1986 ford 150 f starts fine cold drive to town and wont start again with out a jump replaced alternator, solenoid, battery and cable wires why

When it does this check that power (a good solid 12volts)is leaving the solenoid going to the starter. If it's not test battery for proper voltage.(if battery voltage is low check all connections-- also check frame and motor negative connections) If it is sending a good solid 12 volts to starter and starter not engaging I suspect bad starter. The heat build up while driving could be to much for a starter that's on its last leg. Jump starting is throwing more than normal volts to starter causing it to engage anyway.

Smack the Starter with a Hammer! I know that it sounds bad but sometimes it works although I've had more luck whacking Chevy starters and making them work than Fords. Either way, they get hot and sloppy and won't engage.

Lol. Yes a good smack will sometimes get them going.

When I was a sprout I could not keep a starter working for any length of time in my old 70's model Roadrunner 383. Came to fine out someone removed a heat shield at some point resulting in way to much heat for the starter to withstand.