Looking at the following trucks tonight:

Ford f150 4x4

1995 Ford F-150 Lifted / 95 F150 4X4 Lifted

The white one is a '96, BTW. They both have the legendary straight 6, so I'm comfortable with that. Both have a 5 speed manual. Now, I think the ZF5 is only on F250/350. Is this true? If so, what is the 5 speed manual on the 150's like? Any advice on both of these? I like the Eddie Bauer better because it has half the miles and appears to be rust free (at least the drivers side!). Any help is appreciated.

 

I would be more in for the 96. It looks much nicer and has lower miles. However, it does have those fender flares which could be hiding rust. Just make sure you inspect it really well.

 

^ Ditto on the 1996.

 

The 96 looks much cleaner from the picture given. Like Evan said, fender flares can cover a lot. And the fact that they are on a truck with stock size tires is concerning. Make sure you crawl under that truck if you look at it to see if it's just a case of "always washed the body but not the underside".

The 95 isn't a bad deal for all the new parts on it. Fixing the rocker and the cab corners of that truck isn't really a big deal either. The seller on that one also understands that a lift doesn't double the price, and if you wanted a truck that's jacked up, that ones a decent deal, but has a lot of miles. If you look at that one, inspect it thoroughly to see how well the lift was installed.

The 5 speed is the M5OD. It's a Mazda 5 speed that isn't the greatest. If you just plan on driving the truck around, it's reliable. But if you plan on towing a lot of loads, it's not ideal.

 

either the one, the black one has more rust, but it does have more newer parts and for the price difference you could buy a lot more new parts. you cant go wrong with either one in my opinion though the black one is lifted which isn't ideal if you want to tow with it

 

For the record, I will be towing with it, but not much - a 2000-2500 lb pop-up camper. Also, while the ad doesn't mention it, the white one has a fifth wheel mount in the bed, so it has been towing something.

 

I could be wrong, but those "flares" look to be painted on..... So look close for rust!!

 

i would look at the axle code and ask them how much weight they towed with It and what they towed, half tons are the most commonly overworked truck out there

 

Nice catch. They sure do look painted on. Look's like they painted all of the lip and flare on the fenders where most of the rust issues occur. The OP needs to REALLY look close at those fenders, inside and out.

 

He had better get under it and look too, there may be as much rust in the cab as the black one...... Just seller isn't talking about it!!!!

 

Well, the white one had rust under the wheel wells for sure. The flares were painted on. It is a Kentucky truck that they bought up the Michigan about a month ago (the guy sold his farm). The check engine light was on, and the AC needs recharging. Also, the front fuel tank has a "small" leak. Rear tank is fine. Other than that, the truck was good. Shifted smooth, ran great on the freeway. Looking at the other one in about 5 minutes. I still like the white one just because it has half the miles on it. We'll see in about 20 minutes about the other one.

 

Well the '95 was very rough. It had been in an accident, was a plow truck, and had been re-painted (poorly) and had bondo chipping off of it. It did have many new parts, but everything about it was rough - shifting, the ride, the doors closing, - everything. The engine sounded great, but did have almost 200,000. So, I decided to buy the 96 Eddie Bauer. There were just too many good things about it that trumped the few cosmetic bad things. I'm now a Ford Truck owner!!!!!

 

Congrats on the new truck! Make sure to get some better pictures of it up!

 

Pics of the new truck. 1996 F150, 4x4, Eddie Bauer, 300 straight 6, 5 speed manual, 3.55 non-limited slip differential: