I'm soon to purchase my first f150, used
and a friend told me that a long box is hell in the winter if it is not a 4X4. Is this true? Would a short box be better if it is not 4X4 for winter driving? Sorry in advance
if this is a stupid question, but hey, i'm new.

 

Longer wheel base=more trouble

 

I would think that if I was in an area where the difference between a longbed and a shortbed actually affected handling, the point would be moot. I would HAVE to have a 4x4.

 

living in wis. i have had both short and long bed trucks. the only difference i have noticed is that a longer bed tends to slide slower then a short bed. that's not to say that a short bed slides easier just at a greater rate of speed.
buy which ever one you want and if your concerned put some weight in the bed. you should be fine with the long bed.

------------------
'97 f150 rc, flair side,4x4,v6,5 spd, k&n air filter

 

your in Canada and your asking if you need 4X4? even the rice burners could use 4X4 in Canada! just teasing!!

Get the 4X4, it will help, and as suggested, with weight in the back, you'll be well off. I learnt to drive at 16 on a chovie 1 ton crewcab in Canada and there was nothing short about that truck, it's an experience which leaves you enriched the rest of your life.

------------------
David
'99 F150 XLT SC, STYLESIDE
4X4 ORP 5.4L, AUTOMATIC,
139wb, Rhino, K&N,
BugGuard, RainGuards
Superchip

 

I think I'd prefer the long-bed - regardless of a 4x4 or 4x2. As pointed out earlier, the long-bed will slide at a slower rate. i.e. The shorter the wheelbase the easier (and faster ) it will swap ends.
When I lived in Colorado, I looked forward to the "first snow of the season" because I got to see all the CJs in the ditches on their sides or roofs.
Just like my wife says... "It's SIZE that counts!"

------------------
1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html

 

Ya know, your right. Size DOES matter. I like to use that slipperyness to my advantage.
I just turn the wheel a little bit and hit the gas and it makes perfect turns every time. I call it a "controlled" spin. I've never driven anything other than a 2 rear wheel drive, so I've had lots of practice "keeping it between the ditches."

 

Ditch the crappy stock tires!

------------------
99 XLT 5.4L reg cab 4x2 120" Wheelbase 4 wheel disc brakes/ABS 5 star larait style wheels Toreador Red/Silver 3.55 gears 255/70/16 OWL Delta toolbox
Eclipse 5340 cd player
Memphis ARCS50 component speakers w/tweeters mounted flush in the door panels (excellent sound)powered by a Sherwood 35x2 RMS amp
Jensen 50x2 RMS for the 2 Audiobahn AWC10 subs
Looking for reasonably priced used running boards
54regcab@duesouth.net in Columbia SC

 

What year pickup are you looking at?

------------------
Thanks!

1993 F-150 302/e4od/355 Limited slip. dual exhuast w/o mufflers,2 1/4" pipes with Echo Tips, headers, accel plugs/wires(8.6mm)/rotor/cap, hypertech powermodule,5% dark tint. Alpine cd player and Pioneer speakers. I need to get it Dyno Tested and qtr mile times. And someday Ill get picks!!!!!!!!!

1989 F-150 XLT 4x4 302/aod true duals with turbo mufflers, 30X9.50" wild country tires, 3:55 gears w/LS(want after market LS for front)

 

I'm looking at either a '97 or '98. The real deciding factor will be the price. Since this is my first f150, it will most likely be a really basic truck. I am, however, wondering what an acceptable mileage for a used truck should be (if there is such a thing).

 

I live in Canada and I'm gonna put chains on my wheels, and when I get busted for that, I'm gonna go buy cheap tires and put studs in em, and when I get busted for that hopefully the snow will be gone...



------------------
Silver 99 F150 XLT Sport Extended Cab with Flare Sides...
Mods: K&N Air Filter, Tinted Side Windows, Reese Class 3, Airbox Mod's, Alpine Deck & Subwoofer Processor, Zapco AG350 Amp, JL 10W0 (times 3)
Coming soon: Flowmaster 40 Series Catback System (Orderred), Spray-On Bed Liner, Fiberglass Tonneau Cover (Waiting to be Installed)

 

I see, I have two of the older F-150s, and both are long boxes, and I love them. I like them because they have more room in back for hauling beds, etc, and they have bigger fuel tanks, and they are a tad more weight be cause of frames and etc. The shortbed is a better looking in most parts but I would rather have a long bed. It all depends on the money.

------------------
Thanks!

1993 F-150 302/e4od/355 Limited slip. dual exhuast w/o mufflers,2 1/4" pipes with Echo Tips, headers, accel plugs/wires(8.6mm)/rotor/cap, hypertech powermodule,5% dark tint. Alpine cd player and Pioneer speakers. I need to get it Dyno Tested and qtr mile times. And someday Ill get picks!!!!!!!!!

1989 F-150 XLT 4x4 302/aod true duals with turbo mufflers, 30X9.50" wild country tires, 3:55 gears w/LS(want after market LS for front) 3" SuperLift would be nice too!

 

hey defacto: just bought my truck not too long ago. it's a '97 and had 19,000 mi. try to find a lease return.

------------------
'97 f150 rc, flair side,4x4,v6,5 spd, k&n air filter