Hi-

I'm looking at 2 different F150's and am looking for advice from the experts here since I am new to Ford's.

#1) 1991 F150 Ext-Cab 4WD XL, 302, SWB, 86K miles, $4600, dealer
-trucks in good shape, having right-front fender replaced due to bang-up. New fender is installed, but not painted yet. Delaer just got car on lot and isn't -sale-ready' yet, so am thinking I could negotiate price down more and buy 'as-is'.

#2) 1988 F150 Ext-Cab, 351, 4WD XLT Lariat, LWB, 148K miles, $3600 OBO, private party
-truck is nice to outstanding cosmetically, original owner

So, it seems like the '91 is a better deal based on the mileage, though doesn't look quite as nice.

Any thought or opinions on either one?

Thanks,
Adam Johnson
Gilbert, AZ

 

If the guy will take 3000 for the 88 do that cause its an xlt and has the 351.As long as it runs good and you really look it over its well worth thats $.Hell, offer him $2800 at first.

 

I would have to know what you intend to use the truck for. If just daily driving, light hauling(from Home Depot/Lowes/etc), I would think about the 91 cause it has the 302, but you won't see much mileage difference in the two, unless there are serious axle ratio differences.

If you intend to haul anything of any size, I would recommend the 88 because of the 351 and the long bed. The wheelbase is longer and thus is a little more stable for towing. It is XLT and therefore is loaded(should have power everything) and probably a better interior.

 

OK, I've seen both of them in details now, plus I found another that may be a good possibility.

1) '91 F150 XCAB XL, SWB, 302, 86K miles 4wd: OK shape as I said before, from a dealer.

Could probably get it for $4300 + 8% tax (since it's a dealer)

2) '88 F150 XCAB 4wd LWB, 148K miles, XLT, 351, asking $3600. Is in overall nice shape. Driver door, fender and hood have been repainted, although seller claimed it had never been in accident per his uncle (He's selling for his Uncle). Runs good, no leaks, alternator sounds noisy so may need replaced soon, holes in muffler, so will need replaced also. Roof is oxidized and surface rust, typical for one this old. Back has jump seats instead of bench. Can one get a bench for this year and install, perhaps from a junkyard?

Could probably get it for $3200.

3) '94 F150 XCAB 4wd SWB, XLT, 302, 146K miles, captains chairs, spray-in bedliner. Asking $4700 OBO. Owned by a HS kid for 4 months, selling because he want a big 70's old lifted Ford. it has an electrical problem- has high revs occsionally at startup, also occasionally while driving he said it will hesitate after stepping on gas before taking off. I think this is probably a simple fix, sensor or something similar. Overall nice shape, just not 'clean' because it's a HS kid, but he's only had it 4 months so hasn't had time to do too much to it yet.

He's nervous about electrical problem, so could probably get it for $4k, and good chance of getting it for ~$3800 I think.

I'm leaning toward #2 or #3. I like #3 because it's newer, but I also think that #2 is a more substantial truck, just because it's a little older and built a little 'tougher', at least it has that 'feel' to it.

Thanks,
Adam

 

I think thats a little high, I paid $2200 for a 93 F250 XLT 4X4 No rust and a like new running motor

 

Wow rossman you got a heck of a deal.I just got a 93 xtended cab with a 302 4x4 and a lift kit with cap and brand new 33's for 5300 from a dealer and could be happier.Its extremely clean and the best deal I found ALL YEAR!

 

I would get the 94'. Sounds like a TPS problem ( easy fix ) and 94 is when all the truck 302's are HO's. The 302 will DEFINITELY get better fuel mileage and 146K just means it's alittle past broke in.

 

Well I put about 750 dollars into it, like tie rods and u joints, but I like it and it isnt short on power.

 

None of the truck 302's are HOs. The Mass Air 302's have 351 firing orders, but the speed density ones have the older firing order.

I would agree with that. The 302 DOES get better mileage than 351's in F-150s. I'm proof of that...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Pastmaster
[B]None of the truck 302's are HOs.


I must be confused along with many others on this site. The 94's and up have the roller cam and lifters and a 10HP higher rating (HO's). I just typed in the search and there are allot of 302 HO questions. What do you mean buy- none are HO's??

 

It's true the '93-96 302's had roller cams but not HO motors. The easiest way to tell is the firing order; 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 for the HO and 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 for non- HO.

 

My firing order is 13726548 for my 95' 302, but the trucks do have HO's right??? I mean Pastmaster said non of the trucks had HO's , but they do right??

 

if I was you I'd go with #2 Because Priv. owners usually know more about the truck if they where org. owner. plus the truck must of been a good truck since it wasn't traded off buy now. Hence the term, "buy used from a dealer, get the last owners problems" Then on #3 even know it's a newer truck you'd be amazed at what the HS kid could put the truck thru in only 4 months. Plus knowing he wants a older truck so he can go bigger seems like a sign that he has took the truck offroad and Didn't like way it did with the lower set then the older trucks. also lead to I can get thru that hole i was just pulled out of "let me get a faster run and more throttle to power thru" Even though the 302 can handle high RPM's with ease. I'd feel better bout buying truck #2 Then see what all ya can learn about the truck, What has been done and so on and so fourth. But thats IMO

 

High Output is just a word. HO was used on many higher performance CAR 302's in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Those engines and the one's in trucks ARE NOT the same.

While they might have the same firing order as mass-air 302s and 351s, they have different heads, different intakes, different fuel injector pressure, different cam, and a few other things I'm sure I've left off.

Now, in 1984-1987 Ford called the 5.8L with a Holley 4 barrel an HO (high output), but that was the only one.

 

Roller Cam's didn't change firing orders. My 1993 has the roller cam, but it still has the 15426378 firing order. I've come across 1994 Mass Air 302s with the later firing orders.