Pay Respect To These Toughest American Trucks From The 80s

There was a time when pickup trucks were only restricted to dirty work like hauling and pulling dirt and cargo. But the 80s was a transition period for all American pickups, as they transformed into the all-purpose vehicles that we know today.

The 80s pickup trucks brought in a new revolution in their industry, thanks to their stellar ability to be versatile both on-road and off-road.

Most of the 1980s trucks didn’t follow a set design language or platform, as all of them varied in terms of engine and reliability. The Detroit Big Three strived to create powerful pickup trucks that could match their Japanese counterparts. This laid the center stage for these automakers to produce the best 80s trucks of their time, blessed with insane power, capability, bulletproof reliability, and robust toughness.

 10. 1988 Jeep Comanche Eliminator

The Jeep Comanche Eliminator was the toughest Jeep truck offered in the 1980s. The Comanche was already making waves in the American market with its sophisticated design. The Eliminator was one of the first performance-oriented pickup trucks in the world and boasted a degree of reliability and toughness that no other pickup had in its time.

The Eliminator was packed in a 4.0-liter straight-six engine under its hood, which was capable of 177hp and 224 lb-ft. of torque. The Eliminator was a class apart compared to rival pickups, thanks to its class-leading towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

9. 1981 Jeep Scrambler

The 1981 Jeep Scrambler initially didn’t get the recognition it deserved, but it eventually gained popularity among truck fanatics. The Scrambler had a wide appeal among farmers, ranchers, outdoor adventurists, and even everyday commuters, thanks to its typical jeep frame.

Jeep extended its wheelbase by 10 inches to give it a pickup-like body style. Underneath its body, the wooden stake allowed the Jeep to absorb road shocks. This truck is a collectible among Jeep enthusiasts thanks to its ability to feel at home in the desert or mountains.

 8. 1984 Chevy K10 Sno Chaser

The 1984 Chevy K10 Sno Chaser is a collector’s item because of its incredible rarity. This truck was restricted for sale in the snowy regions of the North as its name suggests. Its red and yellow stripes indicate its toughness for handling harsh conditions. Its limited production numbers stood at only 2500 units, which makes it a rare gem to find.

7. 1983 Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator was falling off the charts in the 1980s, but it soon hit back with its 1983 iteration. This model fell under the J10 nomenclature and boasted decent V-6 and V-8 engines that produced 175 to 245 hp. In the 1980s, Jeep introduced a new four-wheel Selec-Trac system replacing the old Quadra-Trac system. This new system emphasized more handling and power on challenging terrains.

 6. 1987 Ford Bigfoot Cruiser

The Bigfoot was a household name in the 80s when it came to the best monster truck in America. When you combine the eternal Ford F-150 with the Bigfoot monster truck, the 1987 Ford Bigfoot Cruiser is the final product.

With a 7.5 l EFI engine under its hood, the Bigfoot Cruiser is a powerhouse with 460 hp. Its cool running lights on top of double roll bars sent a stern statement to all of its rivals. Despite its issues with fire recalls, the Bigfoot Cruiser is an incredibly rare asset today, with only 250 examples built during its time.

5. 1988 Chevrolet C/K

Chevrolet’s reliable C/K series of trucks and cars started way back in 1960. But things really started to flow for Chevrolet when it launched the 1988 Chevrolet C/K pickup truck. Buyers could select from a range of 8 different versions of the C/K.

With its robust truck frame, no vent windows, and an independent front suspension, the C/K truck was a powerful beast. When you combine that with its top-tier handling and a solid lineup of V-6 and V-8 engines, the Chevrolet C/K was one of the best pickups of its generation.

 4. 1983 Ford Ranger

The 1983 Ford Ranger was the perfect fit between a full-size SUV and a full-size pickup truck. The Ranger eventually paved the way for bigger vehicles in Ford’s future, like the Explorer SUV. But the Ranger’s toughness and utility were too good to be left out of the equation. Every Ranger was designed with fuel economy in mind and was also way lighter than its full-sized counterparts.

3. 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota

The 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota served its role as the last performance-oriented pickup truck of the 90s and ended the decade with a bang. The truck boasted a 5.2L "Magnum" V8 that pumped out 175 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. With its unique body kit, the Dodge symbolized the tough truck culture of the early 90s.

2. 1989 Ford F-150

Almost any classic truck list is incomplete without the mention of the legendary Ford F-150. The 1989 Ford F-150 was a classic generation for the pickup, as it shifted its focus from just service trucks to all-purpose vehicles.

The truck was a tremendous workhorse compared to its predecessor generation, thanks to its improved 4.9 liter inline-6 engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The F-150 was one of the best pickups of the generation thanks to its tough handling and immense power.

1. 1989 Dodge W250/350 Cummins

The 1980s was a tough period of time for Dodge, as it lost ground in the market to its stern competitors Ford and General Motors. In times of desperation, Dodge came out with one of its most ingenious creations of all time, the iconic Cummins engine. The Cummins was a 5.9L straight-six turbo-diesel engine with immense power.

When Dodge fitted its heavy-duty W250 models with the Cummins diesel engine, things began to turn in its favor. This badass truck had a solid frame with extra cast iron and steel. Despite its low 160 hp, the truck could easily pull a ton with its mesmerizing 400 lb-ft of torque.