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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.

Red 1987 Ford F-150 pickup truck with camper shell, 3q-front view“red”1987 F-150 · easttexmuddin5 photos Underside view of truck suspension and frame over grass1987 F-1501987 F-150 · FOXWS65 photos Reddish-brown Ford regular-cab pickup parked on gravel near a road, 3/4 front view.“Big Red”1989 F-150 · Nick Smith5 photos Lifted dark gray Ford F-150 extended cab pickup with roof lights and off-road tires parked on grass under trees1988 F-1501988 F-150 · 88XLTLariat4 photos Two-tone silver and blue full-size pickup truck, side view, parked on gravel by trees.“Bitch”1988 F-150 · fordlover934 photos 1988 Ford F-150 rear axle, differential, and suspension components visible“Big Red”1988 F-150 · MattKirkpatrick4 photos Stack of four tires with one aluminum alloy wheel visible1991 F-1501991 F-150 · Greg Senser4 photos Interior shot of a truck's dashboard, steering wheel, and ribbed seat1987 F-1501987 F-150 · Kevin Stokes4 photos White 1991 Ford F-150 pickup truck parked in a desert landscape“Troca blanca”1991 F-150 · Krisverde3 photos Black Ford F-150 pickup truck with a black camper shell towing a white and blue boat on a trailer“LAB HAB II”1989 F-150 · WD403 photos Lifted dark blue Ford pickup truck with large tires parked in front of a house1991 F-1501991 F-150 · BigDumbFord3 photos Two white Ford pickups parked outdoors, man working under right truck's open hood, calico cat in foreground“as of yet unnamed.”1991 F-150 · christyjean3 photos Red and white Ford F-150 truck, 3q-front view, parked in front of a garage“big red”1989 F-150 · oakwith3 photos Two pickup trucks parked at a construction site. One is maroon, the other is red and lifted“The Little Truck”1991 F-150 · Bossmankx3 photos 1987 Ford F-150 with a man in a tuxedo leaning on the front fender1987 F-1501987 F-150 · Dan M3 photos Light blue Ford pickup parked under carport, child and snowman in snowy foreground“My Hunting Beast”1991 F-150 · Eric Vogel3 photos Blue air compressor with Cummins NY PD sticker“Truck”1991 F-150 · Joelfke2 photos close-up of a boat's red and white hull with a black trim piece and a tire visible underneath1988 F-1501988 F-150 · firemarshalmike2 photos 1988 Ford F-150 truck side view, gray paint, toy horse in bed1988 F-1501988 F-150 · Redrocket902 photos Blue lifted Ford F-250 single-cab pickup on a driveway“big blue”1990 F-150 · colinfredette2 photos Maroon and tan pickup truck, 3q front view. Another vehicle is parked behind it1988 F-1501988 F-150 · kpate2 photos 1991 Ford F-150 pickup truck parked on a rocky trail with autumn trees in the background“Old Girl”1991 F-150 · Donald Lehr2 photos 1989 Ford F-150 3q-front view, light blue, large tires1989 F-1501989 F-150 · Mudslinger892 photos Red 1988 Ford F-150 pickup truck, side view1988 F-1501988 F-150 · Wade Stanley2 photos Front view of lifted brown and tan Ford 4x4 SUV with billet grille parked on suburban street1989 F-1501989 F-150 · Jarred Ellison2 photos Brown 1980s Ford extended-cab 4x4 pickup truck parked, side view“Winter Beater”1989 F-150 · E. Long2 photos Red pickup truck parked on gravel with a house and hills in background. F-150 badge visible“$400 Ford”1989 F-150 · idaho1 photo Black Ford F-150 extended-cab pickup, 3/4 front driver-side view, parked on pavement1991 F-1501991 F-150 · 1991f15050l1 photo 1990 Ford F-150 side view, black with camper shell“timex”1990 F-150 · 90fordf150centurian1 photo 1987 Ford F-150 pickup truck, two-tone paint, parked outside1987 F-1501987 F-150 · acornl1 photo Maroon 1987 Ford F-150 front view under carport“Clifford”1987 F-150 · P X1 photo Engine wiring harness connectors with visible text on a hose“Dam Ford”1989 F-150 · zhmmy1 photo Dark green lifted Ford F-150 single-cab 4x4 pickup with brush guard and winch on sand“Get off my lawn”1988 F-150 · samr1 photo 1987 Ford F-150 pickup truck parked on grass, side view“traded”1987 F-150 · freddiejb861 photo Front view of a gray Ford pickup truck with a brush guard and a sun visor1991 F-1501991 F-150 · 91xltlariat1 photo Close-up of a vehicle's wiring harness with red and black wires, a finger is touching a black cable“brutus”1991 F-150 · 91supercab4x41 photo Two-tone Ford F-150 pickup truck, lifted with off-road tires, parked in a driveway next to a trailer and garage1989 F-1501989 F-150 · pathagrean1 photo Brown and white Ford F-250 extended-cab pickup on gravel1989 F-1501989 F-150 · broncoblues1 photo Lifted pickup truck, looks like a Ford F-series from the late 80s1989 F-1501989 F-150 · 76broncoholic1 photo Red Ford pickup with 4x4 badge parked on gravel near trees and a low building, slightly blurry“Big Red”1991 F-150 · nitejohn1 photo Red and silver 1990 Ford F-150 pickup truck parked outdoors, with another vehicle partially visible in the foreground1990 F-1501990 F-150 · pajhns61 photo Silver and gray two-tone Ford F-150 lifted pickup truck parked on grass1989 F-1501989 F-150 · 4x4_Racer1 photo Dark green Ford F-150 with red Western snow plow and roof light bar in snowy lot“The Pig”1988 F-150 · Bob Chirempes1 photo Hand-drawn snorkel plans on graph paper with a labeled checklist and sketches“Billy Bad Ass”1988 F-150 · Phil Egnatz1 photo 1988 F-1501988 F-150 · cagedangel30 photos “Scarlett ”1988 F-150 · wolfpackFord0 photos 1989 F-1501989 F-150 · Cujo0 photos “worm”1990 F-150 · FisherFord0 photos “Tool Collector”1989 F-150 · Cadmandu0 photos 1989 F-1501989 F-150 · swagman19890 photos “Lariat XLT 5.0L”1990 F-150 · Stur0 photos 1991 F-1501991 F-150 · leroy19910 photos “BEAST”1990 F-150 · DLESTER560 photos 1989 F-1501989 F-150 · Bonestock890 photos “Work in Progress”1991 F-150 · lthomas4600 photos “Beast”1990 F-150 · LMB0 photos “in progress”1991 F-150 · jonjohn21810 photos “Cride”1988 F-150 · SanFordisco0 photos 1990 F-1501990 F-150 · Pickles87880 photos “POS”1988 F-150 · DAW0 photos
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