1983 Ford F150 351w
Summary:
A pure reliable workhorse
Faults:
Replaced the steering gear box at 400,000 miles.
Rebuilt the Carb at 350,000 miles.
Rebuilt the engine at 250,000 miles.
Rebuilt the Transmission at 540,000 miles.
Replaced rear differential and axle at 500,000.
Overhauled the AC system at 385,000 miles.
The vehicle is in need of paint and the fenders are rusting out.
General Comments:
This has been a great vehicle. I bought it new in 1983 for $5,800. I have spent over the years probably in the neighborhood of $8,000 in repairs (excludes normal maintenance and service). I have had nothing but good experiences with Ford trucks. I also have a 1988 full size Bronco (in excellent shape) and a 2001 F-150 (my wife drives it). But the old 1983 F150 just keeps on trucking and I use it now for hauling, fishing, camping and just plain fun.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 11th October, 2002
3rd Mar 2006, 13:36
I am contemplating buying a 1983 F150 XLT inline 6 cylinder, 4.9L truck with 60,000 original miles. It has some undercarriage rust and has $1800 worth of engine work. What do you think this truck is worth?
15th Jan 2011, 17:11
My Grandpa gave me his 83 f150 that he bought brand new in November of '82. The truck had 385,000 miles on it and still running. I had the 300IL6 rebuilt for $1400, and replaced some other stuff like alternator and battery. But it runs like a champ now.
18th Apr 2013, 08:46
I have the same exact truck, down to the motor. It is a very tough and reliable truck, and it surprisingly gets great mileage while towing 3 to 6 thousand pounds.
I've looked it up, and that model and year of truck is made for towing and hauling. AKA the truck can pull whatever you can fit in the box and on the trailer. And the suspension barely squatted when I had 7 thousand on it.
LOVE THIS TRUCK! No rebuilds whatsoever and running like new.
- Cody
6th Nov 2002, 16:54
It is always good to hear how tough ford really is. I now have three ford f150 trucks 83,83,89. One of the 83's is used for plowing snow, pulling stumps and leveling ground and pushing dump trucks loads of dirt. Not just a little dirt, but, about 50 loads of dirt. The truck is still running OK and is waiting now on the winter plowing again.
Hawk.