1989 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat

Description

Big jobs need big trucks, and it was right about the time that this 1989 Ford F150 XLT Lariat Extended Cab was built that these trucks really started to take off and dominate the market for Ford. With 5.8L V8 Ford Tough power, a stylish, fleetside short bed that'll carry anything under the white camper cover, and a gorgeous extended cab interior that's in great condition, this affordable, low-mileage Ford truck is on the cusp of "modern classic" status and can be driven and enjoyed across the country with nary a worry.

The big, squared-off style of the late-'80s and early-'90s F-series trucks (aka the Bricks) works particularly well with bright, two-tone paint. Crisply rendered and very butch, this rig looks like it could pull an ocean liner out of the water, or pull up to the valet at a Michelin Star rated restaurant and not be escorted to the loading dock for deliveries. That's factory-correct and original Code H Bright Regatta Blue Metallic and Code 9M White paint on all-original Henry Ford steel, and it's been extremely well maintained for being over 32 years old (yes, 32). Sure, it shows some signs of use and age, but we're talking pretty minor stuff, and if we're to believe that those miles are actual (and we do believe them to be) then the survivor-grade finish corroborates the claim that this truck has been babied since new. The iconic chrome grille, oversized mirrors, heavy-duty bumpers fore and aft, and even the camper shell add to the rugged feel, although you'll ultimately discover that this pickup is pretty darned civilized. The bed has certainly been used but never abused, and it's protected by a heavy-duty drop-in rubber liner on the floor and tailgate to limit any further scratches. It has lived its entire life in Texas with just four owners, all of whom took great care of the truck and because it lived down south and is barely broken-in mileage-wise, there are no critical structural issues to worry about underneath. Get in and put it to work!

One look inside and any worries you may have about whether or not the 75K miles on the odometer are 'believed actual' or not, should be immediately assuaged. Up front, blue cloth buckets flank a central console to make long-distance cruising a pleasure, and there's a bench seat out back that can carry two-to-three passengers in a pinch. The upholstery is in shockingly good condition and the big cab feels downright spacious, even for late-'80s extended cab standards. Original carpets are still in awesome shape, as are the matching door panels, and for a hauler like this, you're going to want options: factory A/C, power windows and locks, cruise control that's managed on the steering wheel, dual fuel tanks, and a stock AM/FM/Cassette stereo in the dash. The XLT Lariat trim level brings woodgrain accents to the dash, a more stylish headliner and door panels, and eponymous badging on the expansive dash – which is amazingly stress and crack free. Big, bright gauges offer a comprehensive view of the engine's condition and with only 75,502 believed-actual miles, you folks familiar with these trucks understand that this one is just getting started. A giant rear window is a nice feature (even with the camper shell in place), giving the cab a fishbowl feel, and we have to say that climbing in this truck feels like coming home; who didn't have an F-Series back in the '80s -'90s?

Ford's venerable 5.8L cubic inch V8 was built with trucks like this in mind. With modern EFI on top, it's a torque factory and shrugs off the biggest loads you can put behind it. The big low-RPM engine isn't stressed, so it will run practically forever and despite a number of modifications available for these trucks, this one remains bone stock - from the twin intake snorkels to the intake manifold to the A/C compressor, and the only non-stock item we could find is the exhaust system underneath that's been upgraded to a stainless-steel system with glasspack-style mufflers. It's very tidy but not overly detailed under the hood, but just being pretty isn't this truck's only job, it can still put the work in too. Ford's tough 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission offers good gearing to make the most of the small block's torque curve and a tall overdrive that turns highway hauls into relaxing road trips. Southern living is most visible underneath, where it's extremely clean and well-preserved, from the stock front suspension that features power steering and power front disc brakes to the gigantic rear end, which has factory highway-friendly gears inside. It's stanced high up on factory springs and shocks, and the big body sits on 15-inch wheels wrapped in 235/75/15 truck radials to finish off the rugged look.

If you've priced these 'Brick' F-series trucks lately, you know these pickups are really gaining steam. Still ready to work, still handsome, and still comfortable, it represents a great deal of practicality for not a lot of cash. Call today!