The Best '80s Trucks

The 1980s were a transformative decade, characterized by shoulder pads, big hair, spandex, and aerobics. However, the time period didn’t just affect style trends and culture. Regarding pickup trucks, the ‘80s are renowned for defining features such as boxy styling, bulletproof drivetrains, and a budding love of off-roading. 

By this point, trucks weren’t just viewed as workhorses but as all-purpose vehicles. Crew cabs made room for entire families, advanced four-wheel drive systems enabled off-highway adventures, and luxurious trims made trucks feel just as at home parked at the local steakhouse as working on the ranch. 

The ‘80s were a time that redefined what it meant to own a practical truck, due in part to film and television icons like Back to the Future’s Marty McFly and The Fall Guy’s Colt Seavers piloting pickups on screen. All of these changes helped to cement the pickup truck as more than a vehicle, but as an iconic piece of American culture. That’s why, in this feature, we’re turning back the clocks to the 1980s to check out some of the decade’s most influential pickup models and trims. 

The Jeep Gladiator J-10 has roots that go back to the early 1960s, when the original Gladiator debuted as part of the SJ platform. By the time the ‘80s rolled around, the J-10 had cemented itself as a rugged off-road icon, known for its durability, robust build, and unmistakably rugged styling. Production of this rig continued through 1988, making it one of the longest-running platforms in Jeep history. 

Several unique special editions come to mind when envisioning the iconic Jeep truck, including the Honcho package, which featured bold striping, decals, optional Levi’s interior, and a roll bar. Perhaps the most well-known use of this truck comes from the 1996 thriller Twister, where Dr. Jo Harding is seen piloting a yellow version of the iconic pickup through a series of extreme storms. 

During the ‘80s, the J-10 reached cult classic status thanks to its stout AMC V8 powerplant, Dana axles, and Jeep’s proven four-wheel-drive systems. 

Beginning in 1987, Ford moved away from the iconic yet dated “Bull Nose” generation (1980–1986) to the more modern, aerodynamic “Brick Nose.” This redesign boasted large rectangular headlights with integrated markers, more rounded fender arches, an updated interior, and several trim options—from the base-model XL to the luxurious XLT Lariat. 

With torquey and reliable fuel-injected power plants, including the 300 I6, 5.0 V8, and 5.8L V8, the Brick Nose F-150 quickly became a popular choice among truck owners in the late ‘80s. Even today, the truck holds a special place among enthusiasts, with clean, original examples often appearing at car shows and cars-and-coffee events. 

Around the same time that the Brick Nose F-150 hit dealerships, Ford debuted the optional Bigfoot cruiser, paying homage to the Monster Truck of the same name. The truck, while offered at select Ford dealerships, wasn’t a factory-built vehicle. Scherer Truck Equipment, based in Missouri, pieced together the trucks, adding custom graphics, lift kits, a roll bar, and aftermarket lighting. 

Unfortunately, the trucks were short-lived. Soon after the initial release, Ford found themselves in hot water for selling trucks with modifications that hadn’t been tested by the NHTSA. As a result, all Bigfoot cruisers manufactured with these modifications were recalled. Ford also bought several back, stripped them of their modifications, and sold them at auction. 

While already a rare option, the recall made the few examples that managed to slip past the cracks even rarer. Nowadays, original Bigfoot Cruisers are highly sought after by collectors, serving as the ultimate snapshot of ‘80s truck style.

When Dodge introduced the 5.9L 12-valve Cummins turbodiesel-powered W250 at the tail end of the ‘80s, neither Mopar nor Cummins knew the significance of this move. Whereas gasoline engines had previously dominated the light-duty truck market, the Cummins W250 immediately drew the attention of truck enthusiasts and tradespeople.

The combination of Dodge’s rugged looks and Cummins’ industrial success made the Cummins W250 an instant legend, featuring massive torque figures, full-mechanical reliability, and potential to travel a million miles (or more) on the stock engine. Early trims, like the luxurious LE, offered plenty of amenities and creature comforts, with the unmatched longevity of the large-displacement, six-cylinder diesel engine. 

Though not the first pairing of a diesel engine and light-duty pickup, the Cummins-powered W250 remains one of, if not the most influential, trucks of all time. Within a decade, turbodiesel engines were standard equipment across all three major automakers' lineups (GM, Ford, and Dodge).

Chevy and GMC’s third-generation C/K truck, produced from 1973 to 1987, continued to dominate streets, backwoods, and job sites well into the ‘80s. Clean and aggressive body liners, simple design, and bulletproof small-block V8s made the square-body GM a quintessential truck of the decade. 

Special trims like the Silverado, Scottsdale, and High Sierra added comfort and class to the otherwise utilitarian design, while rugged four-wheel-drive variants, which bore the “K” designation, offered exceptional off-road performance.   

While highly favored during its production run, the square body’s popularity has only increased in recent years. Their timeless looks, parts availability, and customization potential make them one of the coolest ‘80s trucks on the road. 

First introduced in 1983, the Ford Ranger quickly became one of the most popular compact trucks in the United States. The Ranger was designed for maximum efficiency while still offering impressive power from engines like the 2.8L V6. 

Eventually, the Ranger earned a torquey 4.0L V6 and more creature comforts, making it an icon of the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s. Even today, the Ranger remains an affordable, reliable, and versatile pickup truck that’s popular among first-time drivers, outdoor enthusiasts, and weekend warriors. 

Produced from 1986 to 1997, the Nissan D21 “Hardbody” quickly grew a reputation for reliability and rugged styling. Squared-off fenders, flared wheel arches, and a double-walled bed made the compact truck an instant success, with tradesworkers appreciating the improved impact resistance and overall durability. 

Available in two- and four-wheel drive configurations with several body and powertrain options, the D21 offered exceptional versatility. Whether transformed into a street-scraping mini truck, a capable wheeler, or a compact work truck, the Hardbody remains one of the most beloved trucks of the ‘80s.

Before the Tacoma was the Toyota Pickup. The Pickup’s second and third generations dominated the ‘80s compact truck scene, known for their unmatched reliability, solid off-road performance, and bulletproof engines, such as the venerable 22R and 22RE. 

The combination of solid front axles (early models), fuel injection, and trims like the SR5 helped cement the Toyota Pickup as a leading choice for adventurers. Pop culture appearances also helped, like Marty McFly’s black SR5 in Back to the Future. Today, clean examples are viewed as collector's items and are sought out by off-road enthusiasts and Toyota fans. 

One of the most unique ‘80s trucks, if you could even call it that, is the Subaru BRAT. The unique vehicle—part car, part truck—was more like an Australian ute than an American truck, making it a polarizing option in a culture that typically shunned any pickup that wasn’t large, brash, and powerful. 

While the BRAT never really took off in the States, it offered several unique features that make it the beloved oddball of ‘80s trucks to this day. Standard four-wheel drive, a lightweight build, and goofy rear-facing jump seats in the bed are just some of the features that cult BRAT fans love.

Although not as popular as previous generations, the '80s El Camino SS—based on GM’s G-body platform—delivered sporty handling, V8 performance, and the utility of a pickup bed. 

While the original styling of the ‘80s El Camino SS didn’t turn too many heads, special editions like the Choo Choo Customs added far more aggressive styling in the form of a polyurethane front nose and upgraded alloy wheels, similar to those offered on the Monte Carlo SS of the same generation. As the last true American ute, the mid- to late-'80s El Camino SS serves as a reminder of what could have been, had Americans not rejected the quirky half-car, half-truck design in favor of oversized pickups. 

If you’re the owner of an ‘80s truck in desperate need of upgrading, bring it into the 21st century with our various upgrades and accessories from RealTruck. From period-correct mods, like vintage wheels, halogen off-road lights, and tubular roll bars, to modern upgrades, we carry it all. Shop our extensive inventory to turn your ‘80s rig into an eye-catching build.