Hey hows it going everyone? this is my first time posting here and just want to say hello and ask a few questions...

http://omaha.craigslist.org/car/306929742.html

this truck is exactly what i want, reg cab long box stick and six banger. problem is i have no idea what to look for in f-150s. i test drove it last week, no noises, the tranny shifted great, and 4wd engaged and disengaged smoothly (didn't try low) not to mention i really like the look of it

im going on Friday to take on another test drive to the shop and i just want to be prepared.

thanks for all of the help!

 

looks like a pretty nice truck, i would look under the front to see if you can see and damage to the frame rails, it could have been in a front end collision. that bumper was only put on the powerstrokes and eddie bauer trucks, not to say it HAS been in a wreck because people put those bumpers on trucks just because they look better, as i like them better than the plain ones too.
ohh and make sure that both fuel tanks work along with the gauges.

 

It looks pretty doggone nice, at least in these pics!

The rot above the rear wheel wells is just getting a good start on this one. You can expect that to get a lot worse pretty quickly. Pretty common issue on this series. It's so common, that it is easy to find steel panels designed just to cutout/replace the area just above the wheel well. That might be something you'll want to address when/if you fix the dings below both tail lights & repaint.

Might look under it pretty closely where it's sitting, if you can, to see if there's a bit of fresh oil on the ground indicating a shot rear main, or leaking valve cover gasket. Rear main would be rather expensive to replace unless you do it yourself.

Also, not sure if this is an OBD I or OBD II vehicle. I know '95's were OBD I but I think they changed to OBD II in '96. Anyway, if you know or can figure that out, might be worth while to borrow or purchase a code reader to check for any set codes when you go take a look at it. If it's an OBD I, then you would need a special Ford EEC IV code reader (or you can do it with a paper clip) which you can get from most auto parts stores for about $35. If it's OBD II then you can get a universal OBD II code reader that could be used on all OBD II vehicles from Harbor Freight for about $39.

Oh, one last thing. In looking at the pics, it looks like it has cruise. But in looking at the pic of the engine bay, it didn't appear that the recall fuse had been installed on the master cylinder cruise cutoff switch. A bunch of trucks of this series with cruise have caught fire for lack of this TSB recall fuse. If you buy it, & if it has cruise, & if it doesn't have this recall fuse, better take it to a Ford garage & get it installed ASAP. No charge & only takes 5 min.

Good luck.

 

Not quite. '94+ PSDs, '95+ Eddie Bauers, '96+ XLT's, so it's most likely origional.

'96 will also be OBDII electronics.

Truck looks clean and welcome to the forums!

Adrianspeeder

 

How would i check the fuel tanks and guages? just take his word for it?

 

thanks for the help, ill still take a look under the frunt just in case.

 

im going to place an offer for 3k tonight.

the owner says the tanks and guages work and he uses both. i also checked under the front and there is no damage that can i can see.

thanks for the help, ill check this post before i go to place the accual offer to see if anybody has anything else to check b4 i buy



--Kyle

 

My 96 has the same front bumper, I have a few less miles than that one but the mighty 300 is a great engine and plenty of parts are available for the F150.

The knowlege is endless that you will find on the forum... good luck.

 

Bought it for 3200. now i just have to get used to driveing a stick

lol, thanks for all of the help. you'll hear from me again!

 

sounds like a good buy

 

Nice! You'll be jammin' 'dem gears like an ole trucker in no time. Ya'll have access to a digital camera? Lets get some pictures up.

Also, do ya have a model A?

Adrianspeeder

 

Congrats on the truck!!! I really love this body style of truck, I am actually looking for a rust free parts truck to start replacing some things on my 94. Good luck!!

 

After driving it for 2 days i realized this is a massive step up from my jeep. i jumped from 9mpg to 14mpg, i can drive on the interstate without fearing for my life lol, and its way more comfortable!

ill get some pics of the truck off of our camera when i find the link cable and post it in a new thread/showoff thread but for now heres a pic from a crappy camera phone



I do have a model a also. my dad and i went halvsies on it about 3 years ago. here are some pics of the first time it drove in 40 years.

 

FRIGGIN' COOL!!!

Adrianspeeder

 

You'll get used to the stick in no time, you'll soon realize that you're using the brakes a lot less, saving wear on the pads. While I don't really have a preference between manuals and auto's, I do think manuals are a bit more fun, just because it gives you something to do while you drive if nothing else. That truck most likely has the Mazda M5OD trans, which for as long as I've had my truck served me quite well. Smooth shifts, no grinding....ever.