Table of Contents
The Features of the 1990 Ford F150
Ironically, Ford’s slogan for 1991 was, “The best never rest.” Yet, it’s clear that is what Ford was doing with their beloved half-ton pickup truck. Years of wild profits and dynamic sales had made the company afraid to take chances. Ford chose to do only minor tweaks for the Ford F150. While Ford could brag about the quality of their truck (most believed them to be a reliable vehicle), the company angered customers by raising prices for the third straight year.
Overview
Ford did offer the “Nite” package as a new sporty package for the 1991 consumer. Designed to attract young Generation X buyers, it came only on the XLT Lariat and only in black. Multi-colored striping extended down the sides, and a Nite decal adorned the tailgate. Inside, there was a Nite badge plastered above the glove box.
Ford did make electronic touch 4-wheel drive (although delayed). The button inside the cab allowed drivers to shift into 4WD on the fly at any road speed. Many owners loved the new feature, allowing them to venture off-road even more than they had been doing.
Trim Levels and Cab Configurations
Ford kept its same trim levels in 1991 as it had for the entire duration of the eighth-generation F-Series. The Custom level was the base model, the XL was mid-range, and the XLT Lariat was the top-tier. The Nite package was a black XLT Lariat (only available as such) with some cool multi-colored light blue pinstriping.
The truck was offered in Regular or Super Cab (extended cab) configurations, with the choice of a 6 ¾‘ short bed or an 8’ long bed. Two-wheel and four-wheel drive models were available.
Exterior
Ford had abandoned the blacked-out grille that graced the front of early eight-generation trucks (Custom and XL models) and replaced it with three chrome accent strips across the black main grille. The black bump strip adorned the front bumper of the XL and XLT Lariat levels. (The Custom had an argent bumper). EFI badging also appeared under the driver’s side headlight assembly to remind owners that their engines were now electronically controlled.
The general appearance of the eighth-generation trucks appeared smaller, even though that was not the case. (wheelbase is the same on seventh and eighth-gen F150s). As it had for years, Ford kept the straight lines of the F150, which aided wind resistance and fuel economy. Most F150s were Regular Cabs. The Super Cab did offer families more passenger room. A rear bench seat with the option for Captain’s chairs in the front was a popular choice for those owners who could afford the upgrade.
The cargo box was 70 inches wide, bigger than previous generations. Ford could still out tow and outhaul the competition (Ford trumpeted the max payload of 2505 in its 1991 sales brochure and tv advertisements). The total GVWR was still at a max of 6,250 lbs.
For 1991, Ford continued the twelve color choices it had offered the previous year (Raven Black, Colonial White, Dark Silver Metallic, Medium Silver Metallic, Scarlet Red, Cabernet Red, Emerald Green Metallic, Dark Chestnut Metallic, Deep Shadow Blue Metallic, Bright Regatta Blue Metallic, Desert Tan Metallic, and Tan). Most interiors were Charcoal or Light Chestnut, although you could occasionally get a Crystal Blue or Scarlett Red interior if it matched the right paint scheme.
Engine
An electronically fuel-injected motor had become the norm for automobiles and trucks. Ford continued to offer the 4.9L inline-six as the standard, with the 5.0L V8 and the 5.8L V8 as options.
Transmission
The five-speed manual transmission was standard for the F150, while most owners opted for the four-speed automatic.
Ford offered the automatic electric touch drive on 4WD on F150s (5.0 V8 EFI, automatic locking hubs, and automatic transmission were required). The system allowed drivers to shift on the fly from 2WD to 4-wheel high at normal speeds.
Interior and Trim Lines
The interior remained the same in 1991. Ford kept the bulky A-shaped steering wheel with an enlarged instrument panel to aid visibility. Environmental controls were located in the dash center, allowing drivers to reach all controls easily. The center stack did not have a cockpit feel, which Ford wanted. The controls seemed aloof from the rest of the dash.
The Custom trim continued to be the lowest trim level with no frills. The trim featured a vinyl (almost plastic feel) bench seat, black, vinyl steering wheel, and black rubber flooring. While the XL may not have had much, it did come with a standard AM radio. Cloth color-coordinated sun visors were only an option, though.
The XL trim level featured a cloth/vinyl bench seat with matching seatbelts. Wood grain inserts rimmed the instrument panel and comfort/convenience section. Color-key headliners and floor mats were also included.
The XLT Lariat included color-coordinated cloth seats (a vast upgrade from the other trim levels). Rich color-coordinated carpeting stretched over the flooring, and a specially wrapped steering wheel felt soft in drivers’ hands. A dark wood-grain trim permeated the edges of the instrument panel and customer convenience area.
Many other options were available, including dual fuel tanks, air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo with cassette sound system and digital clock, extra insulation to decrease road noise in the cabin, and power locks or windows. Captains Chairs with a center console on the SuperCab models were another option.
What Are The Specs For The 1990 Ford F 150?
What Is a 1991 Ford F 150 Worth Today?
The market for used cars and trucks from the 1990s is increasing. (Note that careful research should be done whenever investing in a classic car or truck). Hagerty states that a 1991 F150 in good condition is worth $11,300. (Vehicles in excellent condition are worth more). For a review of free listings of 1991 F-Series trucks on sale and their vehicle history, see the classiccars.com website.
