Well, as the title says, what should I look for when buying an old ford.

I am looking at 2 trucks currently, Both are 1996 F-350 crew cab long beds 4x4.

One is a PSD with an auto, that appears stock, But it looks like the frame is sagging? like there is a bow in the middle and the cab and bed gaps are off. Not sure if this a tell tell sign of problems or common. Its not huge but noticeable if that makes sense.

The other is a lifted truck with a cummins swap and a five speed manual. I've done that before with my excursion(RIP) and I know the head aches it can be so I am leery just for that reason. It doesn't seem to have that sag but the interior is a lot more rough than the other.

Did these big trucks have ABS or 4 wheel disc? I am looking to switch out and retire my 04.5 dodge 2500. Plus the idea of more room is appealing in itself.

Are parts getting harder to find for these trucks? How are the fit and finish? Should I expect lots of rattles and squeaks? I pull my 38ft 5th wheel and I want something that's up to the job with room. I looked at new and laughed at the 72K price tags of dodge ford and chevy. I love the classic lines too, so here I am

Thanks for any information you share

Chris

 

I'd stay away from any sort of frame sag period. Parts are very plentiful for these rigs, and you'll need some as you're going back 10 more years. My daily driver is a 1979 car, 20k miles, but it still has more weekly needs than a brand new vehicle does.

You can get a 5th wheel XLT 6.7 for around $50k, or full crew for $55K.... Not quite $72K until you go a bit crazier with options. Really depends how often you're going to be using it, though I agree new is quite expensive and late model used doesn't help too much.

 

Why is the dodge getting retired at only 10 years of age?

Take a closer look at the PSD, is the frame really sagging or are the body mounts shot(more likely). These old trucks are crude farm implements compared to a modern truck so yes you should expect poor fit and finish, lots of creaks and rattles, and for it to ride like a hay wagon. The kids will love getting air in the back set every time you drive over a lady bug.

 

It's purely the lack of room in the dodge is why it's time to move on. Four kids in the truck gets tiring and I hate having to move my chair forward. I'm 6'5 so I like my leg room.My kids oldest to youngest are 15 then 14 10 and 5. I think a real crew cab is admit due. I have 485k miles on the dodge so it did it's job.

I will look closer at the psd truck to see if it's bad body mounts or sagging frame. Anything else I should look for? Any known problems that 96 Ford's are known for? I want to be informed so I can sniffs out a lemon truck.

Thanks
Chris

 

Rad supports are one of the first places to go, but they are easy to replace and not expensive to even buy a new one. I just bought a pretty rusty 95 F150 and its points of rust were, rad support, shock towers, bed rear corners and wheel lips, bottom rear of fenders. I got it anyway because the cab was solid and both cab and bed mounting points were all in good shape as well as a solid frame. I've been told the E4OD top gear is prone to go out if not well maintained, so I'd get it on the road enough to go through the range and check that out.

 

Nothing really goes wrong with the PSD when they are stock. Biggest thing I see engine wise is the glow plug relay, injector O-rings, under valve cover harnesses, and now and again an IPR. Other than that, they are great engines. Just look for oil leaks from the oil pan and in the valley. To change a pan, the engine has to come out. ive heard of others removing motor mounts and turbo and having enough room to drop the pick up tube and slide the pan out and do it this way... I have never done it though. other than that, they like their suspension parts just like any other ford with the tires sitting like this / \ because of sagging front springs and/or bad ball joints.

 

If you're in an area with cold winters a 4x4 has likely been used for plowing. That can mean frame damage. That's one of the first things I learned when shopping for an older truck in PA/NJ.