Greetings all, and thank you in advance for your invaluable input.

I am ready to make my first Ford Truck purchase and have come across 2 relatively similar trucks in my area.

My question is, which one should I buy?

This truck has 100K fewer miles but is not OBDII compliant:

1995 Ford F150 XL

Conversely, this truck has 100K more miles and is OBDII compliant:

Ford F150 pickup truck

Both SEEM to be well cared for.....

Wisdom?

 

I'm more towards the one with 100k less miles. The engine in it is a better engine than the other, and is known for outlasting all the others offered in this era F150. OBDII isn't necessary. Sure, diagnostics might be a little more simple, but the 1995 with the 4.9 will probably make it to the mileage the other one is at with NO issues. I say the 1995 with the 4.9.

 

My initial inclination is the same Evan. I didn't know that there was that much difference between the 2 engines though so I do appreciate that. Figured I would post it up here and let those of you with the requisite experience/knowledge offer up their opinions.

 

The 5.0 isn't a bad engine, but with 230k on the clock I would be hesitant. The 4.9 is infamous for being one of the most durable engines Ford ever made. It gets the best mileage, has pretty good power and will outlast the rest of the truck.

 

Pretending for a moment that both trucks are in the same condition besides the miles, I'd go for the 4.9. ~130k miles should be just broken in for that engine, where as a 302 with 200k+ is a much bigger risk.

Check them both out though. The 4.9 could have been poorly maintained where as the 302 could've been maintained meticulously, who knows; not to mention all the other things that could be wrong on both trucks.

 

Personally, I'd be in for the 96 with all the new parts they have listed. You can usually find another 5.0 for $500 or so if that motor doesn't make it. It's also an OBDII with MAF, so it has potential if you wanted to add some performance parts.

But if you plan on using this truck to tow things regularly, you may want to consider the I6, as it has torque low in the RPM band.

I can't disagree with Evan though. The I6 is very well known to be a very long lasting engine. I will, however, say that if the maintenance on either truck isn't as great as they claim it to be, you'll run into headaches either way. That's always the chance you take with any used vehicle.

 

Well, looks like we have a tie for the moment. I appreciate the input sir, it almost mimics what a close friend told me this afternoon. He has been a Ford man for years.

 

FYI folks, it won't be doing much, if any, towing. I will be using it as my daily driver for work and the occasional weekend project. My daily commute is 2 miles each way so MPG isn't a MAJOR factor.

 

My 302 was way funner to drive than my dad's 300! I don't remember fuel mileage, as gas was only .90 cent's!

 

Speaking of things the "could be wrong", what do I need to check?

 

having owned Pre97s with both engines, id say go with the I-6

 

If I had to choose I would pick the obdII truck

the after market for 5.0 is huge, the truck looks to be clean, there is real time obdII monitoring stuff out there that I would love to have in my truck.
As for the 5.0 life span there is a guy I work with that has a stock 92 mustang that has 400k on it with only external gaskets and tune up parts being done. like everyone has said its all about how well it is maintained.

If your not set on that type of truck, single cab auto base trim, I would hold out for either an I6 with a 5speed or a 460 5speed with a higher trim level.
The 460 may be a bit overkill but I love mine 4x4 with 35s and it is just a power house and it is practically bullet proof.

 

And get's ~10MPG in good conditions....Not exactly daily driver friendly if you ask me..

 

I get 11 approximately 400 miles on both tanks with 4:10's as long as I keep my foot out of it.

he said his commute is about 2 miles mpg might not be his biggest concern. mine is 22 round trip and mine is a dd and a trail rig in the so cal desert. plans are to put a gear vendors od in it but that's not relevant to the thread here but should give me 14 ish

 

my DD gets 8! gotta love a V10


i always say go with the lowest mile car/truck that fits in your budget. but make sure it has the options you want. so between these two it comes down to what you want. i would never buy something with more then 140k on it.