Hey guys;

I'm looking to buy my first truck since I took my 79 f250 off the road in 2008.

Here is the ad I found:

straight 6 that runs great. 4 wheeldrive with locking hubs. 133,833 original miles. some body rust normal amount for vehicles age. no air conditioning. automatic transmission. 8ft bed. new front gas tank and fuel pump new back gas tank and fuel pump. new universal joint, new ball joints, new brakes, and new starter.

Guy is looking for 2500.

In the pictures it looks pretty good with a little rust over the tires. The side of the truck says f150 sport. I asked for some interior pictures and it looked ok. I make good money between 2 jobs but I am separated from my wife and paying a lot for daycare, new apartment etc. so not a lot of money to spend. That is the reason I did most of my searches for trucks with a straight six. My dad used to tell me how tough they are. I'm thinking if I can get my hands on a low mileage in shape 4.9l , even though ill be paying more for gas than a car, less repairs will even out my needing more gas.

The only mod in the immediate future if I get it is a lift.

What are some issues / things to look for? I will admit that I am not very mechanically inclined unlike my dad who could do it all. I've changed tires, oil, brake pads and installed a water pump. The last 2 with some help but it was pretty straight forward.

I have a great mechanic who does real good work and is very reasonably priced. He agreed to look at anything I want to buy for me but I want to just see if there are any issues I can spot myself before I bring the truck to him I don't want to waste his time.

I've also seen some really nice deals on a couple of trucks in the same year range ( I was looking at trucks from 90-96 ) with a 302.

My search criteria is automatic 4x4 preferably 8ft bed . Ideally an extended cab so I can put my 5yo daughter back there but they seem a little rarer .

My dream truck is anything 68-79 they are my favorite years but a lot harder to find in my price range.

atm I have 2800 ....eventually I can get it up to 4k ish.



Sorry, that's a lot of stuff to digest but I look forward to any responses

Thanks,

Rob

 

I have a 96 F150 with the straight 6 and love it. It appears to me that the most common problem with these trucks is the cross flow fuel issue. You say that the tanks/pumps have been replaced on both side mount and rear mount tanks. Do you know if the sending units have been replaced also? The sending unit is basically the bracket that the pump is fixed to inside the tank. The sending unit and pump make up what is called the Fuel Delivery Module, or FDM. If both FDM's have been replaced, you are good to go. It sounds like a good deal to me. The straight 6 will run for a long time (300,000+) if taken care of.
To give you a price comparison, I bought a 96 Eddie Bauer F150, with straight 6, manual 5 speed for $4000. It only had 95,000 miles, and was rust free. I think I over paid a little, but rust free trucks are hard to find here in Michigan, and it was what I wanted, so I overpaid probably about $500-$1000.

 

Always expect about $1000 in repairs for a "new" used truck, whether its fluid changes, a leaky radiator, tires, shocks, windshield, whatever, they all need something. You mention having little disposable income, then mention you want to lift it, but you don't do your own wrenching. Seems quite contradictory to me. The things that tell me you shouldn't buy a truck like this (old): you don't do all your own wrenching, you're low on disposable income, and it sounds like you're buying it to do the job of a car. These trucks are reliable--not maintenance free. Most of us on here are working on them fairly often, just little things, but it adds up fast in a shop. So from one perspective it sounds like a bad idea.

But, there's nothing wrong with buying a truck simply because you want it, and being you've had a truck before, clearly you know what you're getting into. The 96' 4.9L with an E4OD automatic trans should be a good rig. That was the most updated E4OD made, and the truck will be MAF with OBDII (OBDII was mandated in 96'). One cool deal with OBDII is you can buy a bluetooth code reader ($23 on Amazon) that links up with a free app on your smart phone (called Torque)that enables you to check codes and watch real time data from all the sensors. Some things to pay attention to would be the rear leaf spring hangers, radiator core support, cab corners, rear wheel arches, they all rot out easily. The spring hangers would have to be repaired, the rest is mostly cosmetic. Check for leaks and check fluids (ATF, motor oil, coolant, PS reservoir). Road test it and decide if you like it. Then take it to your mechanic if all that passes your inspection.

 

I have a 1996 F150 4x4 4.9l XLT 5-speed manual and I also love it. I also have to agree with both GoinBoarding and joegeds - there is definitely BIG-TIME truth in the quote above.

I crawled underneath mine and took a good look at it before I bought it. I only saw surface rust on parts underneath, overall not much rust for a midwest truck. There is a little over the rear wheels and a little at the front of the cab corner on the driver's side. I plan to work on those myself.

It did have worn ball joints. Firestone quoted me $880+/- plus tax to replace the ball joints and do front wheel alignment. Sales tax where I live put the total at $970!!! OUCH! Now, I don't typically take my vehicles to Firestone or other chain shops unless I can really see the value in doing so. I had the ball joints replaced by the auto tech program at a local community college. They charge only for parts, not labor. Parts were $330 +/-. Places like Firestone are charging $95/hour for labor!!!! The ball joints were something I couldn't do myself.

If it passes your tests and your mechanic's inspection, I say start with an offer of no more than $2000 and go up to $2500 if you feel confident in doing so.

Good luck, if this truck doesn't quite do it for you, keep looking. There are more out there, you just have to find them.

 

Thanks for all your responses guys. Unfortunately I'm not a wrench turner but like I said above I have a great mechanic that knows I'm a poor **** and the deals he gives me are crazy. He's a genuinely great guy. Case in point just 2 hours ago I was pulling into McDonalds with my daughter when a woman driving buy screamed out...YOU HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS. My daughter and I ate real quick and my mechanic is on the same road so I went straight there after.

I pulled up and asked one of his guys to check my lights for me while I went to find him. He was replacing an engine in a I think it was a Grand Cherokee. He immediately stopped what he was doing , came over and asked what was wrong. I told him and he told me to back my car behind the bay he was working in. As soon as I was backed in he got to work on it. While he was working I asked what he was doing and he told me he was replacing the engine in the Cherokee and needed to have it done before he left for vacation tomorrow night. I told him to stop working on my car since he had alot to do.

His response was....What am I gonna do leave you without lights?

He then proceeded to work exclusively on my car until he fixed it. Replaced a few parts and got me squared away. I went in with no brake lights and a burned out low beam bulb on my drivers side. He replaced the Stop light switch and the headlight for next to nothing and sent me on my way.

I remember a few times pulling in with a problem and he'll squeeze me in. He knows I work 2 jobs so he'll get me fixed up in time to make it to job number 2.

You guys mentioned a few things to look out for which is perfect. I'll look for those issues that you mentioned . I described the truck I was looking into today to my mechanic while he was fixing my brake lights and he mentioned some of those same things that you guys did. Right now I have 2800 and will have 3 grand by Friday. If all goes well I will have a few hundred more by the end of next week. I am hoping that all goes well with the truck and maybe I can get it for less than his asking of 2500 and the remaining money will be my cushion for pop up repairs and front to back fresh fluids .

Damn I talk to much

Thx guys

Rob

 

Basically I am looking for a truck to be my daily driver. My day job is 3 miles from my apartment and my night job is 8 miles from my apartment. I will be treating it like a car pretty much except for times when I'm moving things, Home depot runs and when we get snow.

I recently separated from my wife and I needed to rent a truck to move my ****....that made me mad...I'm so used to having a truck to do it myself. Then there's the whole thing of being in a car 5 inches off of the pavement pisses me off as well. Cant see sheit...

Currently Im driving a 1997 Nissan Sentra. Good little beater but ....ugh.

One other truck besides the 96 with the straight 6 I mentioned above was this on here for 2300:

Selling my 1993 ford f150 xlt v8 pickup truck for $2300
Clean truck no accidents clean title everything solid come take a look
8 Foot bed with liner
302 V8
140,000 miles

I also saw 2 other nice straight six ones with low mileage but the titles were rebuilt. Rebuilt can be anything from being totaled.....flood damage.... or a repossession correct?

 

Those old Nissan Sentras can be really long-lasting cars (my sister's had close to 300k when they donated to a family at their church, and it still ran fine).... But back to the truck issue, yes, I believe rebuilt title can be from just about anything from significant hail damage (all cosmetic) to catastrophic flooding/or frame-damaging accident.

You're in a good location if you're that close to your jobs.

It's worth it to get the VIN and pay for a CARFAX if you are truly interested in any vehicle. At least then you'll know service and accidents were reported to the database.

Is the '93 302 V8 truck you mention a 4x4? You said you wanted a 4x4. 4-wheel drive makes winter driving so much better.

Finding a truck with an extended cab and an 8' bed is pretty difficult around my area. Besides, trucks that long can be a B*TCH to park unless you have plenty of room. I would say you might be happier with the extended cab and 6' bed if you're not hauling stuff frequently.

Your mechanic sounds like a dream come true. I would treasure that guy and take good care of him! Next time you take your vehicle to him, give him a little tip if you can spare a few bucks. Definitely take any vehicle you're considering to your mechanic and have him look over EVERYTHING, especially if you're not very mechanically inclined. Make sure you know how 4-wheel drive is supposed to work, too, if you don't already.

 

Yes the 93 with the 302 does have 4x4. So far the best options that I can find in my price range are a few 302 and a few 4.9. There's also a nice one with a 351 but since I will be treating this truck as a car pretty much except for a few instances I shouldn't need that much motor. MPG wise I know 90 percent of it is driving habits but a rough ranking should look like this best to worse correct? 4.9..302..351. I am going to try to squeeze every last drop out of whatever I end up getting. Ill do the usual fluids update etc and I've heard that a Tonneau Covers can add 1 mpg. Eventually Ill probably get a modest lift, no more that 4 inches and Ill definitely level it...for some reason a truck with a higher ***-end annoys me. Hopefully a small lift wont worsen my mpg but if so I can live with it..

One other thing is that at work they are paying a company to come in and recycle all their old computers. The IT guy was saying that someone could make some decent money every 3 months or so if they took the computers away and did it themselves. So a few times a year ill be fillin her up with a mess of old computers to recycle/sell.

So other than that, the 4x4 for winter driving and the ability to hit home depo and move my own stuff around not having to rent a truck....Ill treat her like a big overgrown car.

As for my mechanic... he's the best I've ever had. I went to him when my regular mechanic was all booked up and had suggested him. He was a good mechanic as well but this particular problem was electrical and he was having a hard time figuring it out and his friend was known for being good at electrical problems.

I went to check this new mechanic out and he asked me what was up I told him and he smiled and said don't worry I'm great with electrical work. 20 min later it was finished. He had stopped what he was doing to help me on that occasion as well. He's been my only mechanic ever since.

 

The fuel injected 4.9 and 5.0 are both rated to get about 14 city -18 hwy mpg. I find this is about right for my 4.9. The F.I. 5.8 is rated for about 13/17. Driving habits and gearing will make the biggest difference in mpg if the vehicle is tuned and running correctly.

I've heard that tonneau covers can net you another 1 mpg also, but I've also heard they don't make a difference at all. I imagine it would only be noticeable if most of your driving were on the highway. A lift will negatively affect your mpg. I cannot say how much, though. A wild guess: 4" would probably cost you 1 mpg.

I definitely wish I had an extended cab sometimes. It's a bummer to have to put certain things in the bed when it's raining. If you haul computers and such, a tonneau cover would probably be invaluable. Shop around. The really nice ones are expensive.

I recommend trucks with manually-locked hubs. While it's inconvenient to get out and lock the hubs, the manual hubs are less trouble-prone. I have manual hubs and floor-shifted 4x4.

Good luck in your search and let us know what truck you get, if you get one.

 

I felt my 4.9 was a v8 level pig, without the v8 level fun/power. However, I do not know what the higher mileage maint is on a v8. My guess, if you aren't going 351 or need a v8, the I6 isnt bad. the I6 was the most durable part of the truck. Timing gears vs belt/chain is supposedly part of it. When I had my ball joints done, I didnt know enough to make sure they used "pro" parts. 100k on a truck the OEMs are usually due. The cheapies only last about 20k, then you get f'd up tires. Older and wiser, when I got a 350, I did my own with good ones and saved $1500.

 

Thanks, I'll be going to look at those 2 trucks either tomorrow or later in the week. Only bad thing is the one being 3k. That's my exact budget....leaving no room.

 

Quick update. I asked the owners of both trucks for a pic of the drivers door sticker and I've gotten a response to the owner of this vehicle so far...


1996 F-150 straight 6 that runs great. $2500
4 wheel drive with locking hubs. 133,833 original miles. some body rust normal amount for vehicles age. no air conditioning. automatic transmission. 8ft bed. new front gas tank and fuel pump new back gas tank and fuel pump. new universal joint, new ball joints, new brakes, and new starter.


According to the codes it has a E40D with a 3.08 non LS gearing. I also asked if the Sending unit was replaced when he had both tanks done and he said he thought so.

I asked what mpg he got and he said 12-13. That seems low but he could have a lead foot.

Now this is all just bs from here on at this point but lets say this is the truck I choose. Some other gear options would be 2.73 and the 3.31 correct? What gearing would lead to the best MPG in a truck that is treated like a car ... will never tow anything, and will occasionally have loads in the bed and driven 4x4 in the snow. I would probably never change the gears, but was a just outta curiosity question.

Whatever truck I get I will keep a long time. I will slowly build up and do mods and additions. I get vehicles for long term. I've had a car to long and I'm looking forward to a nice truck that I can slowly ( since im a poor bastage ) do things to. Like a modest 2.5 lift and level....tonneau cover...maybe some performance mods etc. I will definitely get a spray in bed liner eventually and a full undercoating as well....no sense it trying to keep an older truck for the long haul and having it rust out from under you.

The other truck :

1991 Ford F-150 XLT $3000 116K mi
Changed plugs and wires not too long ago and changed the oil every 3k miles i baby this truck. New tires Futura Scrambler 31x10.50x15
5.0 V8, auto trans, new warn manual hubs. It is 4x4. The interior is in mint condition

I was talking with this guy last night via text and asked him about maintenance. He is the second owner and had the truck for a long time and has a receipt for every repair and oil change. And from the few pics I've seen the truck looks mint. Ill know more one I lay eyes on these sometime this week.

I have a funny feeling Ill like that one better but it will cut it close his ask is my total budget atm; but if its in significantly better shape and there's less to do perhaps till be worth it....The fact its got new tires alone is a plus lol. I remember tires costing me a lot with my last truck back in the day....

 

Update from Captain no luck:


All of the trucks I have listed previously fell through.


Within the last few days I found these...


96 F150 4x4 automatic with a straight six locking hubs 8ft bed and around 146k miles. Started talking to the guy but haven't heard back from him in 2 days.


Also found a 1985 f150 auto straight six with 276k miles on it. Owner had done a bunch of work on it. Wanted 1800 but there is a good deal of rust so dropped it to 1300. Might pass on this because to fix the rust would cost more than im payin for the truck. Its bad on the bed over both wheel wells, the passenger side cab corner is a little rusty and the driver side the rocker is shot ands there's a huge hole in the floor.


Kinda puts things in perspective when the bill to fix rust on a otherwise sound running truck costs more than the truck is worth.


Just today I found something that would be absolutely perfect which makes me leery of a typo:


1996 F-250 4x4 Ext Cab 8 FT Bed Dual Tank Locking Hubs Automatic......................................... ....With a 4.9L Straight 6.


I never knew you could get a F250 in the above configuration with a 4.9L . With my luck its a typo lol.


There are a lot of 4.9s here by me for sale like 25 or so. Of those 25 maybe 5 are 4x4 and 99 percent of all of those 25 ish trucks are manual. I never learned manual. I intend to one day but not now. I work 2 jobs and get on a good day 2 hours sleep a night during the day ....hmmm maybe the shifting will help me stay awake behind the wheel heh.


If the 96 F250 isn't a typo and looks good I'm all over that. Ill find out tomorrow.

 

276,000 miles, ill pass, no matter what hes done to it, or says he has done to it. the straight 6 is a great engine, every one will say that, and 16 mpg is what they get. transmission can go between 150,000 miles and up, expect to pay $2000.00 for a rebuild, fuel pumps last around 60 or 70 thousand miles, might get more. but all in all a good truck. i have almost 200,000 miles on mine, biught when it had 100,000 miles on it from original owner, done fuel pumps twice now and just had tranny done. still havent touched the power steering or smog pump.