hey guys im new to the forum and im new to ford trucks im looking at buying a used ford f-150 4x4 5.8 v-8 what to look for,whats common on these trucks for repairs,what to add or fix on the truck for offroad driving.looking for a daily driver,camping hunting and fishing

i found a 92 f-150 4x4 extra cab,long bed with a 5.8 135k miles for $4,994.00 going this weekend to look at the truck.im mechanically inclined ive had 4x4 trucks before,chevys and dodges im jumping the fence to ford like the idea of dual gas tanks.prob add a brush guard or a winch bumper for the front bumper some offroad lights whats a good year to look for for a f150 the truck im looking at has push button 4wd,looking for a floor shift 4wd should i look for a stick shift or are the auto trans models ok no problems like dodge haha

 

Even if the condition was excellent, that price seems a little steep.

 

Too expensive for a 92.
I would look for a manual 4x system, but if you do end up with a 4x dash system a good upgrade is installing manual hubs.
Finding an OBD2 truck would be an asset too - 96 and newer.

 

5.8 is a bear of a motor but loves fuel. Push button 4x4 is unreliable. You would be upgrading by converting it to manual 4x4. The automatics are OKAY. Nothing horribly wrong with them. I have one.

Dual gas tanks. A common Ford problem is that the floaters will sink. My forward floater sunk. Not much of a problem though, my rear floater still works.

Ford builds a solid truck. They love the fuel though. They're no worse than Dodge when it comes to that. The smaller engines in Ford's lineup do better than Dodge's smaller engines in the fuel compartment. Either way this is off topic. I'm just saying, the 351 loves fuel.

Ford is a good truck. Just look for common generalized problems that you see with all trucks and you'll be fine. Just make sure the 4x4 works.

Good luck and hope you post pictures.

 

thanks guys 96 and newer stickshift and floor shift 4x4 ,cool thanks. yeah alot of my friends say get a diesel,ive had a dodge ram diesel trans problems and other issues chevys are cool but alot of suspension and fuel injection problems and the fords are good but not sure with all the recalls so looking for a ford 1/2 ton or maybe a 3/4 ton gas i can drive stick.glad i signed up here thanks again.oh on the ford 1/2 tons these are not solid axle right only on the 3/4 ton depending on years.might look for a 3/4 ton or 1 ton

 

'96 is the last year for the older body style trucks. Stick to the '96 and older.

Right, none of the half tons have solid axles.

 

Here's the biggest reason not to buy a 97'-03' Although the best selling vehicle, it was also the deadliest vehicle in the U.S., including imports! I know my 87' wouldn't fold up like these! bridger.us Archive Crash Testing: MINI Cooper vs Ford F150 Warning: If anybody is driving this generation, this link will ruin your day!

 

The twin traction beam is as solidly built as they come. Personally, I'd look for an F-250 HD with the either the 351 or the 7.3L diesel. Go for the auto trans, you;ll be fine. Try to avoid the auto locking hubs if possible.

My '88 has been real tough on alternators but nothing else really chronic. Very solid platform to work from but likewise, also very outdated. Parts are plentiful and reasonably priced.

Good luck and welcome.

 

A little note about years: In March of 1995 (I think it was March 22) the E4OD auto trans got an update. It is a long transmission, and the shaft witht the planetary gear sets on it was previously supported on just the ends of it the trans, starting that production day, a center support bearing was added. I am just restating what my father told me when I was shopping for one of these trucks. He said the center support update significantly reduced the number of E4OD's he had to overhaul while working at a Ford dealership. Just a thought.

Oh and those auto hubs aren't just kind of bad, they're trash. Manual lockouts are the only way to go with these trucks, but don't turn down a truck with autos, they're not difficult to swap out nor too expensive. Besides, if the autos still work, it means the truck has never seen any real off road use. Push button shift isn't great either, but its what I ended up with, although, no problems yet. I've been told to just use it somewhat regularly and I won't have any problems.

The 351w isn't the gas gussler you might think it is, you just have to drive nice and not go much above 70mph. Also, keep clean fuel and air filters in it, and change plugs, cap & rotor about every 50-60k. City I average 11 or 12mpg, but highway (as in run a whole tank without stopping) I get 16-17 unloaded. The only non stock thing on my truck is that one cat melted so I hollowed it out. My odometer is at 158k and I've never been stranded.
Good luck

 

thanks guys im keeping notes what to look for ,what years to avoid
yeah alot out there for sale,my last truck was a 03 chevy k1500 alot of electrical problems dead batterys,oil leaks,waterpumps i want to get a solid truck to fix up not looking to tow a big tralier 5k and under i looked at a truck early tonight. 99 ford f250 6.8 liter 4x4 6,500 not sure still reading up on the ford options.dont want to buy a money pit been there done that with the dodge 2 transmisons in a year.ill go to the f-250 section of this website and ask some questions there thanks guys









1992 Ford F-150 Custom XLT 5.8L V8 4x4 Tan Truck. A Ford F-150 at Toyota Marin San Rafael CA

 

That's a solid looking truck. You'd expect a price like that at a dealer. Should be a good platform to start with, considering your goals.

Two question though. What's up with the tach? And is it lifted at all?