I'm currently looking for a 94-96 F150 4x4 and I have some questions about options and features that you all can hopefully help me with.

1. All the trucks that I have looked at have the transfer case shifter through the floor. Which models came with the buttons on the dash for shifting the transfer case? Was that an option on every model or was it only available on say the Eddie Bauer?

2. Which automatic transmissions came in an F150 with the 351 engine? 4R7W or other?

3. Did Ford make the F150 Extra Cab with the long bed in these years?

4. What are the main differences between the F150 and the F250 if they both have the 351 engine?

Thanks for your help!

 

Welcome to FTE!!

- You could get either the push-button or the floor shifted t-case. In my experience, the push button ones are nowhere near as reliable. If you plan on using the 4x4, then you want a floor shifted model with manual locking hubs. The auto hubs are junk and *WILL* fail on you.

- E4OD, 4R70W were the options. Look on the driver's side door sticker under TRANS. E = E4OD, I can't remember the other one.

- Yes, they are around.

- There are HUGE differences between the two. Frame, axles, suspension, brakes, wheels, for starters. Bigger trucks also had bigger radiators and a tranny cooler standard.

If it were me, I'd stay away from a 1996. They have OBD-II and are much more complicated to diagnose and repair. If someone else is doing all your wrenching for you, it's probably not much of an issue.

 

[QUOTE=andym]- There are HUGE differences between the two. Frame, axles, suspension, brakes, wheels, for starters. Bigger trucks also had bigger radiators and a tranny cooler standard.

The differences you list between the F150 and F250 make the F250 sound a whole lot heavier. Does that mean that the towing capacity of the F250 is less than the F150 if they both have the 351? If that is true, what was the purpose of putting the 351 in the F250?

 

no, if anything the towing capacity goes up with the F250. yes, you're pulling that much more weight, but now you have the beefier suspnesion, rear end, etc. to handle more weight.

Mike

 

Yup, mine will fail someday. I'm still waiting; its been twelve years.
I've never done anything to them except clean them every 3 or 4 years.

 

I have a '95 but '95 and '96 were almost the exact same thing except for the OBD-II engine management. '95 and '96 were "facelifted" from '92-'94, differences like airbags and a little crease along the bottom edge of the door are what come to mind off the top of my head.

1. My truck has pushbutton transfer case, just to the left of the radio, and it is "only" an XLT. I WISH it had the lever. The first sign of trouble, it is getting the other transfer case with the lever out of the junkyard, not much more than the cost to replace that darn electric motor. It came with auto locking hubs but they have been long replaced with manual hubs.

2. I was pretty sure that the only auto transmission (only transmission at all for that matter) that came behind the 351 in an F-150 from that time period was an E4OD. 1995 was the year they got the E4OD right, BTW. F-250's and above offered an option of the ZF 5 speed manual box and possibly something else but I think that was it. Nothing smaller than the E4OD or ZF that were offered at that time were rated to stand up to a 351.

3. You bet they did. I have one. It is 20' long and does not fit in a standard parking space but holy crap can I pack some stuff in it for long weekends.

4. Like these guys said, the F-250 was a lot heavier, different rear end, etc. The 351 and gearbox combo is not the only determining factor in towing capacity, it is the weakest link, which in the case of the F-150 is the suspension and rear end. Beef those up by buying the F-250 chassis and the 351 can tow more. 351 was a lower cost option, you could get the 460 or diesel in the F-250. I don't think many F-250's were sold with much less than a 351 though, although I know there are some with 300's (damn good engine) and 302's floating around.

 

1996 4x4 XLT

has the 5.0L 302 with 4R70W 4 speed auto and manual shifting tranfer case. I love this truck! OBD II engine diagnostics, I've had no troubles, it's equipped with MAF already, bolt-on mods are no problem.

U= 4R70W tranny code in the door sticker.

I believe only E4OD with the 351, then in late 90 (98-99 ish) 4R100

 

A few people swear by them, what I hear in common is all of those people take them apart, clean and lube them periodically. Dirt, lack of lube and corrosion will ruin any hub, auto or manual. I have switched over to manuals though myself, would rather know for sure when they're in or out. I just ignore my Chevy driving friends' jokes when I have to get out to turn them. They haven't let me down once.