Good truck, reliable if transmissions didn't go out so quick
Engine went out at 300,000 miles.
Replaced brakes twice.
Transmission went out twice before and this third time I just didn't fix it.
Runs good.
Strong truck.
Just has slight transmission problems after replacing the first one.
Like the bench seat, it is comfortable.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd March, 2007
Aw-some truck, will never die
The only problem:rusted gas-tank.
May need a carb rebuild.
4wheel high doesn't work, low does.
Truck starts and runs good every time.
Cold blooded, but once warms up runs like new.
Has pretty good gas mileage for a truck 15-19mpg.
Lots of power for a six cylinder.
Use it as a everyday driver to school and work no problems.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd November, 2006
The best truck ever made
I bought the truck with a blown transmission and drive train. To get it running again, I had to replace the transmission, clutch, flywheel, bell-housing, starter, drive shaft, and forward fuel tank. Cost $2100.
AC compressor replacement, $675.
I let myself sell it.
This was my first vehicle, this was also the only vehicle that I have ever truly loved. I was 17 when I purchased the black and silver F-150 for only $500. The transmission had blown on the interstate, causing a chain reaction that destroyed the drive shaft, clutch, starter, and punched a hole in one of the fuel cells. $2100 and four months later, the truck became my beloved form of transportation.
This being an old truck, it had it's quirks. The engine leaked, the clutch burnt out twice, the electrical system never completely worked properly. These problems would slowly be worked out, and this truck was all in all, a very reliable and rugged vehicle in the sense that I drove it over 60,000 miles during a two year span and was never stranded. For my eighteenth birthday, I treated myself to replacing the broken AC (a must in Arizona) and had the truck re-painted gloss black.
The inline six that the ford had was not overly powerful. It did the job and was still running the day I sold it at over 240,000 miles! I should have never sold this vehicle, as it was good looking, fun to drive, and extremely safe.
They simply do not build them like they used to. This was a truck that was not pretending to be a car, like so many are doing today. It had a cloth bench, vinyl floorboards, and a mostly bare steel interior. The experience while driving in this truck was about as smooth and as quiet as a bulldozer. It was simple, honest, and rugged. The twin-I beam suspension was made so well, that even after 200,000 miles of driving, the truck never needed alignment adjustments. There are a lot of trucks of this era still on the road, a testament to how good my old baby was. If you want a truck to drive around in and not get dirty, go cash in your 401K, get a second mortgage and buy a new one. But if you want to tow, haul, camp, work, and play in the mud with a truck that will willingly and eagerly take the abuse, there are plenty of old, but dependable f-150's out there like mine for about 2-3 thousand dollars.
I should have never, ever sold her. There has been no vehicle that compared in overall quality to that old truck.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 28th March, 2004
I also own this same truck. The present mileage is twenty thousand short of four hundred thousand. The dependability, comfort, engine, and all aspects of this vehicle have allowed myself many years of enjoyment. The 1980 Ranger Lariet,300 six, 4x4,4spd, lockout hubs in my estimation will be hard fought to duplicate in many years to come. Thank you Ford Motor Co. for a quality product.
9th Jul 2008, 09:05
I have a 1980 Ford F150 Custom short bed. My father pulled it out of a junk yard and rebuilt it from the ground up. All new brake lines, e brake and put in a rebuilt junk yard 300 cubic inch straight 6. Of course without emissions pump because you can't find them anymore.
The tranny is the original 4 speed, and the transfer case is original. It has the bed of an 88 and the driver side door of a 94. A lego truck for the most part.
When they passed the emissions law in PA about 6 years ago, he parked it in our field. No special treatment, just rolled up the windows and left it.
Over the bad winters and weather, it took its toll on the bed. But about 6 months ago I decided to move it. So I took a battery and put in it, turned the key and it was running. It has little odds and ends wrong with it, but no drive train problems. Even though we pulled a 10 ton crawler with it. Some Fords just are better than others I guess.