

Had the giant holes welded shut, then the tailgate got stripped, primed and painted with the rest of the truck. After all that was done, I had the body shop paint the F-O-R-D in black.

Used her today to haul and install a 16 foot aluminum mesh gate.

Those trucks were the epitome of the classic half ton truck. You did an outstanding job!

This post made me sticky in all the right places.

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:08:51 PM EDT

[#14]

ITS................BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:16:45 PM EDT

[#15]

Nicely done!

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:18:34 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Looks good. Though it's kinda interesting to hear of a "restored" 1989 F150.

Trucks of that time were driven like trucks, therefore have a shit load of wear. My dads 91 F250 is beat to Hell, and really could use a restore. Not much money to be had from it, though.

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:21:02 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Looks good. Though it's kinda interesting to hear of a "restored" 1989 F150.

Trucks of that time were driven like trucks, therefore have a shit load of wear. My dads 91 F250 is beat to Hell, and really could use a restore. Not much money to be had from it, though.

Except the value of keeping it a good truck. Hard to get rid of a generally solid truck when new ones are so damn expensive.

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:24:17 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Hmmm, the red reflector with Ford on it fell off my tailgate awhile back, so now it looks worse. After seeing this I may yank the chrome off and see whats under it.

Do it, you WON'T be disappointed.

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:29:21 PM EDT

[#19]

Yeah, I'm digging the old-school tailgate. I need to pop the trim off mine now...

Last week, looking for turkeys in the Quachita National Forest.

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:30:58 PM EDT

[#20]

I have a 91 for bad weather and chores around the house. Not a nearly as nice as yours though, looks great

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:31:26 PM EDT

[#21]

I had an '88 F150 that I finally traded with over 250K miles on it. 5.0 V8 and a OD automatic, it was a very basic truck. Other than lots of gas, oil and tires, the only thing I ever had to fix was the water pump. At 250K it still ran great, and drove like new, just didn't have any oil pressure at idle, NONE. This was a solid 20 mpg truck. A few years later I bought a '95 with the same specs, it wasn't near the truck the '88 was.

My youngest boy with a big drum he caught and wanted to bring back to show momma.
The truck is in the background, it saw a lot of duty pulling boats, campers, and various trailers.

My oldest boy with a very nice walleye.

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:38:09 PM EDT

[#22]

Nice!

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:41:04 PM EDT

[#23]

Very cool, OP!

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:42:06 PM EDT

[#24]

My Dad had a sweet blue and white '89 Bronco with a 302.

I was bummed out when he traded it for an explorer with a 302.

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:45:18 PM EDT

[#25]

Nice job buddy

Posted: 4/28/2011 3:49:00 PM EDT

[#26]

NICE! A fixed up old truck is just as nice as a new one, even better in many ways.

I would blacken those bumpers to match your grill.

I am looking for an old 12v Cummins Dodge project truck, no electronics, no extra crap.

Posted: 4/28/2011 4:18:24 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:

I had an '88 F150 that I finally traded with over 250K miles on it. 5.0 V8 and a OD automatic, it was a very basic truck. Other than lots of gas, oil and tires, the only thing I ever had to fix was the water pump. At 250K it still ran great, and drove like new, just didn't have any oil pressure at idle, NONE. This was a solid 20 mpg truck. A few years later I bought a '95 with the same specs, it wasn't near the truck the '88 was.

My youngest boy with a big drum he caught and wanted to bring back to show momma.

The truck is in the background, it saw a lot of duty pulling boats, campers, and various trailers.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Boys-Drum.jpg

My oldest boy with a very nice walleye.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Mattfish.jpg

Next to the dictionary definition of "nostalgia," are those pics. The truck in its original form (with original paint and tires), doing what it did back then - taking your kids fishing.

How old are they now?

Posted: 4/28/2011 4:30:08 PM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I had an '88 F150 that I finally traded with over 250K miles on it. 5.0 V8 and a OD automatic, it was a very basic truck. Other than lots of gas, oil and tires, the only thing I ever had to fix was the water pump. At 250K it still ran great, and drove like new, just didn't have any oil pressure at idle, NONE. This was a solid 20 mpg truck. A few years later I bought a '95 with the same specs, it wasn't near the truck the '88 was.

My youngest boy with a big drum he caught and wanted to bring back to show momma.
The truck is in the background, it saw a lot of duty pulling boats, campers, and various trailers.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Boys-Drum.jpg

My oldest boy with a very nice walleye.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Mattfish.jpg

Next to the dictionary definition of "nostalgia," are those pics. The truck in its original form (with original paint and tires), doing what it did back then - taking your kids fishing.

How old are they now?

Thanks, That truck took us to a lot of adventures.

My oldest is 26 now, lives in Las Vegas and works with the Predator UAVs at Creech AFB.

The little one is 24 and a C-130 pilot in the Air Force.

Posted: 4/28/2011 4:40:00 PM EDT

[#29]

My pee pee moved.

Thank you for saving another one!

Posted: 4/28/2011 4:40:47 PM EDT

[#30]

Awesome. Great job... drive the hell out of it

Posted: 4/28/2011 4:41:19 PM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
My pee pee moved.

Thank you for saving another one!

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t8/REAPER1911-A1/100_0994.jpg

*sigh*

I need a cigarette.

Posted: 4/28/2011 4:43:38 PM EDT

[#32]

She's pretty.

I have an '85 F150 stepside 4x4 w/ 351HO and a C6. Dark Canyone Red.

I'd love to restore her one day.

Posted: 4/28/2011 4:46:21 PM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:

Hmmm, the red reflector with Ford on it fell off my tailgate awhile back, so now it looks worse. After seeing this I may yank the chrome off and see whats under it.

Those XLT/XLT Lariat tailgate trims are like gold. It's very hard to find one in good condition.

I bought a NIB one for a 1997 F-350 dually from my grandfathers body shop. $275 at shop cost.

But it is the more rare one with the blue oval on the left.

Posted: 4/28/2011 4:46:59 PM EDT

[#34]

Nice truck,any underside pics?

Posted: 4/28/2011 5:01:05 PM EDT

[#35]

I've had quite a few F-150's over the years:

1977 2wd 4.9L with 3spd on column
1978 4wd 351M and AT
1986 4wd XLT 5.8L H.O. (carbureted) AT
1995 4wd XL 5.0L 5spd

I've been looking at picking an old one up again, probably a 4.9L model. I would like to find a good condition 1987-1991 4wd with the 4.9L and the 4spd "granny low" manual. Those trucks got ragged the hell out though, few and far between these days.

Posted: 4/28/2011 5:10:50 PM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:
I've had quite a few F-150's over the years:

1977 2wd 4.9L with 3spd on column
1978 4wd 351M and AT
1986 4wd XLT 5.8L H.O. (carbureted) AT
1995 4wd XL 5.0L 5spd

I've been looking at picking an old one up again, probably a 4.9L model. I would like to find a good condition 1987-1991 4wd with the 4.9L and the 4spd "granny low" manual. Those trucks got ragged the hell out though, few and far between these days.

That will be hard to do. Most 1988 and later (not sure about 1987) had the 5-speed.

Tell me about your 1986 with the 5.8HO. Mine would fly, and drove like a cadillac.

Posted: 4/28/2011 5:14:38 PM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
I've been looking at picking an old one up again, probably a 4.9L model. I would like to find a good condition 1987-1991 4wd with the 4.9L and the 4spd "granny low" manual. Those trucks got ragged the hell out though, few and far between these days.

I have an '88 4.9L/5spd that I bought last year for $1k

I love that truck, but something is always wrong with it and its in pretty rough damn shape. Rusty as shit and I dont think its ever seen the inside of a garage.

What I'd give to find that exact truck brand new. They really dont make em like that anymore.

Posted: 4/28/2011 5:39:57 PM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:

What I'd give to find that exact truck brand new. They really dont make em like that anymore.

If you're serious about it, look in California. There are many of them around, and with absolutely no rust.

Posted: 4/28/2011 5:51:42 PM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've had quite a few F-150's over the years:

1977 2wd 4.9L with 3spd on column
1978 4wd 351M and AT
1986 4wd XLT 5.8L H.O. (carbureted) AT
1995 4wd XL 5.0L 5spd

I've been looking at picking an old one up again, probably a 4.9L model. I would like to find a good condition 1987-1991 4wd with the 4.9L and the 4spd "granny low" manual. Those trucks got ragged the hell out though, few and far between these days.

That will be hard to do. Most 1988 and later (not sure about 1987) had the 5-speed.

Tell me about your 1986 with the 5.8HO. Mine would fly, and drove like a cadillac.

The 4-speed was actually available as an option through the 1993 model year but it is kinda rare to see one 1990 or later, quite a few around from 1987-1989 though. I see 'em pop up on CL here and there like this: http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/2302624259.html

My 1986 was two-tone silver/blue, XLT Lariat, regular cab, short bed, 4WD. Mine was slow and wouldn't run faster than 90 mph and got about 10mpg if you took it easy but gas was $0.85 a gallon so didn't really care, glad it had two tanks. I totaled it with 78k miles on it in 1994 and got a 1995 F-150.

Posted: 4/29/2011 6:05:41 AM EDT

[#40]

Some drool-worthy pics on this thread.

Posted: 4/29/2011 6:20:16 AM EDT

[#41]

i'd like an older ford P/U (specifically 78-79 F150), but everything rusts away to nothing here.

Posted: 4/29/2011 6:29:43 AM EDT

[#42]

I hada blue and while Ford F-150 Shortbed 4x4 just like yours OP... It was a 1990 though. It had a real nice 5.0 with thorley headers and stuff. I traded it for my Jeep in 2003 when I only had 5 cents left to pay it off. I see it around town and want it back now, haha!