Looking for a truck!
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
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Looking for a truck!
Hey i'm 16 years old and looking for a ford truck. I thought whats better than getting help from people who take pride in there trucks. What do i look for when purchasing trucks. My last car was a 1987 porsche 944 and that was to much for me, stuff was breaking left and right i was out 1000's...
Pretty much, i want either a regular cab, or extended cab with a SHORT box and it HAS to be a manual. No automatics.
-What do i look for when purchasing this vehicle?
-I'm looking for something with the body style of the 1996. I'm not an expert at all when it comes to trucks, although i would like to learn about them.
Thanks guys!
Pretty much, i want either a regular cab, or extended cab with a SHORT box and it HAS to be a manual. No automatics.
-What do i look for when purchasing this vehicle?
-I'm looking for something with the body style of the 1996. I'm not an expert at all when it comes to trucks, although i would like to learn about them.
Thanks guys!
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
If it HAS to be a manual, then you're better off looking at the later years in this model generation. The earlier trucks had firewall issues (mine included) that wouldn't allow full clutch travel because the firewall would flex and move. There are two repair kits available from ford to fix the issue, depending on how bad it has gotten. I was lucky enough to get away with the cheap little bracket kit.
Another advantage of the later years is that in 94 the v8 motors switched from flat tappet to roller cams. And in 95 they started putting MAF fuel injection instead of speed density.
Another advantage of the later years is that in 94 the v8 motors switched from flat tappet to roller cams. And in 95 they started putting MAF fuel injection instead of speed density.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
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Thank You so much. I have lots to learn. I'll try and post of a picture of the one that i want to buy from craigslist and what the seller has posted. Help me decide. If i can come up with good reasons to purchase and i explain them to my dad (he is paying for truck, i'm paying monthly to him) then i will have myself a good lookn truck
Seller---
"1996 Ford F150 4X4 short box pickup for sale. I'm the third owner, however truck has been in the same family since new. Has the following features:
96,500 original miles
New paint
New stereo
4" Trailmaster lift
33 X 12.50" all terrain tires with chrome wheels (apprx 15,000 miles on them)
Sprayed in bed liner
Treadplate tool box and bed rails
6 cylinder engine
4-speed manual transmission with overdrive
I live at the coast but work in Hillsboro so I will drive the truck out if you want to see/drive. $4,750.00 OBO."
Seller---
"1996 Ford F150 4X4 short box pickup for sale. I'm the third owner, however truck has been in the same family since new. Has the following features:
96,500 original miles
New paint
New stereo
4" Trailmaster lift
33 X 12.50" all terrain tires with chrome wheels (apprx 15,000 miles on them)
Sprayed in bed liner
Treadplate tool box and bed rails
6 cylinder engine
4-speed manual transmission with overdrive
I live at the coast but work in Hillsboro so I will drive the truck out if you want to see/drive. $4,750.00 OBO."
Junior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: San Luis Obispo, CA
I would look for a v8 if it were me. I think you would be happier with a 5.0L (302) or even a 5.8L (351) than the 6 cylinder
What exactly are you looking to use your truck for? As a truck, just as a car, off road, etc...
What exactly are you looking to use your truck for? As a truck, just as a car, off road, etc...
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
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Well a mixture of everything. A short commute from school to work then on the weekends finally having my own truck to go wheeling with my friends and there jeeps. I just like the v6 because i'm 16 years old and gas is hell. I do drive quite a bit..
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 363
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Just so you know, it's not actually a V6. It has the 300 cubic inch inline 6 which is a different design. There are a lot of people that like that particular 6 cylinder including myself It's a good engine. Do some google research on the ford 300 inline 6 and you'll see. But it's not fast, and it's not really great on gas either. About as good as the 5.0 V8 with a manual transmission. Expect less than 20 mpg. But they really do last a long time. There are members here with over 300,000 miles on the inline 6, and they are still running good.
If all you want to do is get to school, and go wheeling, that truck will be good. You should get someone with some experience to look at it with you. Make sure it hasn't been in an accident, drives down the road straight, wears the tires evenly, etc. If the truck eats up front tires it could be pretty expensive for you...truck tires aren't cheap.
And really, for the price they are asking, the truck should be perfect. No blemeshes or problems whatsoever. That is premium price for a run-of-the-mill F150
Junior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 85
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From: San Luis Obispo, CA
for your situation, it sounds like the inline 6 would do fine. but it is also true that the mpg of the 6 cylinder would be about the same as a 5.0 v8. this is because a 6 cylinder in a full-size pickup must work harder than a v8.
keep in mind, full-size pickups were not made for fuel economy (especially back in the 90s)
keep in mind, full-size pickups were not made for fuel economy (especially back in the 90s)
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 170
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From: South Florida
The inline 6 is about as big as the smaller v8. 4.9L vs 5.0L
Some people actually prefer the inline 6 over the 5.0 for towing because it makes its power lower in the rpm range.
Some people actually prefer the inline 6 over the 5.0 for towing because it makes its power lower in the rpm range.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
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The 4.9 has a much longer stroke than the 5.0, plus only 2 cubic inches difference in displacement, giving it a better torque advantage. Plus the inline 6 design is a naturally smooth, balanced design vs any V style engine, meaning it has the potential to last longer. They both have their benefits in my mind, no reason to turn away from either in a light duty truck application. The straight 6 is actually considered to be a better "truck" engine vs the small displacement V8 like the 302, 289, or 4.6. The 351 is a whole different story.
Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 970
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From: Northeast Ohio
I love my 351w with a 5sp its got 214000 miles and still runs like a top jus throwning that out there keep your eyes open i got my truck for 2300 bucks and it will probly outlast the 10k dollar suv thats parked next to it you rele cant go wrong with these trucks specialy with a 5sp and a manual 4x4
Junior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: San Luis Obispo, CA
I love my 351w with a 5sp its got 214000 miles and still runs like a top jus throwning that out there keep your eyes open i got my truck for 2300 bucks and it will probly outlast the 10k dollar suv thats parked next to it you rele cant go wrong with these trucks specialy with a 5sp and a manual 4x4
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