I want to buy an F-150 but I can only afford a truck for under $2K. I need to know what I should look for when inspecting the trucks and any makes or models to avoid. Specifically I want to know the engine and transmissions I should avoid. This is probably a popular request so if anyone could link me up some info I would really appreciate it. Want to use the truck as a vacation hauler and weekend work horse.

Thanks

Josh

 

The truck your looking for is more than likely a 3\4 ton and I would recommend the 351\5.8 if your using it as a weekend hauler now if your looking for a straight work horse like I was the 460\7.5 is the way to go.Now I'm fond of quad cab short wheel base and a friend of mine loves extended cab long wheel base just find a truck you like and make sure its not a rust bucket

 

theres no trans/engine you want to really avoid from these years.

check the normal stuff: shifts smooth, starts easy, runs smooth, if its 4x4 it works, brakes work/lines look good, no oil leaks, no fluid leaks (trans, diffs, etc), less rust is better, and try to find out how the P.O. used it

how much weight are you goin to be moving going 250/350 may be the way to go

 

Avoid 5.0 powered trucks at all costs it's the weakest motor available. The 300 I6 is a great work motor but most of the I6 powered trucks got lincoln towncar gear ratios... meaning lousy for towing, but there were some built with 3.55's. The best work truck combo you'll find is the 5.8L or 7.5L with a ZF 5-speed manual in an F250 or F350, that will haul whatever you put behind it but won't pass many gas stations. In all cases '94-'96 trucks will be the best performing copies with the strongest transmissions.