I was looking on craigslist and came across this 1995 F-150.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/1312830050.html

I can replace the tranny myself and the rust spot can be fixed with the help of my autobody shop at school. I emailed questions asking about the shape of the interior and if there are any more rust spots on the body, frame, and suspension. It has the 4.9l 300ci 6cyl which I like. Tell me if you think it is a good deal keeping in mind that I might be able to lower the price.

 

if you can get it for $500 then its a good deal... anything mroe is not worth the work and money to put a new tranny in

 

Well I can get a M5OD tranny for $300 and I can put in myself and it would just take a weekend.

 

Offer 500 but I would look at it up close and in person first. A good looking truck online is a different beast in person. The tail gate looked to have something odd with it at the bottom, difficult to tell with the angle of the picture. Also, note that the pictures are at alot of odd angles showing the truck really well but just enough that the questionable spots are hard to make out. If it is a Michigan truck, look at it really really well, like crawlling under it and looking at the inside of the frame rails. I once looked at an 05 F150 just last year that was from Michigan, there was alot of rust on parts that in missouri would not be nearly as flakey rust for the same amount of time (i.e. the upper tap and bolt on the shock was literly rusted smooth and cracking like a weather beaten wood post). I just walked away from it even though the body and interior looked factory new.

 

The post from alxsnmr says it all. Going by the pictures, that truck has a lot of visible rust issues, and who knows how much is invisible. You need to eyeball it up close and personal. $500 would be a gift to the seller. In SoCal where I live that truck would be for parts only.

 

Wow, you guys are really picky. Around here, just from what i see in the pics, that truck would still go for 1000-1500 bucks.

 

Thanks for all the replies. Yeah it does have a lot of rust, but I wouldn't go as far to say that it is a parts car.

 

If you plan on keeping the vehicle for a couple of years, find one that needs mechanical work with a solid body and frame.

I lived in the Detroit area. If the truck is from that area in the Southeastern part of Michigan they do use salt on the roads which could explain the rot on the body. If there is rot on the body, there is rot on the frame.

If the seller is in GA. and purchased the truck in Michigan, why is he showing pictures of the truck with Michigan plates? How long has he owned the truck?
Is it registered in his name?

Could be an E-bay purchase gone bad and now he wants to dump it.

 

I also saw that license plate but it didn't bring it to my attention until now. I'll take the advie given and just keep on looking. And " F150xlt" you are totally right about finding a truck with a good body but needs some mechanical because you can replace a tranny easier than you can replace an entirely rotted out truck.

 

I will take the advice given and keep on looking. The license plate thing also seemed a little weird to me also. "F150xlt" you are totally right about finding a truck with a good body and chassis with mechanical problems. Replacing a tranny is much easier than replacing a badly rusted out truck.

 

Good deals don't last long. If you're serious have cash in hand.

You're going to find a lot of people lie about the condition of the vehicle.
Seeing is believing.

The older trucks 87-96 all rot in the same places.

Over the rear wheel wells, bottom edge of the tail gate, rocker panels, back bottom cab panels on extended cabs. The floor boards also rot because of water leaking into the cab.

Look for rot around the radiatior core support where it bolts to the frame. The rear spring shackle area, top of the gas tanks and frame cross member supports. Also look for any cracks where the steering gear box bolts to the frame.

Patience will pay off in getting a solid truck.

 

I decided not to get that truck previously listed. So I am still looking and hopefully will find a truck that fits my needs. I just found another that I like. Comment if you want, on if its a good deal.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/1337980784.html

 

it doesn't say how many miles the truck has on it and it doesn't say how many miles are on the new engine (not motor). I don't think I would pay that price for it.

 

Try looking at Autotrader.com. You can search as near and as far as you like, and narrow down the possibilities the way you want them.

 

I will try and call the person and ask how many miles are on the truck and the new engine. Hopefully the numbers aren't to high and also I could always talk them down on the price. Framerboy, I checked out autotrader, thanks for suggesting the website.