even though ya'll are probably a bit biased i was just wondering which generation you all think is the best overall.

 

87-96

While the newer models unquestionably had improvements, especially in passenger comfort, the older models had a chassis that was used for 17 years (if you count the 97 f-250/350s). Which means parts are widely available, and cheap, and power upgrades are simple, easy to do, and if you're willing to go backwards, you can drop a carbed 460 big block into an f-150 and have the ultimate sleeper.

just my .02

and I'm definately biased, I still prefer the 80-86

 

87-96 hands down. there is a reason you see more of these trucks on the road than any other. they are down rite dependable and tough as nails. i mean how can you go wrong there. from my experience working on these as well is that they in general are easier to work on, and cheaper to repair in the event that something may go wrong....plus everyone knows that those 97-03 f150's eat the hell outa some damn ball joints. i do atleast 2-6 a week. just my .02.......

 

Personally I like these older ones for ease of working on, affordability and availability of parts.

Newer trucks improved passenger comfort, but driver ergonomics is the same for me so kinda a toss up on that one.

also I prefer the older one or the latest edition (10/11 models) for design. A truck is meant to be stout and rugged. from 97-09 Ford trucks "lines" got softer and softer... basically I call those years "Girly Trucks"

the frames on the older trucks also in my experience are better built.


just my opinion.

 

i really like the older body style, in fact i own a 1992! but was interested in upgraded, just wanted to see if it really was worth it. thanks for the replies keep em comin

 

I'll simply put it this way the old push rod engines had more torque were substancially less sophisticated. the 87-96 trucks are far more attractive since they aren't all rounded off with no contour or personality when compared the older body style, they have solid frames as apposed to the car trucks(97-09)'s Crumple zone frames. Frankly I don't buy a truck to simulate driving a car I buy trucks to WORK so a cars ride is not high on my list. if I want a car I'll get a car!!! the Modular engines eh not overly impressed more complicated to fix/less torque compared to the equivelant displacement pushrod engine I could say more but I think that will suffice for now

 

I have to say I am leaning towards the 80-97 F-series from personal experience... I have three of them what can I say! Like others said the older trucks have more years of interchangability. To convert an 80-96 1/2 ton 2wd to 4wd is a bolt in swap, can't do that with the newer ones. The older trucks seem to have a stronger frame. Although all of them from probably 92 and up had really bad frame rust issues... at least where I live. The interior of the newer trucks have more creature comforts. I personally still prefer the older ones. The motors: I prefer the older designs the newer 4.2 V6 has absolutely nothing on the the old bulletproof 300 six. The old pushrod V8s were tough long living engines, it really didn't matter what engine you got in a 96 and older truck they were all very good. I am gaining respect for the new modular engines, the 4.6 and 5.4 they seem to be proving themselves to be tough and reliable. I have heard of people getting upwards of 400,000 plus miles out of them. I heard of a guy who had a 5.4 in an Econoline van with 1 million miles on it. I'm not a huge fan of the V10 although it too seems to be proving itself worthy, I'd rather have a 460. I'll take a TTB over any a-arm torsion bar set up. I hate the new 4wd systems, I'll take manual hubs any day over that rinky dink vacuum front axle disconnect crap. I hate to think Ford was copying Chevy with their wimpy worthless IFS set up in the 88 and up trucks. I can see probably some day I'll end up owning one of the 97 and newer trucks, that's okay with me... but I still prefer the old iron.

 

actually , the basic chassis is the same from 1973 to 1996 + 1997 hd , the 96- is the better truck

 

I'll keep an '87 to '96 in my stable of vehicles until the day I die, or parts availability makes it unfeasible to keep. I have owned and worked on the later models, and I absolutely hate many of the things that the new trucks have. For example:

1. That 4.2 V6 is as weak as a marathon runner having an asthma attack. Sure, it MIGHT be adequate for commuting, but put any load in the bed, and that thing shows how wimpy it really is. And if you have a load and an automatic, pray it makes it up the hill.

2. The 4.6 and 5.4 V8s did have a plug spitting problem in the '97 to '03s. And speaking of plugs, removal of those plugs is a PITA compared to the old pushrod L6 and V8s. 2004 and later had plugs that would seize in the heads and would break off, costing anywhere up to $1000 to just replace spark plugs.

3. Then there is the Variable Valve Timing system in the 2004 and later 5.4 that is quite failure prone. AND when it fails, it usually costs near $3000 to have it fixed by your friendly dealership mechanic. Funny how that old timing chain on the earlier pushrod V8s and the gear driven cam on the L6 NEVER had any problems.

IMHO, Ford made a great step backwards in reliability and repairability when they went with the modular V8s and that V6 (which is no longer available). And the design of the later pickups, to me, leaves a lot to be desired from 1997 to 2008.

 

i think i'm gonna keep the 1992, even guys on the newer gen board are favoring the older ones.

 

I agree 100% with what AZ Bill posted-plus I'd like to add that the 4wd system on the older trucks (shift lever & manual hubs) is much more reliable than the newer electrically shifted, vacuum actuated set-up.

 

Anything from 96 and older is > anything 97 and newer.

 

Any people that watched Ford over the years will notice that Ford usually puts all their technology into their F series trucks because they bring in the money, but they still waited 7 years to put the modular into the F series line for a good reason. I refer to the 97-03 as the "Ford Tarus Truck", I'm thankful for the Super Duty line that brought a truck back to Ford dealerships. I have had nothing but praise to say about my 4.6/4r70w in my crown victoria and I know it would be a good engine for a F150 but I wish they would have kept the 5.0 as a option, seeing how they had it in the explorer for a while. Technology in trucks sucks at first but we get used to it. I remember when everyone was crying about fuel injection when it first came out.

 

I vote for the 87-96 vintage, having owned an '89 and still owning a '92. In fact, I stopped buying a new truck every 4 years when they went to the '97 F150 body style, which I HATED with a passion. In fact I held out until this year, when I moved up to an F250. That said, my 300/5 speed and 302/5 speed drivetrains in the '89 and '92, respectively, were absolutely rock solid reliable, going 150K miles with no major problems. Biggest problem on both trucks were the lousy factory ball joints/tie rod ends/U joints, all of which I had to replace quite early.

As far as the '97 and up, the body style had a car like, wimpy, small look, front 4x4 that looked like a FWD car, no manual hubs, lousy V6 option, trouble prone V8 spark plugs, etc. In the later years, the style became more truck like and it grew on me, but the lack of a stick shift option led me the F250 this year.

Post '97, I thought the Chevy's looked better than the Fords, but lately, the new Chevy's look horrible with the weird fender/tire style and plastic bumper ends.

 

I have both styles, and my 99 will run circles around my 94. Ride/ confort/ towing. Theres not one thing that i like more about 94, other than its a tough work truck.

My vote is 97+.

I dont know what the raquet about the frames being weak, i have never seen anybody bend the frame of a 97+ let alone a 87-96. Maintenance on the two trucks is about the same in my eyes.

Plus the 5.4l has more HP and more Tq than any stock 5.8l had in a truck. And it makes it at a lower rpm.