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1991 Ford F-150 navigating a rocky off-road trail
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1987-1991 Ford F-150OBS F-150 (1987-1991)

1987–1991 60+ on the wall 22 documents ↓

The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 is the eighth-generation F-Series, an aerodynamic refresh of the cab and body Ford had introduced for 1980. Enthusiasts group the 1987-1991 and 1992-1996 trucks together as OBS, for Old Body Style, because both share that rounded sheet metal before the 1997 redesign. The 1987 Ford F-150 was the first US truck sold with composite (aerodynamic) headlamps in place of sealed-beam units. Electronic fuel injection spread across the engine range during this generation, and rear-wheel antilock brakes were added. The base engine remained the 300-cubic-inch (4.9L) inline-six, with 5.0L and 5.8L V8 options above it.

Other Ford F-150 generations

1975-1979 Ford F-150 1980-1986 Ford F-150 1992-1996 Ford F-150 1997-2003 Ford F-150 2004-2008 Ford F-150 2009-2014 Ford F-150 2015-2020 Ford F-150 2021-2026 Ford F-150

Ford F-150 1987-1991 at a glance

  • Generation: The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 is the eighth-generation F-Series, an aerodynamic refresh of the 1980-1986 body.
  • Nickname: The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 is part of the OBS (Old Body Style) era, shared with the 1992-1996 ninth generation.
  • Headlamps: The 1987 Ford F-150 was the first US truck to use composite (aerodynamic) headlamps rather than sealed-beam units.
  • Fuel injection: The 4.9L inline-six gained electronic fuel injection for 1987 on the Ford F-150; by 1988 the V8s were fuel-injected and no carbureted engine was offered.
  • Brakes: Rear-wheel antilock brakes were added to the Ford F-150 in this generation.
  • Engines: The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 offered the 300-cubic-inch (4.9L) inline-six, the 5.0L V8, and the 5.8L V8.
  • Four-wheel drive: The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 4x4 used the Twin-Traction Beam (TTB) independent front suspension with a Dana 44 front axle.
  • Body styles: The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 was sold as a Regular Cab and a SuperCab, with a Styleside bed; the Flareside stepside bed was dropped for this generation.

Ford F-150 1987-1991 year by year

YearFord F-150 notes
1987The 1987 Ford F-150 launched the eighth generation with an aerodynamic front end and composite headlamps, the first on a US truck. The 4.9L inline-six gained electronic fuel injection. The Flareside stepside bed was dropped.
1988The 1988 Ford F-150 completed the move to fuel injection, with the V8s now fuel-injected and no carbureted engine offered.
1989The 1989 Ford F-150 carried over the eighth-generation body and the fuel-injected engine range.
1990The 1990 Ford F-150 continued the eighth-generation body with the fuel-injected 4.9L inline-six and the 5.0L and 5.8L V8s.
1991The 1991 Ford F-150 was the final year of the eighth generation before the 1992 ninth-generation refresh.

Ford F-150 1987-1991 design and body

The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 kept the cab structure Ford had introduced for 1980 but reworked the front end for lower aerodynamic drag. The 1987 Ford F-150 was the first US truck to use composite headlamps, a flush aerodynamic lens design, instead of the round or rectangular sealed-beam units used before. The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 was sold as a two-door Regular Cab and an extended SuperCab; the Crew Cab body remained an F-250 and F-350 offering rather than an F-150. The Flareside stepside bed was dropped for the 1987 Ford F-150, leaving the smooth-sided Styleside bed; the Flareside returned later, for the 1992 ninth-generation Ford F-150.

Ford F-150 1987-1991 engines

The base engine of the 1987-1991 Ford F-150 was the 300-cubic-inch (4.9L) inline-six. For 1987 it received electronic fuel injection, rated at about 145 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. The 5.0L V8 in the 1987 Ford F-150 was fuel-injected and rated at about 185 horsepower. The 5.8L (351-cubic-inch) V8 was offered in a high-output form rated at about 210 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque. By the 1988 Ford F-150, the V8s were fuel-injected and no carbureted engine was offered, making the 1988 Ford F-150 part of Ford's first all-fuel-injected truck range.

Ford F-150 1987-1991 drivetrain and brakes

The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 was offered in rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. The four-wheel-drive 1987-1991 Ford F-150 used the Twin-Traction Beam (TTB) independent front suspension with a Dana 44 front axle, a layout Ford had introduced on the 1980 F-150 4x4 and which ran through 1996. Manual and automatic transmissions were offered across the 1987-1991 Ford F-150, including a five-speed manual with overdrive and a four-speed automatic with overdrive. The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 added rear-wheel antilock brakes, which apply only to the rear axle and are intended to keep the rear wheels from locking under hard braking on a lightly loaded pickup.

Ford F-150 1987-1991 trims

The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 was sold in a range running from a base work trim up through XLT Lariat, with Custom, XL, and XLT Lariat among the levels used in this period. Each trim was available in Regular Cab and SuperCab forms, and in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, across the 1987-1991 Ford F-150 range.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the 1987-1991 Ford F-150 called OBS?

OBS stands for Old Body Style. The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 and the 1992-1996 Ford F-150 share the rounded body that preceded the 1997 redesign, so enthusiasts group both under the OBS name.

Was the 1987 Ford F-150 really the first US truck with composite headlamps?

Yes. The 1987 Ford F-150 was the first US truck to use composite (aerodynamic) headlamps, replacing sealed-beam units as part of the aerodynamic front end of the eighth-generation F-Series.

When did the Ford F-150 V8s get fuel injection in this generation?

The 4.9L inline-six in the 1987 Ford F-150 gained electronic fuel injection for 1987. By the 1988 Ford F-150, the V8s were fuel-injected as well, and no carbureted engine was offered.

What front suspension did the 1987-1991 Ford F-150 4x4 use?

The four-wheel-drive 1987-1991 Ford F-150 used the Twin-Traction Beam (TTB) independent front suspension with a Dana 44 front axle.

Did the 1987-1991 Ford F-150 offer a Flareside bed?

No. The Flareside stepside bed was dropped for the 1987 Ford F-150 and did not return until the 1992 ninth-generation Ford F-150. The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 used the smooth-sided Styleside bed.

Sources

By the SuperMotors Editorial Team · Last updated June 2026 · Spotted an error? Suggest a correction

Asked all the time

Why is the 1987-1991 Ford F-150 called OBS?

OBS stands for Old Body Style. The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 and the 1992-1996 Ford F-150 share the rounded body that preceded the 1997 redesign, so enthusiasts group both under the OBS name.

Was the 1987 Ford F-150 really the first US truck with composite headlamps?

Yes. The 1987 Ford F-150 was the first US truck to use composite (aerodynamic) headlamps, replacing sealed-beam units as part of the aerodynamic front end of the eighth-generation F-Series.

When did the Ford F-150 V8s get fuel injection in this generation?

The 4.9L inline-six in the 1987 Ford F-150 gained electronic fuel injection for 1987. By the 1988 Ford F-150, the V8s were fuel-injected as well, and no carbureted engine was offered.

What front suspension did the 1987-1991 Ford F-150 4x4 use?

The four-wheel-drive 1987-1991 Ford F-150 used the Twin-Traction Beam (TTB) independent front suspension with a Dana 44 front axle.

Did the 1987-1991 Ford F-150 offer a Flareside bed?

No. The Flareside stepside bed was dropped for the 1987 Ford F-150 and did not return until the 1992 ninth-generation Ford F-150. The 1987-1991 Ford F-150 used the smooth-sided Styleside bed.

Technical Reference

Member-uploaded diagrams & documents for this generation. AI-classified; community-verified where badged.

Wiring Diagrams (8)

Service Procedures (5)

Exploded Parts (4)

Vacuum Routing (1)

Schematics (2)

Manual Pages (1)

Blueprints (1)

The wall · registered 1987–1991 F-150s

Sorted by depth of documentation. Click any vehicle to open its permanent record.

1991 Ford F-150 navigating a rocky off-road trail“Seemore”1991 F-150 · seemoremud314 photos Windows desktop wallpaper of a lifted grey Ford pickup on a rocky trail, front three-quarter view“Project Lazarus - sold”1987 F-150 · Dave Beverly218 photos 1988 Ford F-150 grille section, showing horizontal bars and a blue emblem“The parts fetcher”1988 F-150 · bluecrew210 photos White Ford F-150 with large off-road tires and lifted suspension, front view1990 F-1501990 F-150 · FullSizeF150198 photos Black Ford F-150 pickup truck, lifted, with a chrome bumper and a blue Ford emblem on the grille1989 F-1501989 F-150 · Joe01Bass184 photos Black 1991 Ford F-150 with custom orange and red flame paint on hood and fender“FIRE F-150”1991 F-150 · Tom Pugh154 photos Blue and silver Ford Bronco with roof rack stuck axle-deep in soft beach sand“Forditude?”1989 F-150 · Al Stu140 photos Rear axle with missing tire and brake drum. 1989 Ford F-150“Stockie”1989 F-150 · ogeechee4x4123 photos Front view of a red Ford F-Series truck with a red grille and a black hood“DANBED2002”1988 F-150 · DANBED2002120 photos 1991 Ford F-150 front view with '91 sticker on windshield and '4x4' badge on fender“P.O.S.”1991 F-150 · JustGeorge81 photos Mud-covered Ford pickup truck stuck in a muddy wooded trail“Rustette ”1988 F-150 · l67cooled73 photos Red and gray Ford F-150 truck, front fender and wheel visible, parked on asphalt“victor”1989 F-150 · mopete168 photos 1990 Ford F-150 front grille with a winch, a blue Ford badge, and a headlight“Black Dog”1990 F-150 · Kris30268 photos Red and white Ford F-150 truck, front view, with a chrome grille and amber turn signals1988 F-1501988 F-150 · shomaneric158 photos Dark green Ford F-150 long-bed pickup with camper shell parked on gravel, front three-quarter view“Grandpas Truck”1989 F-150 · Krisverde56 photos keyboard with grass growing out of the keys, sticky note on top right1987 F-1501987 F-150 · big-d51 photos Blue hot rod snowmobile with a large V8 engine sitting on a frozen, snow-covered landscape“Plow truck”1989 F-150 · memphisrain51 photos Car hood and windshield wipers in darkness, with bright lights illuminating a blue tarp and a white structure1990 F-1501990 F-150 · SomeDude45150 photos White 1990 Ford F-150 front grille with Ford logo“Boydz Toy”1990 F-150 · Boydz-Toy46 photos Maroon and silver Ford pickup truck, front 3/4 view, parked on grass“Ol Red”1990 F-150 · 73Mav30246 photos Red 1991 Ford F-150 with custom bumper and aftermarket wheels, front view1991 F-1501991 F-150 · CrazyBRONCOguy39 photos 1989 Ford F-150 rear wheel well, frame, and exhaust pipe visible“Ole Faithful”1989 F-150 · SCRebel39 photos Dark blue 1990 Ford F-150 pickup truck parked on a driveway“Old Betsy”1990 F-150 · HisDudeness36 photos Red 1987 Ford F-150 front view, parked under a tree1990 F-1501990 F-150 · 1990Moose36 photos 1988 Ford F-150 tailgate with red lights and a chrome bumper. License plate reads 'EXF 1868'“FOXX HUNT”1988 F-150 · Bill Dvorak33 photos 1988 Ford F-150 grille with Ford emblem“Big Bad Banana”1988 F-150 · Phil Egnatz32 photos Red 1987 Ford F-150 pickup truck with a brush guard and roll bar parked in a lot. Black pickup truck in background“The Mule”1987 F-150 · Adrianspeeder30 photos Maroon 1990 Ford F-150 fender and engine bay, front passenger side view, damaged“after wreck”1990 F-150 · cory keck26 photos Dark blue Ford F-150 regular cab long bed pickup, 3/4 front view on gravel by brick house“ol dad”1990 F-150 · Jason Rich26 photos Black 1987 Ford F-150 rear bumper with chrome exhaust pipe. Visible tire and concrete ground1987 F-1501987 F-150 · wuzz-upp25 photos Close-up of a rusty metal bracket attached to a truck's frame, with a tire visible1991 F-1501991 F-150 · John Nantz25 photos White 1991 Ford F-150 pickup truck with a grille guard1991 F-1501991 F-150 · schneiderman22 photos Front of red Ford truck with chrome grille and Ford oval, parked inside a shop“Stimpy the Truck”1989 F-150 · PatsPOS21 photos Pickup truck with red front fender and white rear, custom graphics, roll bar, and off-road tires“The Big Truck”1988 F-150 · Dunk0420 photos Dark Ford F-150 regular cab long bed pickup, side view, in a wintry yard.“BLUE”1991 F-150 · freddiejb8618 photos Ford pickup truck bed loaded with automotive parts including axles and driveshafts.1988 F-1501988 F-150 · Vochy16 photos Two red Ford pickups on gravel, one lifted 4x4, near a wood-framed building under construction.“The Big Truck”1990 F-150 · Bossmankx14 photos Close-up of internal transmission gears and components, with a Craftsman flashlight illuminating the area1990 F-1501990 F-150 · bshort0913 photos White lifted Ford F-150 pickup on muddy tires, front three-quarter view inside a metal shed1988 F-1501988 F-150 · lindsay rosenblatt13 photos Side view of a 1988 Ford F-150 pickup truck with camouflage paint and tall exhaust stack“The Bitch”1988 F-150 · FullSize90Roller12 photos Front view of a 1987 Ford F-150 covered in snow, parked on blocks. Another vehicle is visible to the right“Rusty ”1988 F-150 · KC20078712 photos White Ford pickup engine bay with V8, red cone air filter, and white brake reservoir, hood open.1991 F-1501991 F-150 · gdub41512 photos Side view of two-tone maroon and cream Ford F-150 pickup on gravel driveway“Roscoe Rocket”1989 F-150 · frostynels11 photos 1988 Ford F-150 pickup truck, side view1988 F-1501988 F-150 · Broncojake11 photos Red and white extended-cab pickup truck parked on driveway, front three-quarter view“Big Dog”1989 F-150 · Shawn D11 photos Silver single-cab pickup at night with headlights and roof marker lights on, front 3/4 view“Renee”1988 F-150 · hindustanhick10 photos Front view of blue Ford pickup truck on a driveway“lacy”1990 F-150 · RedThunder949 photos F-350 Super Duty diesel charge/power distribution wiring diagram page 20 with fuse links“Truck”1988 F-150 · bbarcher9 photos Clutch disc with springs and splined hub“old blue”1989 F-150 · Firetech8 photos Front of dark Ford 4x4 pickup with hood up, chrome grille and Ford oval emblem1991 F-1501991 F-150 · Crazz8 photos Circuit board with numerous resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits. Text reads 'SUPERMOTORS'“black beast”1987 F-150 · threezenuff8 photos close-up of rusty suspension parts and shock absorbers“"Blackie"”1989 F-150 · snorklecookie8 photos Snow-covered silver steel wheel with rusty hub and all-terrain tire1988 F-1501988 F-150 · Ryan Churchill8 photos Silver Ford pickup with black hood bra parked on gravel by a mossy hillside1987 F-1501987 F-150 · Thrandur Arnthorsson8 photos Black 1988 Ford F-150 pickup truck in autumn setting with fallen leaves.1988 F-1501988 F-150 · Mike Polkki7 photos Maroon and white pickup truck, 3q-front view. Matches 1989 Ford F-1501989 F-1501989 F-150 · Booba51857 photos Red 1991 Ford F-150 pickup truck parked on grass, side view1991 F-1501991 F-150 · firemanmike697 photos 1990 F-1501990 F-150 · bshort096 photos Red pickup truck, side view, showing door, mirror, and rear wheel. Chrome trim accents the body1990 F-1501990 F-150 · austinlittle346 photos Engine control unit circuit board with red circles around capacitors and resistors. Text on top reads EEC-IV EFI-5047J1991 F-1501991 F-150 · FrenchF1505 photos
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