1981 Ford F150 Custom worth
Looking at buying this with 302 V8, Stepside, factory A/C, 4 speed with overdrive, 4WD. Found some info on NADA, but can't find it anywhere else. Need info for loan.
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1981 Ford F-150 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 1981 Ford F-150 continued to dominate the American and international light-duty truck market. No great changes were made to the '81 Ford F150; available trim options included the Sport, Ranger, Ranger XLT, and Lariat, as well as Custom orders.
Short-bed and long-bed configurations made the '81 Ford F-150 an ideal workhorse for farm and ranch; the pickup continued to be an off-road favorite, attracting 4-wheelers and tuners looking for a rugged, fun ride.
Cab options ranged from the Supercab extended cab to a 2-door setup, and you'll find the 1981 Ford F150 in its stock colors of red, black, white, gray, yellow, and silver (not to mention some really far-out custom paint jobs!).
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1981 Ford F-150
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by Rob T
Mar 23, 2013
This was my first truck, I bought it off a lawn maintence company and it had a box cap on it, once i took it the cap off I saw how bad the box was, it was wrote off. Engine worked great thoMar 23, 2013
by Doug M
Apr 27, 2012
Built Ford tough and a super reliable engine, and it doesn't even have a timing chain! All gears. Also fantastic low end torque with their rear paired with the 4.9 straight 6. This truck has been pushed to max capability over and over again since it left the lot in 1980 and it's still running strong. Fun and easy to work on, too. No speed demon, that's FOR SURE, but that's not what I have it for.Apr 27, 2012
by Stephen K
Dec 26, 2011
A good truck if there ever was one. Once the tie rods finally started wearing it was
the end of the line. Hauled everything and more. Couldn't kill that 300 straight six.
Once sucked a whole carburetor needle down, kept own running (albeit with extra
throttle). Best vehicle I ever drove.Dec 26, 2011
User rating:
by Rob T
Mar 23, 2013
This was my first truck, I bought it off a lawn maintence company and it had a box cap on it, once i took it the cap off I saw how bad the box was, it was wrote off. Engine worked great thoMar 23, 2013
by Doug M
Apr 27, 2012
Built Ford tough and a super reliable engine, and it doesn't even have a timing chain! All gears. Also fantastic low end torque with their rear paired with the 4.9 straight 6. This truck has been pushed to max capability over and over again since it left the lot in 1980 and it's still running strong. Fun and easy to work on, too. No speed demon, that's FOR SURE, but that's not what I have it for.Apr 27, 2012
by Stephen K
Dec 26, 2011
A good truck if there ever was one. Once the tie rods finally started wearing it was
the end of the line. Hauled everything and more. Couldn't kill that 300 straight six.
Once sucked a whole carburetor needle down, kept own running (albeit with extra
throttle). Best vehicle I ever drove.Dec 26, 2011
by lonnie p
Dec 17, 2011
cant put headers on it not avaible gas guage is inacceriate needs a paint job...love the looks of it dont take it off roading yet 4 wheel drive works good never left me stranted . needs a little more power on the highwayDec 17, 2011
by Anonymous
Nov 27, 2011
overall a great truck that looks beautiful and runs like a dream (that is after you let it warm up, like all other vehicles from the 80's). it has the turning radias of a small yacht, the acceleration of a snail, and gas milage of a tank. still you cant help but Love the heck out of these trucks. Nov 27, 2011
by Jeremy F
Nov 03, 2011
Has been a decent truck for me. Needed some work when I purchased it. Now have it running great and use it almost every day. Has a stock 5.0 engine in it. Have replaced the carb, ignition module, fuel pump and battery. Other than that it is all original.Nov 03, 2011
by Harry B
Sep 25, 2011
great oval all truck only got 119000 original kms. power wise its great its always
got power to spare if i need. great ride just got new shocks and exhaust so its
pretty quiet until you unleash the V8 power. its fits 6 so the family can fit and
the dog. trailer ready no rust ( pics about 2 month old. the body work has just
been redone completely) already pulled a cav outa the ditch. and it was pretty
stuck. an ck 10 tryd and couldn't do it so the ford steptd in and got the job
done with little to no difficulty. its a great drive loads of fun. parking tho its a
little hard with a wheel base of 155 inches so its always fun trying to park lolSep 25, 2011
by Danny M
Oct 11, 2010
its a good truck but since mines really old and kinda sucks mine has its mechanical problems but its also been through hell. its good in the mud but since its 2wd i doesnt do everything i want it to so its a great first carOct 11, 2010
by Russel G
Jun 16, 2010
acceleration(good), braking(vary good), handling (what can i say its a truck as long
a you can drive it hands fine) Build Quality its been rebuilt from bumper to bumper
Cost of Ownership(ya right) Fun Factor i give it a 5 out of 5 Jun 16, 2010
by Anonymous
Nov 05, 2009
The performance is outstanding it has a 460 c.i.d with a
overhauled transmission the acceleration, braking, and
handling goes will smooth. Yes it has needed repairs from the
suspension to the power-steering box but other than that,
thats all it needed. The truck is very fun to drive i usually get
into trouble with it.Nov 05, 2009
by Zachary S
Oct 12, 2009
Appearance: Rusted Body but back in the old days it was amazing
Performance: after 28 years I would say it is indeed amazing
Cost: well mine gets 8 mpg but the new ones get about 25-28 mpg
FUN: most definitely.
Oct 12, 2009
by Jay D
Sep 12, 2008
built like a tank ,it will go anywhere ,needs a lot of cosmetic work,don't get me started on gas mileage,i love this truck even if it is older than myself,it is one of the most fun vehicles i have ever driven(especially in the mud ) i'll drive it til the wheels fall offSep 12, 2008
by Shawn P
Aug 16, 2008
well its a project in progress the box is all rotten now and it need front fenders etc etc.. wicked eng.5.0l 302 ho out of a stang, bought a box off a 96 step side, and 35' tsl boggers, getting a 7' lift right now, its a mud truck. nice and small to turn around in the bush and has bull low 1st gear awsome for climbing.Aug 16, 2008
by Deven P
May 25, 2008
351M, C6 trans, stock 9" Ford rearend, body is in good condition considering the year. Although its a truck, you would be surprised by the execellent handling. The interior is in awesome shape, maybe one or two rips in the seat. The dash cover and both door panels have been painted semi-gloss black. Overall its a very nice and well taken care of truck.May 25, 2008
by Anonymous
May 05, 2008
i have this truk for sale i am looking for a buyer.May 05, 2008
by Michael R
Feb 28, 2008
big block 460 with 36 inch swampersFeb 28, 2008
by Brad S
Jan 08, 2008
Only had 60,000kms and had 3 engines.
4 speed with bull low made it a tank.
Top gear at 60kphJan 08, 2008
What users have asked
Transmission swap
I have a 3-spd A/T on the back of my "300" 6 cyl. I would like to upgrade to an O/D tranny.Anybody know if one will fit and what year I should be looking for ? - Thanks Steve
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What is the RPM when going 55?
I have a 1981 F 150 with the 300 6 & 3 sp auto trans. My question: when it is going 55 what rpm is the motor going? (it has no tach)
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Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 1981 Ford F-150?Compare this car
1981 Ford F-150 Pricing
Original MSRP
$6,765 to $9,681Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Drivetrain
4WD Type: part time
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Drivetrain
4WD Type: part time
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Drivetrain
4WD Type: part time
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Drivetrain
4WD Type: part time
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Drivetrain
4WD Type: part time
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Drivetrain
4WD Type: part time
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Drivetrain
4WD Type: part time
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Drivetrain
4WD Type: part time
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Drivetrain
4WD Type: part time
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth