What do you think of this 88?
New User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
What do you think of this 88?
Hello all. I am new here. Well sort of. I used to frquent here a lot when I owned a 97 250HD and then a 99 250SD. Well I traded in my 99SD for a new 99 Cobra convertable. What fun! Anyway, on to my question.
I am looking to get a used truck. I found this 88 F150 that I think is a steal. It is a 4x4, long bed, regular cab, C6, A/C, 1994 351 w/ 49,000miles. The body is fair shape. Lots of oxidation on the top surfaces and some surface rust, but no penatrations.
Drivetrain needs work too. Brakes are horrible and it's a full time effort to keep it going straight. However, I think I can deal with all of that fairly easily.
The engine is a 351 out of a 94F250. It runs great but has an issue with an erratic idle. Any ideas? He said it he took it to a local shop and they said it needs a throttle position sensor and a speed sensor. The speed sensor isn't even on the truck, fyi.
I think it is still a good deal. He is asking $2000 and I know I can get him to at least $1800 maybe more.
Any of you guys ever go over to the corral (www.corral.net)? It's a Mustang enthusiest sight.
Thanks!!
I am looking to get a used truck. I found this 88 F150 that I think is a steal. It is a 4x4, long bed, regular cab, C6, A/C, 1994 351 w/ 49,000miles. The body is fair shape. Lots of oxidation on the top surfaces and some surface rust, but no penatrations.
Drivetrain needs work too. Brakes are horrible and it's a full time effort to keep it going straight. However, I think I can deal with all of that fairly easily.
The engine is a 351 out of a 94F250. It runs great but has an issue with an erratic idle. Any ideas? He said it he took it to a local shop and they said it needs a throttle position sensor and a speed sensor. The speed sensor isn't even on the truck, fyi.
I think it is still a good deal. He is asking $2000 and I know I can get him to at least $1800 maybe more.
Any of you guys ever go over to the corral (www.corral.net)? It's a Mustang enthusiest sight.
Thanks!!
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 4
What do you think of this 88?
Id say thats a pretty good price , its hard to find a 4x4 anything for that price . The idle problem , if the Tps is dead , is an easy fix . It wouldnt hurt to clean the throttle body & idle speed control either . Clean those & retest the Tps . Sometimes carbon buildup in the throttle plates will cause initial erratic Tps readings .
New User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
What do you think of this 88?
Thanks for the response. I was wondering, in my experience with TPS it typically does not effect the idle. Can it? Same with the speed sensor. I would think they would both be more likely to effect driveability than idle. Is my thinking right?
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Lee's Summit MO
What do you think of this 88?
Go for it. Being it has a 94 motor, can you tell if it is a Speed Density or Mass air equipped? I have a 89 that is my second truck, the body is in great shape, but the motor is on it's last leg. I have a 302 at home, that I will eventually rebuild.
2000 grand it a great price!
Pastmaster's 1993 XLT 5.0 E40d 3.55LS Normal Cab/Long bed Loaded from the factory with aid of...MSd 6a ign/s.p. wires, blaster coil, Hypertech Chip, K&N filtercharger, Cat-back dual exhuast w/o mufflers, 3.5", echo tips, Accel distributor cap, Dark Mocha over light mocha. 5% Dark tint, Alpine Cd player/remote, Pioneer speakers.
2000 grand it a great price!
Pastmaster's 1993 XLT 5.0 E40d 3.55LS Normal Cab/Long bed Loaded from the factory with aid of...MSd 6a ign/s.p. wires, blaster coil, Hypertech Chip, K&N filtercharger, Cat-back dual exhuast w/o mufflers, 3.5", echo tips, Accel distributor cap, Dark Mocha over light mocha. 5% Dark tint, Alpine Cd player/remote, Pioneer speakers.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 1
From: Texas
What do you think of this 88?
Does the tube going from the air cleaner to the throttle body have a sensor mounted in the tube close to the air cleaner? If so then it's mass air. If not then it's likely speed density.
With mass air you can do performance upgrades more easily, because the computer is measuring the amount of air giong into the engine na dcan recalculate for it.
With speed density the computer takes a reading from the transmission and calculates the amount of fuel and air it should take to go that speed. So, with speed density upgrades aren't readily accepted by the computer, which throws everything off.
Hope this helps.
With mass air you can do performance upgrades more easily, because the computer is measuring the amount of air giong into the engine na dcan recalculate for it.
With speed density the computer takes a reading from the transmission and calculates the amount of fuel and air it should take to go that speed. So, with speed density upgrades aren't readily accepted by the computer, which throws everything off.
Hope this helps.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
What do you think of this 88?
HE siad he believed they used the 88 computer. Which probably means that they set it up for s/d. Also, the tubes from the throttle body to the air cleaner were similar to over sized radiator hoses and I don't recall seeing a m/a meter on them. I think they use a plastic runner when they use them right?
If that is true then, that this truck is a s/d, then it would be a very bad thing that the speed sensor on the tranny is not in place.
If that is true then, that this truck is a s/d, then it would be a very bad thing that the speed sensor on the tranny is not in place.
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