It's the '80s — the decade of Pac-Man, Air Jordans, shoulder pads, Cabbage Patch Kids, big phones, pastel suits, Rubik's cube, Yuppies, and big hair. Although the '90s denotes America's full-blown love affair with pickup trucks, the '80s was where the "flirting" all began.
During this timeline, pickup trucks were regarded as service vehicles that came in clutch for hauling heavy loads. Unlike today's well-sculptured iterations, pickups in the '80s were characterized by a boxy aesthetic — taking things further with huge tires and powerful engines.
Back then, Japanese pickup trucks ruled the markets, offering reliable and powerful variations to interested gearheads at a budget-friendly MSRP. As such, American automakers like Dodge, Ford, and Chevrolet made concerted efforts to manufacture alternatives that could compete favorably. The result? An influx of tough pickup trucks. Therefore, it's unsurprising that multiple nameplates went relatively unnoticed during their short stint.
But can pickup trucks that plied the highways back in the '80s take to today's streets? Our answer's a loud yes! Although they might not rank as the most beautiful, they've got the performance and reliability levels that'll see you embark on trips and towing endeavors without hassles. And the best part? You can find these trucks at affordable prices.
If you're looking to go retro with '80s pickup trucks, we'll outline 10 options that you can key into in 2023. Let's dive in!
10 1983 Jeep J10
The Jeep J10 had a stellar reputation during its lifespan (1972 to 1988). This pickup truck could weave through diverse terrains seamlessly. With all its merits, many gearheads still wonder why Jeep discontinued this model in the first place. Quickly, let's dive into the J10's main attributes.
Manufactured on the big Jeep (Wagoneer) SJ platform, the Jeep J10 shares semblance with the Jeep Cherokee and Wagoneer, offering the traditional step-side or slab-sided bodies. This stellar pickup truck was offered in three unique trims — Golden Eagle, Honcho, and 10-4.
During the Jeep J10's peak years, the standard engine was a 4.2-liter six-cylinder format that could put out 112 horses and 210 lb-ft of torque. However, it's pertinent to note that V8 options were also available, including the 175-horsepower 5.9-liter variant that produced 245 lb-ft of torque, a 195-horsepower 5.9-liter that could put out 295 lb-ft of torque, and a 225-horsepower variant that could generate 295 lb-ft of torque.
The Jeep J10 also had a great loading capacity. With 1983 models incorporating the revolutionary 4WD Selec-Trac system, this pickup truck showcased impeccable handling and performance. As such, it's an excellent alternative to buy today and dominate the streets (in a classic way).
9 1981-1986 Jeep Scrambler
Another Jeep on the roll? Yes. The automaker is revered for curating automobiles that can outlast any challenge. And the 1981-1986 Jeep Scrambler (CJ-8) resonates with this standard — 40 years on, it still remains a classic that'll fare nicely on today's tarmacs.
Incorporating a 103-inch wheelbase and an extensive overhang at the rear, the Scrambler was comfortable to ride in and had sufficient cargo space. What's even better? This pickup truck could go through boulders and rocky terrains without its inner workings disintegrating.
Performance-wise, the Jeep Scrambler makes a statement with a four-cylinder engine valued at 82 horses and 125 lb-ft of torque. However, there was an optional 115-horsepower six-cylinder engine; for 1981 models exclusively, a V8 engine rated at 150 horses was featured.
The Jeep Scrambler also earned popularity in unusual territory, as US President — Ronald Reagan — was usually seen in a blue Scrambler riding around the "Rancho Del Cielo." However, the Jeep Scrambler ranks as one of the most underappreciated pickup trucks of the '80s, with only 27,792 iterations ever manufactured.
8 1982-1984 Dodge Rampage
Dodge has evolved its pickup line over the years. In 1982, the automaker manufactured a pristine variant tagged the "Dodge Rampage." This car-like pickup truck had a funny-looking aesthetic that would most definitely earn a place on our list of weirdest cars ever manufactured.
To accommodate a standard pickup bed, the Dodge Rampage had an extended wheelbase that was 104 inches long. With this structure, the Rampage could tow up to 750 lbs and hold cargo valued at 1,000 lbs.
The 1982-1984 Dodge Rampage also boasts a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine that could put out 84 horses under the hood. Although the Dodge Rampage didn't have the looks and performance to lure in buyers in the '80s, it's a collector's item today that'll suit your garage and take you on adventures without any hassles whatsoever.
7 1987 Ford F-250 Bigfoot Cruiser
The 1987 Ford F-250 Bigfoot Cruiser was Ford's idea of marketing Bod Chandler's tweaked F-250 that featured a reinforced axle and incredibly large tires. This creation was infamously tagged "Bigfoot." For the 1987 Ford F-250 Bigfoot Cruiser, the automaker rekindled Chandler's 1975 creation as a special F-250 package that integrated "Bigfoot" graphics, a three-inch lift, heavy-duty shocks, off-road lighting, and 33-inch tires.
Although this would've been a great marketing ploy implemented by Ford, issues arose as sold trucks were recalled due to fires stemming from the cruise control units. This singular problem blemished the nameplate. As such, Ford only produced 300 units of the 1987 Ford F-250 Bigfoot Cruiser.
However, "recalled" and repaired 1987 Ford F-250 Bigfoot Cruisers are available in the market today. And if you'd like to power through the streets with people staring in amazement, this automobile has the form factor and performance (a 7.5-liter EFI engine that generates 460 horses) bound to realize this commitment.
6 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota
The Dodge Shelby Dakota alongside the Lil Red Express kick-started the pickup truck trend for numerous gearheads. The 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota was the brainchild of Carroll Shelby — an automotive designer credited with stellar creations like the Shelby Mustang GT350R and Ford GT40. And his input on a pickup truck only meant one thing — exhilarating performance.
Well, the 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota didn't disappoint when it came to raw power, fitting a 5.2-liter V8 (Magnum) that pushed out 175 gasping horses and 270 lb-ft of torque. These values in the '80s on a pickup were nothing short of extraordinary!
Only 1500 Dodge Shelby Dakota iterations were made. And with the performance-intensive engine embedded under its hood, adding it to your garage in 2023 is a welcome idea!
5 1989 Ford F-150
Ford's F-Series has been America's best-selling truck for 46 years. In 2022, one F-Series truck was sold every 49 seconds. Gobsmacked? We are too! As such, we'll be turning the pages of time over three decades back to uncover what a popular contributor to this milestone — the 1989 Ford F-150 — had up its sleeves.
The 1989 Ford F-150 marked an improvement over the 1988 iterations, with some subtle changes. Chief among them was the electronically controlled four-speed transmission (E40D) alongside reclining/sliding seats on SuperCab trims.
The 1989 Ford F-150 also gave gearheads a vast array of choices when it came to powertrains — three, to be exact. However, the most power-intensive of them all was the 7.3-liter International Harvester diesel engine, commanding 180 horses and 345 lb-ft of torque. Little wonder it ranks as one of the greatest Ford trucks of the '80s.
So, if you're looking for a classic pickup that oozes class and performance simultaneously, the Ford F-150 (1989) should tickle your fancy.
4 1988 Chevrolet C/K
Long before the Ford F-Series earned the reputation as the best-selling vehicle, the Chevy C/K was the automobile that dominated proceedings across the United States. The C/K nameplate was introduced in 1960 as a successor to the Task Force series; however, the 1988 C/K format was a hit as it integrated numerous add-ons.
The pickup debuted a narrower cab, well-sculpted front hosting integrated headlamps, and flush side windows. These attributes improved the 1988 C/K's aerodynamics, resulting in reduced drag and increased fuel efficiency. That said, galvanized steel was integrated into its make-up, giving the C/K more rigidity and strength.
But that's not all – the 1988 Chevrolet C/K also wielded the Insta-Trac system to aid seamless switches from AWD to 4WD without stopping the vehicle. Combine these add-ons with the fact that the 1988 C/K won the Hulman Indy Challenge Trophy after sustaining over 103 mph for 24 hours, and you'll see why it ranks among the coolest Chevrolet pickup trucks of all time!
3 1989 Chevrolet S-10 Baja
If you're on the lookout for Chevrolet pickup truck classics you can key into in 2023 and beyond, you'll most likely encounter the S-10 pickup. Like the Bigfoot Cruiser we've already discussed, the Baja (introduced in 1989) is a unique aesthetic package available on all 4WD S-10 trucks produced within that timeline.
The 1989 Chevrolet S-10 Baja fielded a new grille and bumper, pristine suspensions, the bold "BAJA" lettering, roll bars, and off-road lights. The unique suspension system bound to the Baja alongside the S-10's 2.8-liter V6 engine (capable of producing 125 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque) resulted in improved off-roading performance.
2 1989 Dodge W250
We've seen it countless times that desperation tends to unlock genius. Losing to the competition like Ford and Chevrolet, Dodge decided to look inwards and see what they could produce to attract gearheads who'd jumped ship. The result? A heavy-duty pickup truck (the W250) hitting the manufacturing lines.
Tagged the Dodge W250 Cummins, this pickup resonates with beastly performance by integrating a 5.9-liter Cummins straight-six turbo-diesel engine that could churn out 160 horses and 400 lb-ft of torque. Although these values might seem inconsequential next to the 2023 Ram 4500 and 5500 (Cummins), it was mesmeric in the '80s and paved the way for the Ram series that took center stage in the '90s.
1 1988 Jeep Comanche Eliminator
The Jeep Comanche was the go-to pickup for individuals who needed a towing truck showcasing sportiness in the '80s. In 1988, Jeep introduced the Comanche Eliminator to further reiterate this commitment, with a 4.0-liter straight-six engine rated at 177 horses and 224 lb-ft of torque when paired to the rock-solid five-speed manual transmission (a four-speed automatic was optional).
This performance rating was higher than any other car in its class, and it stepped things up a notch with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. Besides performance, the 1988 Jeep Comanche Eliminator is an all-rounder with add-ons like "Eagle GT" radial tires, fog lamps, a gauge group, and power steering fitted as standard. It's clear as day — the Jeep Comanche Eliminator was ahead of the '80s and is worth buying today!