Vehicle Description
We get a lot of handsome vintage pickups in our showroom, but this
particular Bullnose Ford 4x4 really deserves your undivided
attention. While most mid-'80s Ford pickups were rode hard and put
away wet, this 1986 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat 4x4 has lived a charmed
existence in the warm South. Trimmed out with top-of-the-line
options, this low-mile shortbed features fresh black paint, a
refreshed A/C interior, a commanding 4x4 stance, and a powerful
5.0L V8 under the hood. If you love this beautiful bruiser from our
photos, wait until you see it in person.
Frankly, it's very refreshing to see a dialed-in truck from this
era that's not a GM Square Body. Ford did great business in the
'80s with their upscale off-roaders, and not many trucks were more
admired than the Bullnose F-150 4x4. Unfortunately, many of these
trucks were driven into the ground out on the trails, worked within
an inch of their lives, or simply left to wither away in
scrapyards. That's what makes this particular Bullnose so special,
it's been preserved and restored to a level we've never really seen
before in this era of trucks. F-150s have always had a loyal
fanbase, and they're prized possessions in the collector market
these days, especially when one from a rather underrepresented
generation like this is found. It's really quite a gem, and you'd
never think this bruiser was 35 years old thanks to the high level
of conscientious care that comes from low ownership. Recently
resprayed back to its original shade of Raven Black, the finish is
incredibly fresh and looks great from all angles, offering a top
driver quality presentation not often found in 4x4s. It stops short
of show quality, which is good because you actually want to drive
this rig, although with 86,815 actual miles on the clock you might
consider some moderation to keep the odometer from rolling over. As
an XLT Lariat, it comes with a full complement of trim, and all
that brightwork has been polished up as a perfect complement to the
black bodywork. Heavy-duty bumpers fore and aft are beefy endcaps
that shine bright as can be, and the iconic eggcrate grille and
surrounding trim was recently replaced with correct materials to
punctuate the killer look. All the badging was installed after the
respray, the lenses were replaced with clear units, and the
oversized side mirrors are the perfect choice for a rugged pickup
like this. Out back, the shortbed was painted to match the body,
but a durable Pendaliner was added to protect the original
sheetmetal.
The red interior is another very pleasant surprise, offering a
mostly original cab with a few updated and factory-correct
materials that mesh perfectly and look great. Ford insisted on
upscale appointments in their top-of-the-line Lariat models, and
the red soft-crush upholstery that was recently installed around
the bench is tasteful and durable, yet still stylish enough to not
look too dated today. The red carpets are in fact original, and are
still feel very plush with only minor signs of use, further proof
that this truck has been babied its entire life. The door panels
are originals too (sans the soft-crush inserts that match the
seat), and the distinct lack of major sun-fading is a feat all on
its own, although the wrap-around dash pad is in such 'like-new'
shape we think it's likely an OEM replacement that fits just right.
Woodgrain applique on the dash and original steering wheel was a
trademark of Lariat trim in '86, and it really does a great job
making things feel sophisticated inside. Options came loaded in
Lariats, including cold factory A/C, power window and locks, cruise
control, a leather-rimmed steering wheel, a digital clock, and the
original AM/FM/Cassette that still works! All the factory gauges
ahead of the driver are crystal clear and work great, as do the
'idiot' warning lights, and with a column shifter managing the
automatic transmission below, things are very comfortable at the
helm of this Ford. Up top the original headliner is still in place
and looks great, and there's a sliding rear window in the back for
when A/C is not necessary.
Ford's erstwhile fuel-injected 5.0L V8 is a great choice to move
all this sheetmetal, providing plenty of low-end grunt that never
feels stressed. Despite a vast aftermarket for the venerable 5.0L
motor, this one remains completely stock, and although Ford didn't
stamp VINs on their blocks to 100% confirm numbers-matching, the
date-code confirms this to be a 1986 engine and by the looks of all
the bone-stock components we believe this to be the original
drivetrain. With only 86k actual mules on the clock and signs of
maintenance throughout the engine runs great, with plenty of
horsepower and torque on tap for an occasion. The engine bay is
just as slick and original as the rest of the truck, and if it's
ever seen anything rougher than a gravel driveway, we'd be
surprised. With a 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, a
2-speed transfer case, and a heavy-duty 9-inch rear end with 3.00
gears, this truck is equally happy at highway speeds or crawling at
barely a walking pace and the suspension is built for off-roading
that would strand any one of today's "cute utes". The exhaust
system sounds just like it's supposed to, and power steering and
power front disc brakes mean this big Ford handles and drives like
a dream. Handsome factory wheels are in excellent shape, wearing
33x12.5x15 General Grabber A/T white-letter radials that finish off
the look perfectly.
If you grew up in the '80s, you know this is a super-cool truck,
and you just won't find more go-anywhere transportation in this
kind of shape. With low ownership, low miles, and tons of original
docs like the warranty card, window sticker, dealer invoice, and
owner's manuals, this Bullnose 4x4 is ready to dominate for years
to come. Call today!
