The ‘80s was one of the most important decades for Ford trucks. It was the first time in a long time that the company had any type of technological push. Electric doors and windows were introduced in the seventh generation of the F-100 trucks, as well as embracing the need for a more aerodynamic ride. Ford trucks had a complete remodel from the ground up, along with discontinuing the use of the bigger motors and swaying more towards the Windsor styles.
Chevrolet trucks also had some meaningful changes for their lines. In 1988 they introduced four-wheel drive on the fly, which is commonplace today. They also started placing independent front suspension in all their trucks, starting in the same year. Chevy had already redesigned their trucks for more aerodynamic driving in the ‘70s so no major changes occurred to the outer appeal.
Ford and Chevrolet continued to compete for dominance in the '80s, making changes to get ahead of each other. During this decade there were a few standouts from both carmakers, which are as follows.
11 Greatest Ford: 1983 Ranger
The 1983 was manufactured to replace the Courier which was a Mazda-based mini truck. It is one of the best trucks that Ford made in the ’80s because it was the first small truck offered to the public with the Ranger name attached to it. This was also the beginning point for building the Explorer through the Bronco II, which was built from the same basic design as the Ranger.
The original truck came out of the factory with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but two other options were available. One was a diesel-powered four-cylinder and the other was a gas-powered six-cylinder which produced more power and torque. Another major change from the Courier was that the 1983 Ford Ranger offered a six-foot or seven-foot bed so it could be used as a truck.
10 Greatest Ford: 1985 F-150
The 1984 model year may look like the same old truck from the previous years, but the differences are under the hood. The stock F-150 came with a choice of engines. The basic 4.9-liter six-cylinder and then the 5.0-liter that was the main go-to engine. It could also come with two different 5.8-liter engines. One a basic build and the other a high output that pushed more horsepower and torque.
The biggest change that makes this one of the best trucks of the ‘80s is that it was the first year to get a fuel-injected system on the 5.0-liter. Not many changes were made to the exterior of the truck because Ford was preparing to do another complete overhaul of the truck in a couple of years.
9 Greatest Ford: 1987 Bigfoot Cruiser
In 1987, a tribute to the highest-profile truck on the monster truck circuit was created by Ford. The truck itself was not a monster, but it was innovative and risky for a truck in the ‘80s. It came with a lifted suspension straight from the factory. The truck was also fitted with 33-inch aftermarket wheels and tires, making it one-of-a-kind back then, and subsequently one of the greatest.
Many of the first trucks sold had chrome rollbars with lights installed, and a winch on the front in case it was needed while out playing in the mud or snow. This year had a unique decal placed in the middle of each door, with blue and silver stripes running down the length of both sides. Today, the 1987 Ford Bigfoot Cruiser is one of the rarest trucks on the planet.
8 Greatest Ford: 1988 Ranger GT
1987-1989 the Ranger GT was produced to test out the waters of outer appearance decals and ground effects, just like the Mustang that was sold at the same time. The truck came with a 2.9-liter V6 that had plenty of power for a small truck but was not even close to being a beast on the streets.
The Ford Ranger GT has been labeled as one of the best because of its unique style and great mileage for a truck back in the ‘80s. The interior was decked out with bucket seats, power windows and locks, a tilt steering wheel, and even a full instrument panel cluster, which was just becoming a widespread practice. This truck is indeed one for the history books.
7 Greatest Ford: 1989 F-150
The F-150 ended the '80s era as the leading truck sold throughout the nation. All models in 1989 came with automatic locking hubs for the four-wheel-drive system, with manual hubs being an option for consumers. It came with three choices of engines; a 4.9-liter six-cylinder, a 5.0-liter, and a 5.8-liter.
It may seem like the trucks from previous years, and it is in most ways. However, the eight-generation truck had new styling and more power options. The Lariat trim is the reason that it is one of the best of the ‘80s. It came with an updated interior to become one of the most luxurious trucks of the time.
6 Greatest Chevrolet: 1981 C-10 Stepside Sport
The Stepside Sport was a special edition truck that came with any V8 engine wanted, all the way up to a 454 with a four-barrel carburetor installed on it. The outer style changed in 1981 to a multi-colored paint to make it stand out. If you wanted some power along with a unique look this was the truck to have in the ’80s.
When a truck stands out from the others it becomes a model that consumers want, even today. The reason that it is one of the best is that it is a third edition C10 that is sought after by collectors and modifiers today. They can be built into offroad beasts or street monsters without much modification.
5 Greatest Chevrolet: 1984 Sno Chaser
The Sno Chaser was a Chevy designed for use in areas where snow was a problem for drivers. It came stock with all-wheel drive and custom tires. The most distinguishing features that this truck had were truck bedside rails and cab spoilers. The paint on the bottom half of the 1984 Sno Chaser, which was a different color than the rest of the truck, had a compound in it that made it more durable.
This truck is one of the rarest from the era, which is the main reason why it is included in this list. There are no set numbers when it comes to how many were purchased, but it is low enough to make it a collector’s dream. When they are found, rust has set in because of the locations driven in, but they can be restored with some time and effort.
4 Greatest Chevrolet: 1987 R/V
The 1987 Chevy truck was the last of the square body trucks. It boasted a computer-controlled ignition and throttle body injection. It gets on this list because it was the last of the body design, but the first of the R/V designation. It is just a change to distinguish these trucks from the upcoming launch of the new series in the following year.
The 1987 R/V was a four-wheel-drive truck that came with a number of different engine options, chrome bumpers, and an upgraded interior. The dashboard incorporated gauge-style instruments, while the steering was upgraded to power steering units. The finishing touch was air conditioning and cruise control, making it a luxury truck amid the shift from work trucks to daily drivers.
3 Greatest Chevrolet: 1988 C/K
The 1988 Chevy was the first of the fourth generation of the brand's pickups, which is the main reason that it is on this list. It was the first year to get four-wheel drive on the fly, and independent front suspension became standard on all C/K trucks. A 5.7-liter engine came with it off the production line, but other options were available.
This generation of truck has been designated as the “old body style” by most truck enthusiasts. The overall design was meant for use with trucks, but the same style and chassis became the go-to build for future SUV’s. It is another one of those trucks that collectors and modifiers jump at when given the chance.
2 Greatest Chevrolet: 1989 S-10 Baja
The 1989 Baja was a trim style that was designed for off-road use. It came with a roll bar and lights, a front tubular grille with lights attached, a tubular rear bumper, and upgrades underneath to protect the engine and drivetrain components. The truck was finished off with Baja decals and striping down the side on both sides.
The Baja is one of the greatest Chevys of the ‘80s for a couple of reasons. First off, it was a small truck that was designed for heavy off-road use. Secondly, it is an S-10 and is one of the most modified trucks on the market because it is so easy to work on and upgrades are cheap and easy to install.
1 Final Thoughts
The ‘80s was a decade that brought on big hair, cultural changes, and of course great music and movies. It was not as well known when it came to trucks and their designs, but many things did change in the vehicle manufacturing industry.
Engines became more fuel-efficient while still having the power to play on or off-road. Technological advances allowed trucks to become more dependent upon computers and electrical devices. Trucks also started shifting more towards being daily drivers with less focus on work. Overall, this decade was the beginning of the end for trucks designed strictly for work, not counting the heavy-duty versions still designed for the task.