i'm currently shopping for mid to low 90's ford f-150 sb 4x4 mabe lifted. i was wondering what year from 91-96 had the least problems like craking frames or rust

 

I had a 90 f150 and now have a 95. I had no rust problems or frame problems with either of them. So in my opinion, those are both good years.

 

I have heard that there were some pretty important improvements made in 94 and 95 in the transmission and some other places too. I don't think that Ford changed anything int he trucks that would affect the strength of the frame or how it would prevent rust, not in this era of trucks at least. If you're really worried about rust you might look for a truck that got an undercoating early on in it's lifetime.

Generally car and truck models improve more and more each year that they are in production until the next model is released, making it a safe bet to assume that the last 1 or 2 years of production for a given model are the most improved. A good example of this is the 6.0L powerstroke engine that Ford had used in its super duty pickups, which had many problems early on but had most of the bugs worked out just in time for the release of the new 6.4L engine, which is following in the footsteps of its predecessor (does flamethrowing tailpipes ring a bell?) -- So much so that I've heard Ford is entertaining the idea of developing their own diesel engine next time, instead of handing it off to International as they have done before. Anywho, if it were me, I'd go with one of the later year trucks like a 95-96 (or 97 if you're looking at F250/F350), although my theory is just speculation.

Good luck with your search and hopefully we'll see more of you on FTE real soon!

 

92-96 are the years i would look at.

 

In my opinion, 95 was the best year for this generation. Not being bias because that's what I own, but let me explain.

95 was when the E4OD automatic transmission had multiple electronic updates and many internal mechanical upgrades. Also, this is the last year that you could get an OBD-I PCM, which was pretty simple and didn't have many problems, nor was it as picky as OBD-II which came out in 96. Since the 95's were OBD-I, you only had 1 O2 sensor in the exhaust, at least with the V8. OBD-II vehicles had 3.

So I guess it all comes down to what you want. 96 had OBD-II, but also used the MAF air system on the 351, which was only available on the 302 in the OBD-I years. MAF is good to have if you plan on building your engine, because it can adjust itself for higher airflow, or if you decide to put a lumpy cam in. Speed density systems which were used on OBD-I 351's couldn't adjust to major upgrades like that.

In terms of the frame, the only issue you need to watch out for is the rear leaf spring shackles and the mounts. They had a tendancy to rust out and send the back of your leaf spring up against your bed. This happened to me, but I caught it early, and wrapped a log chain around the back of the leaf to my reese hitch, until I could fix it.

 

Couple corrections Chad, just for fun. The California trucks got different treatment as my 95 5.8L not only has 2 o2 sensors with OBD-I, but is also MAF. I know my truck is a freakshow, I just love throwing a stick in the works

But I agree, 95 is a good year for these trucks.

 

I knew someone was gonna nail me to the wall! hahaha. I forgot about THOSE trucks.... but only because I'm peeved off because I don't own one!

 

Just find a good solid one and the year dont matter at all . Always buy what you like not what someone else thinks you want .I really like my 96 but I think a 72 looks cooler! But I like obd2 and fuel injection so a 96 was my only choice. As far as rust , crawl under it and look for rusted rear spring hangers . If they still have rivits not bolts and are solid buy it . It's been out of salt. Pat

 

Yeah on second thought I think if I had found a nice 96 when I was truck shopping I would have gone with that instead of the 95. Yeah the OBD-II can be a pain in the a$$ but it's also great when you're trying to figure out what is wrong with your truck, because the error codes are much more plentiful and more specific. But this also makes it harder to add mods.... Hmm... Tough decision! The prior poster has good advice, just buy what you like! That's the most important. Good luck!

 

This is my favorite setup but not practical for my use,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/75-76...QQcmdZViewItem

Pat

 

In my opinion any 1987-1996 F150 is good as long as it ain miled out and have too many things wrong with it no frame problems on these trucks but if you live in an area where the spread salt in the winter these years rusted on the wheel wells and bottom of beds well its pretty noticeable where

 

stay away from the early ones with speed density efi the system is nothing but problems mass air is the way to go

 

^Speed density can be as much of a handful as mass air...trust me. After running and tuning both, N/A and superchared, they both have their quirks.

 

I have my second truck now with speed density efi and am not aware of any problems I have had on either truck. Is there something that ain't broke that I need to fix and just do not know about?

 

Yea, I myself am not sure what he's talking about. Probably owned one SD truck with a bad injector, and now they're all junk. I've seen people have more problems with the Mass Air Sensors going bad or getting dirty...