1981 Ford F-250 4WD
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: Ford F-250 Regular Cab by Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Ford F250 (10007440273) by FotoSleuth, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Ford F250 (10128553273) by GPS 56 from New Zealand, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1981 Ford F-250 4WD is a 125-hp 4.9-liter inline-6 pickup truck with a 4-speed manual and four-wheel drive. It starts at $8,826 MSRP.
It makes 125 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque.
The F-250 measures 213.3 inches long on a 133.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,015 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Pickup |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $8,826 ($31,556 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 4.9L (300 cu in) Inline-6 |
| Displacement | 4.9 L |
| Horsepower | 125 hp |
| Torque | 250 lb-ft |
| Injection Type | 1-bbl Carburetor |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | 4WD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed Manual |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Dana 44 TTB (Twin Traction Beam) independent, coil springs, Dana 50 TTB optional |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf-sprung Dana 60 live axle |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 213.3 in |
| Width | 79 in |
| Height | 75 in |
| Wheelbase | 133 in |
| Curb Weight | 4,015 lbs |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1981 Ford F-250 4WD with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1981 Ford F250. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Mar 15, 1982 · EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
THE REINFORCEMENT FOR THE IN-BOX SPARE TIRE CARRIER MAY HAVE BEEN ATTACHED USING INCORRECT HEX HEAD BOLTS. IF THE CARRIER AND REINFORCEMENT ATTACHING BOLTS ARE INCORRECT, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE TIRE SIDEWALL TO BE DAMAGED OR WEAKENED BY EXTENDED CONTACT WITH THE SHARP EDGES OF THE BOLT HEADS.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE BOLTS AND ANY DAMAGED SPARE TIRES AT NO COST TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign 82V024000
Oct 6, 1981 · WHEELS:MULTI PIECE
THE OWNER"S GUIDE MAY CONTAIN AN ERROR IN THE WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATION CHART. INCORRECT INFORMATION COULD RESULT IN IMPROPER TORQUE OF THE LUG NUTS DURING WHEEL REPLACEMENT. LUG NUTS COULD COME LOOSE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.
Remedy: AN ADHESIVE-BACKED, REVISED PAGE WILL BE SUPPLIED TO OWNERS FOR INSERTION IN THE OWNER"S GUIDE. IN ADDITION, DEALERS WILL PROVIDE TORQUE VERIFICATION, IF ONE OR MORE WHEELS HAVE BEEN SERVICED, AT NO COST TO OWNERS.
NHTSA campaign 81V121000
May 21, 1981 · STRUCTURE
THE INVOLVED TRUCKS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A CERTAIN PORTION OF SPECIFIED FLOOR PAN INSULATION MATERIAL (BENEATH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT) OMITTED. BECAUSE OF THIS OMISSION, A SECTION OF THE SHEET METAL FLOOR PAN WAS LEFT EXPOSED OVER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IN AN AREA OF POSSIBLE PASSENGER CONTACT.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN FLOORPAN INSULATOR PAD AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign 81V061000
Feb 13, 1981 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITHOUT THE SPECIFIED FUEL TANK SHIELD WHICH PREVENTS DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND DRIVELINE COMPONENTS. DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST, AS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY", FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE EXISTING SEPARATE SKID PLATE OR FUEL TANK SHIELD REMOVED (WHICHEVER WAS INSTALLED ON VEHICLE). A SPECIAL COMBINATION SKID PLATE/FUEL TANK SHIELD ASSEMBLY WILL BE INSTALLED IN ITS PLACE FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign 81V023000
Nov 10, 1980 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
DURING A CHANGE IN ASSEMBLY PROCEDURES, CERTAIN OF THE MID-SHIP FUEL TANK STRAPS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR MISLOCATED. AS A RESULT, THEY FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY". IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, EXCESSIVE FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, RELOCATE FUEL TANK STRAPS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign 80V145000
1 owner complaint to NHTSA for the 1981 Ford F250
Owner Complaints
1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA for the 1981 Ford F250 (1 mention a crash). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Power Train | 1 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1981 FORD F250. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.