Ok, so I am looking at buying a truck. The trucks owner tells me in conversation that a year ago it was having some odd transmission problems, it currently runs and drives fine. A year ago it was having a reluctancy to shift, and then would "clunk" into the next gear. He takes it to a shop and they show him some metal shavings around the magnet in the pan. He then has the transmission fluid and filter replaced. It has not had any problems since, but does not get driven very much. It has a few other little issues, but nothing major. Hes asking 1900$ OBO which is about 400 below book. Should I be worried about the transmission? I still want it I think, if the tranny does go later, I can get a reman unit for like 1000 bucks or less.
It is a 94 f150 XLT 4X4 with off road package, regular cab long bed, towing package, dual tanks, 5.8 liter engine, and its an automatic transmission. Has 152k miles on it. Looks pretty good. I was thinking of offering 1500. I have a 92 just like this one and it seems to have a lot of the same problems mine did or does. Heres the pics of it. 1994 Ford F150 XLT 4x4 V8 pictures by samleaver - Photobucket

It has the following issues:
Small crack in driver-side windshield - work truck, who cares?
Parking brake cable is broken - not hard to do
Missing faceplate to cd player - so no radio
Horn and cruise control does not work - I am pretty sure its the clock spring
Aforementioned transmission problem
Typical Ford 199x paint peeling issues in few places - my truck has it, dont care
Broken latch on sliding rear window - mine too


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Anyone? Bump. I offered 1000$, and he accepted. But I am still debating on buying or not.

 

Drive it around a bit and drive it how you intend on using it. I'd keep an eye out for a new transmission or at least price some used or rebuild options. looks like you are in CA, so rust prolly isn't an issue.
or mebbe you would like to cannibalize parts in the future.
i dunno your budget or financial situation or space/parking issues, only you can put a value on a $1000.

my .02

 

I have to drive an hour and a half to go drive it. Just trying to see what people think about the clunking and shift reluctancy, and then it going away with a tranny flush/filter. BUT there were some metal shavings...Dont know? 1000 bucks?

 

hmmm, now you've got a logistical problem. i would drive it around for a bit before i bought it if you wanna use it as a work truck or a weekend truck. how much do you need another truck with another registration, taxes, and insurance to carry?
unless you think it's got enough spares and would use it to keep your 250 rolling around for a bit longer. also depends on the condition of your f250.

it's a conundrum sometimes. good luck man

 

Registration, taxes, and insurance would be negligible. My F250 costs me 1000 a year all together (250k dollar policy), and an f150 will be even less. I will drive it around a bit of course. I plan on using it as a backup to my truck, using it to navigate areas my truck would when pulling a trailer on a soggy farm property, bidding some jobs for my business around town, and pulling shrubs (small stumps) out with it.