1986 Ford Trucks

In response to the surprisingly popular Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager minivans introduced by Chrysler Corporation in 1984, Ford brought out the Aerostar for 1986. Being built on a rear-wheel-drive Ford truck frame, the Aerostar was closer to a traditional van than the front-drive/unibody Chryslers, and that -- along with its available V-6 -- gave it a higher towing capacity.

1986 also brought a new name to Ford's medium-duty truck lineup: the Cargo. Unusual in that it carried a name rather than a series designation, it was referred to as a "low tilt cab," although the cab was in fact rather tall.

Designed around European styling themes, the Cargo was intended to replace the boxy ´50s-vintage C-Series Tilt Cab -- still in production -- but the two were sold side-by-side through the end of the decade. Also new that year was a SuperCab version of the Ford Ranger pickup truck.

1986 Ford F-150 pickup truck, the best-selling vehicle in the US that year
1986 Ford F-150

With the F-150 firmly ensconced as the best-selling vehicle in the U.S., there was little reason to change it for 1986 -- and Ford didn't.

1986 heavy-duty Cab-Over-Engine Ford truck
1986 CLT-9000

Newly offered on Ford's heavy-duty Cab-Over-Engine truck models for 1986 were aftercooler systems that coaxed more power and better fuel economy out of their diesel engines. Available options now included a chrome front bumper and exterior-mounted sun visor (both fitted to the CLT-9000 shown above), along with a Jacobs Engine Brake. A "Jake Brake," as it was often called, used the engine's compression to help slow the vehicle when coming to a stop.

1986 SuperCab Ford Ranger pickup truck
1986 SuperCab Ford Ranger

Ranger offered a SuperCab body style for 1986 that added 17 inches to the back of the truck's cab. A pair of rear jump seats was optional. SuperCab trucks came only with a six-foot bed, while regular cabs also offered a seven-footer.

Newly available on the base Ranger S was a 2.0-liter four, while other models came with a 2.3-liter four or new fuel-injected 2.9-liter V-6 engine. Also offered that year -- but rarely ordered -- was a 2.3-liter turbodiesel. Four-wheel-drive Rangers got a new "shift-on-the-fly" system in 1986. The V-6 and diesel engines, along with the 4x4 system, were shared with the Ranger's Bronco II stablemate.

The long-awaited redesigns for Bronco and Ford's light-duty F-Series trucks arrived in 1987. Click to the next page to check them out.

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