I was just wondering how reliable these trucks are. The truck I am looking at has a 5 speed and 4x4

Thanks,
Barry

 

After 25 years, not very.

Many 2.9s had heads prone to cracking. Transmissions are a question mark. Axles fair. My 2wd had wimpy ujoints. Heater cores seem to go.

A vehicle that old is a gamble. Check it out, make everything important works, and buy it "right" if it works for you and you can afford an expensive repair or two.

 

Everything important works, the only problem was freeze plugs but, he is fixing those. and the heater core is gone. I am hoping to get it for about $200

 

$200, what a deal. Check all the steering linkage also. It's probably been fixed years ago, but Ford used some POS plasting bushing in the drag link that was really lose by 60,000 miles.

Hard to get hurt for $200. Good luck with it.

 

If it has not been over heated the 2.9 will run for ever, the 5 speed is is the best. I have a 89 4X4 5 speed with 206k I got for 500$ neaded some TLC but still runs like a champ.