“Chevy and GMC featured the dually prominently in advertising rather than hidden among the specifications on the back page of truck brochures. It announced to the world the owner had some compelling outside interests and needs be it trailering horses or dragsters, or sliding on the camper for weekend getaways. It took Ford until 1980 to counter with a fendered dually.”  Motorbiscuit.com

For consignment, a 1986 Ford F350 XL long bed dually pickup with a title verified 44,689 actual miles. This is a once family truck, purchased new by our consignor’s uncle who never drove it during winter. With some consternation over the reliability of modern full sized trucks, many people are looking for old school, well preserved examples. Your bingo card just filled up!

Exterior

Maybe it’s the bull bar or the bullnose front, the cab lights, or the fantastically flared rear fenders, but this is one tough looking truck. When Ford’s maxim was “built tough” this is what they had in mind! The Raven Black and Bright Canyon Red coverage accentuates the shape and the cap on the bed extends the overall size and height. A heavy duty diamond steel rear bumper means business and the aluminum tailgate trim plate dresses this work truck up just enough. The eight lug 16-inch steel wheels carry 85 series tires and there are a few spares in the bed which is painted black and use C-clamps to hold the cap.  There’s some light patina but in general, the exterior is in fantastic condition.

Interior

Those red exterior panels influence the inside where red plastic door panels with carpeted lowers finish the doors nicely and window cranks remind you you haven’t left the 80’s yet, and that’s two less electric motors to repair. Demonstrating the low miles is the bench seat, in red vinyl, in really nice shape, while the open floor is covered in a rubberized mat instead of carpet, proving this truck’s built for work status. Simulated burlwood is used on the steering wheel, here with some patina fade marks, and around the instrument cluster, a simple analog arrangement that includes a central tachometer and a row of rectangular idiot lights above. Like the outside, square edges are definitely a theme here. An AM/FM/CD player now resides in the radio slot, and an A/C panel uses levers instead of touch screens and buttons, old school style. The red felt headliner is clean and intact and the rear window is a slider.

Drivetrain

Dual batteries highlight a driver quality engine bay where we find a 6.9 liter diesel V8 rated at 170 horsepower, fuel injected and married to a C6 3-speed automatic transmission routing power through 3.55 gears in back.

Undercarriage

Not driving in snow has resulted in a relatively clean and definitely rust free underside, other than some typical surface stuff. Power brakes are onboard as front disc and rear drum, and suspension consists of radius arm and coil spring in front with leaf springs in the rear. The single exhaust runs through a stock style muffler and exits through a steel pipe out back.

Drive-ability

If a Bronco and semi had a baby, it would be this 350. Large but entirely manageable and fender lights adorn the wide hips to keep you, and others on the road, minded of the width at night. The diesel runs well and the truck tracks straight providing a smooth ride as you peer over the long hood. We note the A/C and reverse lights are not working and the brake pedal is a bit soft. Beyond that, all functional items work as intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

Clean, straight, and analog, this F350 represents big 80’s trucks at their best. We took them for granted back then and when technology and computers took over, we forgot all about them. That is, until the technology and engine management systems became burdensome, expensive, and not exactly reliable. Now these old school trucks are not only in vogue, but they’re being put back into service. Here’s a low mileage example ready to report for duty!

Inquire today on Fourbie Exchange, or visit the dealer’s website for more information