Yep, I've started on the road to being an old Ford truck owner. Put a deposit on a '95 F150 XL Supercab 4x4 with the 5.8L and a canopy today, so that it doesn't get sold before I get a chance to go back with a buddy of mine that knows a lot more about trucks than I do. Will be taking it for a good test drive to check everything out on Friday when my buddy has time.

Just wondering if you folks have a list (or could make one) of things I should check myself prior to making the final commitment on this truck. I've already noticed a few things but for the most part, from what I can see, it is standard stuff for a 12 year old vehicle. Rust around the wheel wells was a bit heavy, at least I thought it was. Probably normal for them. Canopy will need a bit of work, providing I don't just replace it altogether -needs a new seal around the hatch, and gate latches (one handle is broken clear of the mount so doesn't lock at all). Plus looks like the top corner of the canopy was hit or pushed in a bit - about a 2" crack right in the corner that I don't know if it is repairable.

With regards to the rest, well, you folks know these trucks better than I do, and I've always been one to go to the experts for advice. So let me know what you think I should check and will go include that in my list for Friday (March 23).

Thanks in advance for suggestions/comments.

It takes me about an hour 30 to completely go through a truck that I'm thinkin' bout buyin.

You know the mileage?

Adrianspeeder

The mileage is 276,863 km (172,000 miles). It is the one I mentioned in my other post (regarding the dual tanks and manual locking hubs). Has the push-button 4x4 selection, with WARN manual hubs. Haven't done a Carfax report, but seriously considering it - just as a peace of mind type of thing, mainly.

all (most) had dual tanks, and id do the carfax. wats 20$, to know wat your getting when spending 2,000$

how much you buying it for. hope not much from the sounds of it.

As for cost, the guy wants $3,000 Cdn for it. If the rust that I am seeing is just the usual stuff on the body, then might be ok. Will take a much closer look up under it on Friday to see if I can see anything on the chassis itself.

check around all of the body mounts and where the springs and cross members attach to the frame

Did the Carfax report - got some info, but not everything. Records stopped in 2005 with the truck still in another province. So ran another report called CarProof which not only gave me the missing information (mainly to confirm a legitimate out-of-province transfer and to confirm it wasn't stolen), but I also got the lien search AND all the insurance claims made. Fairly decent to have those - nothing serious - mostly glass and other stuff. The area the truck originally came from is infamous for taking out windshields, and the history showed it - about 4 or 5windshields in 10 years.

So yeah, spent about $100 in total, but got some peace of mind out of it.

Just wanted to say thanks again for the help. Test drove the truck last week with a buddy of mine. Aside from the rust and the old canopy, about the only other major issues that we found were the driver's door inside handle binds occassionally when trying to open it, and that the radio is dead. In any case, got the price down to $2800 and no taxes.

The mechanical all tested ok, and found out that the truck had limited slip as well. Found that out when we spun over on some gravel and dug a pair of nice and even trenches. 4x4 high and low both worked flawlessly - no issues with the buttons, and the manual hubs were easily rotated between lock and free positions.

Yep, definitely a good solid truck by the looks of it. Get some body work done, a new canopy, and some general maintenance and I can see me keeping it for quite some time.

Purdy cool!

Gonna need some pics stat!

Adrianspeeder