1980s F150s parts compatibility
 

Hello,

I've got a 1981 F150 4x4 custom that isn't running and I've just found a 1987 F150 4x4 that is running well... I'm wondering if I can use the 81 as a parts truck for work on the 87 or if there's too much difference. Where would I find out which parts are compatible? They are both standards but I think the 81 is a 5 speed and the 87 is a 4 speed.

Thanks so much! :)

By "not running well" what do you mean? There are parts that will work between the two, but there are quite a few differences. For example, your truck has a carb and the 87 is EFI. Maybe determining the porblem will be the best bet before getting too carried away.

With that said, there are certainly things that you can do here...

The 81 does not run for various reasons, the 87 does run.

I was originally intending to fix the 81 up. I do not own the 87 but it is for sale and seems to run well, I`m considering buying the 87 under the assumption that although it`s currently road-worthy it`s 24 years old so I should probably have a parts truck on hand, if the parts are not compatible between the two I`ll hold with my original plan to put far more work into the 81 than any sane person would and not buy the 87 at all.