Looking at buying my first truck, and in a lot of ads on autotrader, or truck trader I see something saying "grannylo". What does this mean?

Also what are cats?

 

Cats are 4 legged furry animals....

Just joking, 'cats' usually refers to catalytic converters in the exhaust system. They are often removed to improve the rate at which exhaust gases exit, therefore improving perfomance, sound, and can also improve mileage. The problem with removing them is if you live in an area were vehicles are required to pass emissions testing, cars without 'cats' (meow) won't pass. (sorry, couldn't resist another one)

Your other question, granny low or granny gear: In Ford trucks with a manual transmission, the first gear is often very low and only used when towing a heavy load or climbing steep trails slowly, etc. You don't need it for regular driving and can start in second.
Hope that is the info you are looking for.

What kind of truck are you thinking about buying?

Jayson

 

I'm looking at a 1980-1996 F-150/250 for under $5k and under 100k miles.

I've found about 8 around here, that aren't in that bad shape. I really want one, I love 'em!

 

Cool, 2- or 4-wheel drive?

You might want to read up in the different truck year forums (80-86, etc) and see what else you can learn about them and what to look for when checking one over. It can be hard to choose, just be sure you know HOW you will be using the truck and find one that will best suit your needs. Good Luck!

Jayson

 

I have no preference really if it's 2 or 4 wheel drive.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

One more thing, if you have a little time and are close to some used car lots, go test drive every kind of truck you can, it will help you get an idea for what you like and dislike about the different years, options, sizes, engines, and other goodies.
Glad I could help,
Jayson

 

For a first car, and not a lot of money to spend on repairs. What should be the max mileage I buy the truck with?

 

Hey Fiend,

It is not so much the max mileag as it is the overall condition of the truck. There are extremes in either case, a low mileage truck that has been absolutely abused and at the other end you can have a truck with 100,000 miles, almost perfect paint and body and runs perfectly because it was properly maintained. Generally speaking, though, as mileage goes up over 130-140K, be weary, unless the price is right and it is still running strong. Incidentally, the other truck you posted about with the jasper engine might be a pretty good buy. Are you friends with a mechanic or know someone who is, who would be willing to look at a truck and do a pre-purchase inspection for you? Even if you don't know anybody, most shops don't charge too much to look over something for you, then you are getting (in theory) an unbiased opinion about it.

Things you could ask the owner are:
Do you have maint. records?
What did you use the truck for?
Why are you selling it?
Get the idea? You don't need to be an expert to spot a scam or a piece of junk. When you look at a truck, crawl around under it, look for rust on the body, leaks on the axles, tranny, engine, etc., look for anything questionable. (Why is there a giant dent in the gas tank?)

Anyway, these are just a few more thoughts. Hope it helps?

Jayson

 

I called the one with the new Jasper but it was sold, every one I have found with a decent price and under 100k miles by the time I find it it is sold!

Don't have any mechanic friends So i'd have to take it to a mechanic to get it looked over.

I'll mainly be driving to school/work and back, and a 400 mile round trip, trip, once a month in the school year.(which ends soon)

Haul trash and whatever else I need to. I don't drive many people around so I don't really care if I get ext. cab or not. I like the long beds because shorter ones look weird(IMHO).

The problem is I can't find many decently priced ones w/ under 100k miles. Most are @ 130k or so. Which would be my max. I just can't afford to have to put a new engine it so soon if it did get bad. Small things I can deal with, a engine rehaul or something no.

 

 

Greetings,
Hands down, best vehicle I've ever owned (from 22 different titles)
is my 1986 F1504x2 Styleside. The last year of that classic Ford look
from 80-86
4.9L 300"-6
4 sp. OD
3.03:1 gears
Medium Charcoal, Canyon red int.
PS PB

I bought it new for $9200.00 here in Maryland.
$199.00 a month for 48! The good ol days!!
164K miles on it...Not a single repair or complaint other than normal wear.
I was single when I bought it, but now the corporation is grown to wife and 2 kids,
hence my interest in a new Ford F250SD crew cab 4x4.
My truck had the "defective paint recall" in 1993, and <free of charge>
they completely stripped it down to bare metal and reshot the grey, with clear,
it still looks gorgeous for being 16 years old..I get a lot of compliments.
I was never quite fond of the 4th OD gear... unless I was going 75mph,
so 3rd has seen most of those miles.
Still a great ride... there are many to chose from if looking for used one.

Good Luck,
Dave

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-Oct-02 AT 07:32&nbsp;PM (EST)]Good luck in finding a good one, in our area it's very hard to even find a 97-99 with less than 100k miles on it. people buy these things and drive the **** out of them. And the ones that have 70-80k miles on them go for premium prices. Sometimes I almost wish I was looking for a chevy or gmc. plenty of those around. :P

I had one salesman tell me that 100k on a 98 was (standard mileage), hehe, I guess it might be for a FORD pickup. but to me that's 20K miles too many for a 4 year old vehicle.