1990 f150 xlt lariat extended cab with a short bed. Is this a 1/2 ton truck with a short bed?

 

Yes. F150 = "half ton". I put the "half ton" in quotes because that's just a throwback name that now has little to do with the capacity of the truck. My reg cab longbed 1990 F150 has a payload of about 1500 lbs. I suppose if you throw 3 average adults on the bench seat at 150 lbs each, the payload would be around a half ton. My F250 (ext cab, longbed) has a payload of ~2800 lbs, don't know how that qualifies as "3/4-ton".

Jason

 

I'm looking at buy this truck.
Thanks, I had a question about the locking hubs. If I'm going to town do I have to check to see if the hubs are unlocked. I have to younger kids that get into everything Why would you use "N" on the transfer case for? Do you use 2 high to go to town in the summer? Do you use 4 high on the road in the winter, how much more would it cost for gas?

 

What? I must be missing something here. Assuming the truck is 4wd, you drive around in 2wd until the truck needs 4wd and you then lock it in. Leave the transfer case alone. You drive to town in 2wd, you drive home in...2wd. you can even go offroad in....2wd. But mike, you would use 4 hi to travel to town when the roads are too messed for 2wd. 4 low will pull you around good in a parking lot or in some deep snow.

Push the transfer case lever all the way to the front of the vehicle and the "4x4" lights should go out. Then you are in 2wd. MAKE SURE YOUR HUBS ARE UNLOCKED! The gas milage suffers a bit to have moving parts that aren't supposed to move. (i.e - axle's, hubs, blah)

Mike 4wd's don't get good gas milage but when its snowing out and everyone else is sitting at home or in the ditch that's why I love my 4wd.

 

I would make sure the hubs are unlocked when do not need to use 4WD.
I use "N" on the transfer case of my BII or Ranger when towing it behind my RV.
You use 2 High whenever you do not need the extra power and the roads are dry and 4W is not needed.
You can use 4 High on winter roads as long as the snow is not to deep, if it were deep you would use 4 Low.
The cost of gas varies but usually goes up from year to year.
The MPG depends on the engine size, transmission and the read end gear ratio in the truck and also how it is driven.