Ford F-150 1981–1986 car dimensions: 5291 mm long, 1956 mm wide and 1775 mm high. Braked towing is 3,402 kg.
Regular cab seats two or three on a bench with vinyl or cloth trim depending on grade. Air conditioning and cruise control are optional. Power brakes are standard. The cabin has molded door panels, padded armrests, vent windows, and a basic dash with optional radio upgrades from AM to AM/FM cassette or 8-track. No electronic driver aids are listed.
The 8-foot Styleside bed uses double-wall steel construction with a flat floor between the wheelhouses and a removable tailgate. Flareside beds were also offered on shorter lengths.
Maximum conventional towing reaches 7500 lb when fitted with the trailer towing package, suitable engine, axle ratio and cooling upgrades. Payload packages lift capacity to around 2470 lb on a regular-cab Styleside 4x2 with the right tires.
Extra and super engine cooling packages, heavy-duty shocks, front and rear stabilizer bars and payload packages support work and towing use. Twin I-Beam front suspension is standard.
The regular cab offers a full-width bench seat for three with vinyl trim standard or cloth/vinyl on higher grades like Ranger and Lariat. Seats feature foam padding and a folding backrest with manual fore-aft adjustment. Padded armrests come on molded door panels. Higher trims add thick pile carpet, woodgrain dash and door accents, and map pockets. Air conditioning is optional. Power steering is standard. The Twin I-Beam front suspension delivers a smoother ride than solid-axle rivals of the era. Door vent windows and a day/night mirror aid cabin comfort. No rear seats exist in this two-door regular cab configuration.
Standard fuel tanks hold 16 or 19 gallons side-mounted. dual tanks or 38-gallon rear tank optional.
Power brakes standard on all models.
Continuous-loop three-point lap/shoulder belts standard for front outboard seats with warning light and buzzer.
Halogen headlamps standard.
Clutch start interlock added as standard from 1984.
Three-year limited corrosion perforation warranty offered.
Fuel options center on the standard 4.9-liter inline-six or optional 5.0-liter and 5.8-liter V8s, later joined by a 6.9-liter diesel. Side-mounted tanks of 16 or 19 gallons are common, with dual-tank setups or a larger aft-axle tank available for extended range. Overdrive transmissions help highway economy.
Servicing relies on routine owner maintenance. An optional Extended Service Plan covers major components after the base warranty with deductible per visit and includes limited towing aid. Corrosion protection uses galvanized steel and fender liners, backed by a three-year perforation warranty.
Safety equipment includes standard power brakes, three-point belts for outboard front seats, warning lamps, and later a clutch interlock. Halogen lamps improve visibility. No airbags or advanced electronic aids appear. A 30 mph frontal barrier test was run on a 1981 example, but no star ratings are published for the generation.
Keeping the truck means watching for rust at cab corners and fenders despite improved coatings. Parts remain widely available. Regular fluid checks and belt inspections keep the simple mechanicals reliable for work or daily use.
Length 5291 mm, Width 1956 mm, Height 1775 mm, Wheelbase 3378 mm (F-150 1981–1986)
Sources: manufacturer data, 1980 Ford Pickups Brochure FDT-8010 and 1983 Ford Light Truck Facts Book, auto-data.net.