Ok guys I'm not looking to start a war just wanting some honest opinions.I've been looking for a used pickup for about a month now and I'm having a hard time finding what I want.Basically I'm looking for an extended cab shortbox in good shape with as low of mileage as I can find.I only have about $5000 to spend so finding something in good shape without having a lot of miles on it is tough(I live in the rust belt of southern Ontario).I am currently looking at two trucks.One is a 1996 F-150,302,auto, loaded with all the toys in very good shape rustwise with just over 200,000 kilometers on it.It doesn't feel overly powerful when I drive it but I've never driven a similarly equipped truck before so I don't know if its tired or not...Tonight I spotted an early 90s GMC extended cap with a 305,auto that has just been painted and looks really mint.It's got 185,000 kms on it with a freshly rebuilt transmission.It's a fairly basic truck with only air conditioning as an option.I've always been a die hard ford guy who does his own maintenance but I have to say looking under the hood of the EFI 302 looks a little overwhelming to me.The TBI 305 chevy looks much more simple to work on,probably at the cost of a little horsepower and effeciency(I'm guessing).I've never owned a chevy but then again I've never owned a newer style ford either(1996 is new to me,LOL)..I would welcome any opinions of anyone who may have owned both.I haven't test driven the chevy or even heard it run so I may answer my own questions when that happens.

 

Me, I'd worry less about brand and more about getting the best truck for your money, regardless of brand.

I used to own an old Dodge pickup, as well as a late 80's Chevy pickup. Both did the jobs I asked them to and eventually became experiments with wheels

Before you buy any vehicle, I'd do a vaccum test and a dry/wet compression test and see the health of the engine. I have 388K on my F350 and it's finally getting really tired and less reliable. The old chevy I had I bought used, with 180K on the odo. The compression was good, obviously mostly unloaded highway miles, and the truck lasted many years until I sold it because I had too many vehicles in the driveway.

I'm noit a fan of the GM 305, but I'm also not a fan of the 302 either. Both engines are great in sedans but pushed much harder in a much heaver, less aerodynamic pickup. But if you find a truck in good condition, why the heck not if the price is right.

Oh, since this is a Ford truck forum, by ford

(kidding)

 

I had a 91 gmc xcab 4x4.I got rid of it with 240,000 miles on it and the only thing I ever replaced was the transmission.GM injection setups are alot simpler and are reliable.I don't think I would want a 305 though.

 

305.....bleh


350.....thats worth considering. 302 vs 305, I would go for the 302. But, 302 vs 350, I would go with the 350.

 

That 305 is rough. They were engines used in impalas and such and did well but when you put it in a truck just something about them together they fight. Like Fred said do some simple tests on both engines. if the 305 is the victor then GM will roll under you but go with something that will be worth the money dont look at names for the money you are spending.

 

i'm as much pro-chevy as i am pro-ford (wired, huh?). IMO, i'd pass on both and look for a truck that either had the 350 (chevy) or the 351 (Ford).

Mike

 

Bingo!

 

HI 200.000 km is a lot for a 302 I think if it were a 351 it wouldnt matter as much.HA HA I like that (rust belt of southern ONTARIO) ITs just as bad up here in T.W.D salt capital of northen ONTARIO .

 

My F-150 302 auto has 333,000 kilometers on it..

lol the way I see it, if the truck has a nice clean body/frame, who cares what the motor has, just gives me a reason to start rebuilding another 302 in the garage incase it decides to quit on me

 

Well I test drove the chevy today and it drove nice but it was just too gutless.It would have been ok to haul around the family and maybe something in the box but I sure wouldn't want to pull anything with it..I bought the ford and it drives like a dream.It definetly has more jump than the 305,at least the one I drove.

 

If you look close at the front of both of those trucks you can see that the answer was circled!
-Matt

 

HaHa sounds like a true nascar fan

 

If your looking for a truck under 5000, you should look at my 91 supercab shortbox 4x4 In the process of getting the rust repaired and new paint! Between the two though, I would go for the 302. The 305 chevy has never really been that great of an engine. It is pretty reliable, but gets terrible mileage and is very underpowered. The 302 is alot better for both, but there again once you start hauling, then maybe a guy should look at a 350 or 351! Oh and 200,000 k is not alot for a 302 motor. On my old 89 4x4 I had it had 480,000 on it and ran like a dream still!

 

I have had three trucks with 302,s and sure I got over 300.000km just saying IT seems to me after 200k they loose there oomf I am not ruff on em take good care of my stuff . whatever doesn,t matter what we think anyway, at least dude bought a real truck!