Yall, I have always liked the old body style F150’s and am looking at a particular 96 xlt 4wd Auto. I am no mechanic by any means and would like some help if possible.

This truck has a 6in lift with 33’s on it and has had a Jasper transmission put in it (apparently the guy he bought it from didn’t disclose the transmission problems) . The truck has approx 170 miles on it with the new transmission at 1500. The transmission has a 10yr warranty. I guess he bought an extended from Jasper. He also says the transfer case has been replaced.

It has the 5.0 302 and the rear was re-geared at 3.10 and the auto hubs were replaced with manual. Has a tow hitch and tool box. The pictures look good/interior is good shape. I can send a pic if needed. The truck is two hours from me. He’s asking 5500 which is way too much..IMO. We may be able to come to an agreement.

Is there anything I need to “pay attn” to?

Are those Jaspers good?

Can it pull a trailer/tractor and bushhog?

Why was it re-geared?
Is there a way to get a VIN history report on a 96 vehicle?

I just want it to go hunting/work around the house/haul stuff and occasionally drive to work/tailgate with it @ football games. I currently drive a Tacoma and the bed is way small and I can’t pull a tractor with it.
Any advice/insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks yall!<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message -->

 

If it does have a 3.10 gear ratio it will be horrible for towing anything more than a jon boat. One of the previous owners probaly put in those gears in an effort to get better fuel economy. if you want to tow with it you would need to swap in 3.73 or 4.10 gears. You dodn't say how big the tractor is that you want to tow, but depending on the weight you might need even stteper gears that that

Matt

 

If you can get the vin I can tell you what all the factory equipment that was put on it.

 

The gears are too tall and the engine doesn't have the low-end grunt to do and real towing. Do you know what the weight of the trailer and tractor is? You might want to look for an F250/350 depending on how big it is.

 

You sure the gears arent 4.10s instead of 3.10s? People that lift a truck and install larger meats generally regear with shorter then factory ratios to make up for the larger tires, not taller and i think they only offer 3.07s and 3.08s for the dana 44 and 8.8

 

Honestly I would not touch an F150 at all. But, an 96 is that ugly body style ford had for a couple years. For what your looking to do, F250 is needed at the least. If 96-97 you want the HD's for the 90's body styling and a "real truck" set up (10.25 dana 50 ect) . The light duty 96-97 F250 has the 7 lug rear end and other crap the plow company's made them produce to sell with dealer plow options... also imo its ugly as sin (but thats my problem lol ).

I'm also with the post above on the gearing .... Think the PO gave you a typo

 

A 96 is the same body style as a 92. Idk what you're talking about. The light duty F250 didn't start until 97, and I believe only ran through 98 when the 99 model year superduty came out. I don't think you need an F250 or bigger for this, you just need the right set up. Like a 95 or 96 F150 with a 5.8L 351w, E4OD, 4x4 with 4.10 gears. The 302 is a god awful towing motor, and a truck with that big of tires, even if it has 4.10 gears, with a 302 will really be a dog.

 

GNR is right about the 302. Mine pulls everything i need it to, it just takes forever to do it.

 

Thought it was 96 - 99 my bad ... your right about the 97 now that I put more thought into it. 96 is in my head caz that was the year F250 I was hunting for the last year. Good catch so 97 is ugly as sin and junk lol I would buy a 1500 GMC before an F 150 if I wanted a half ton pick up. and I own all fords for reference...