Ford F-Series eighth generation

Eighth generation

Production1987–1991

AssemblyCuautitlan, Mexico
Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Norfolk, Virginia, USA
General Pacheco, Argentina
São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Wayne, Michigan, USA
Oakville, Ontario, Canada

PredecessorFord F-Series seventh generation (1980-1986)

SuccessorFord F-Series ninth generation (1992-1996/1997)

Body style2-door pickup
4-door pickup

Engine4.9 L (300 CID) I6
5.0 L (302 CID) V8
5.8 L (351 CID) V8
7.5 L (460 CID) V8
6.9 L (420 CID) Diesel V8
7.3 L (444 CID) Diesel V8

TransmissionC6 3-speed automatic
4-speed automatic
Borg-Warner T18 4-speed manual
M5OD 5-speed manual
ZF S5-42 5-speed manual

Wheelbase116.8 in (2,967 mm)
133.0 in (3,378 mm)
138.8 in (3,526 mm)
155 in (3,937 mm)
168.4 in (4,277 mm)

Length

194.1 in (4,930 mm)
215.9 in (5,484 mm)

232.2 in (5,898 mm)
210.2 in (5,339 mm)
245.7 in (6,241 mm)

Width79 in (2,007 mm)

The 1987 design was more streamlined, and maintenance items were made simpler. Rear antilock brakes were now standard, the first truck to boast this. The five speed Mazda M5OD transmission was added to the lineup in 1988, while still retaining the heavier built Borg-Warner T18 four speed manual transmission. Also for 1988, the flareside box was dropped. For 1987 the 4.9 L (300 CID) had standard fuel injection; for 1988, the 351 CID (5.8 L) and 7.5 L (460 CID) also gained fuel injection, with 1988 being the first year no carbureted engines were offered. 1988 also saw the replacement of the 6.9 L (420 CID) diesel V8 with a 7.3 L (444 CID) International Harvester IDI diesel V8 (now making 180 hp (130 kW). and 365 ft·lbf (495 N·m). of torque).

Four-wheel-drive improvements included the addition of automatic locking hubs for the F-150 in 1989, and for the rest in 1991. Starting in 1980 (to 1996), Ford offered a four-wheel-drive swing arm independent front suspension called Twin Traction Beam, or TTB. Based on its I-beam suspension from the mid '60s, Ford mounted a Dana 44 differential in the driver-side (front) axle beam and transmitted torque to the passenger-side wheel with a double U-jointed axleshaft. Radius arms and coil springs were still used on the F-150's, while the four-wheel-drive F-250s and F-350s got leaf springs. The F-250s received TTB Dana 50 axles and the F-350s got a solid axle Dana 60. The 5.0 L (302 CID) truck also had an optional "Touch Drive" electronic transfer case. Custom (Dropped after 1988), XL, XLT, and XLT Lariat were the trim options available. For 1991, a new "Nite" trim package was introduced. It included all blacked-out exterior trim and either a pink or blue/purple stripe and "Nite" decal on the sides of the cargo box. Some sources report that a sport suspension was included, although this is not certain.

F-Super Duty

The F-Super Duty (as the fender emblems stated) models appeared from 1987 to 1997. They were basically F-450s built as an "incomplete vehicle" (chassis cab) due to the fact that there was no bed installed and an aftermarket bed (specific to its future use) was added after the truck's initial build date. It came with dual fuel tanks with a dash-mounted toggle switch to switch between each tank while using only the one fuel gauge. It came with a PTO (Power Take-Off) used to power attachments (like winches or a dump bed) from the transmission. They were rated at about 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). They came with either the standard 7.5 L (460 CID) gas V8 or the optional 7.3 L (444 CID) diesel V8. All wheels were 10-lug with DRW (Dual Rear Wheels). This model should not be confused with the "Super Duty" commercial line of trucks starting with the 1999 model year.

The models are: