Hi! I am DETERMINED to own a 4X4 F150! I wish I could buy a newer one - I can't!
I have found a '96 F150 & need YOUR help! How were the '96's as far as reliability? Any special problems with that year?
The truck seems to have alot for $13,991! It's average mileage (44,706), has power steering/brakes, CC, A/C, Tach, tilt wheel, Int. wipers, dual tanks, sliding rear window, running baords, chrome rims & bumpers (wish it had alloy wheels!), dual sport mirrors, bedliner, step bumper, drivers side air bag, cassette & cloth upholstery. It has the 5.0 liter engine w/EFI.
I am NOT looking for lots of fancy items. I'm more concerned with a safe, reliable truck to get thru the snow we get in Buffalo, NY! I need to be able to get to my parents house 90 miles away at the drop of a hat since my Dad is pretty sick - he has lung cancer. I can't worry that I'll get stuck in snow!!!!!!
I truly appreciate ANY help or suggestions you can offer. I am going to look at the truck later today - hopefully some of you will have written in by tonight so I can decide if this truck is worth it. I'd prefer a newer one but right now I just can't afford it. I may be losing my job soon if my employer goes belly up & payments are out of the question fow this "kid"! LOL!
Thanks in advance! Bye for now!

------------------
If you can't beat 'em, you're NOT driving a FORD!

 

My last truck was a 95 equipped about the same. These year Fords are just fine-wrecked the 95 with 55k on it. They don't run as well as the 97's up, but are good trucks. That price doesn't seem too bad.

------------------
97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-K&N-3"
pvc air box mod-Granetelli MAF

 

The 96 was "the last of the best." Proven, bulletproof design, everything worked out over many years, you can't do better.

One thing though, I know your winters in Buffalo are even worse than ours on the south shore of the Great Swamp Erie. A 4WD is good, but that's still only 2 drive wheels (1 front, 1 rear) in the deep stuff. You probably want a Traction-Lok limited slip differential (same thing as GM's posi-traction) in the rear of your truck. That'll give you both rears and 1 front driving no matter how deep it gets.

Look at the VIN sticker on the driver's side door jamb. It'll have a bunch of number and letter codes describing the vehicle equipment. The code for axle begins with either the number "1" or the letter "H." 1 means open differential, H means Trac-Lok.

Hope this helps. Good luck

 

Well Cowlady it sounds like a darn good price. I bought my 96 F150 last Nov with 78k on it. Now it has 92k on it. It has the 302, Auto trans,xl model(no pwr windows or such). LOVE THE TRUCK TO DEATH. 'Live here in Connecticut, hadn't seen much snow the past years though. I have the H9(3.55 limited slip) in the rear of the truck, and it makes all the world a difference. A 19 would be a 3.55 open diff, and a 18 would be a 3.08 ratio(good for mileage, sucks for power though) anyhow, goodluck, best advice of all, is to actually drive the truck first.
Rich

 

I have the '96 the last of the real truck trucks.....the '97 is too fancy for me..

Anyhow, I've had the '96 since 11/95 and i have no complaints whatsoever. And this is from a former chevy man.
The only problem I've had in 5 yrs is the temp gauge went, but it was an easy fix.

------------------
96 F150 XL,special
Air/PS/PB/AM-FM-Cass/
Light Package/300 I6/
5 SP Man/...
Nothing fancy just my little baby

 

Thanks everyone! All your advice has helped ALOT! I wasn't even sure if I should consider the truck - now I want it sight unseen! LOL! Don't worry - I WILL test drive it first!
As for the VIN - here it is - 1FTEF14N1TLC02459. Which character do I need to look at to see what kind of rear is in the truck? I read that we're in for a rough winter - what else is new here? I'm really going to need a truck to get me thru it w/o waiting for AAA!
One more question - what's the super chip? I am a "reformed, matured" (yeah, sure!) street racer & if it means MORE POWER then I want it! I LOVE fast Fords which is redundant when talking about a Ford!
Thanks again for all your help. Ford owners are just as great as the trucks they drive! Oh - how do I get 1 of the F 150 Online stickers? I want to be ready for when I get my truck! LOL!

 

The axle code isn't in the VIN # it's at the bottom of the VIN sticker in a box marked "AXLE" there may be two listings for F&R on a 4x4 sticker

 

Just looking in the Denver paper I see a few low mileage trucks. For example:
97 F150XL supercab,V8,67k mi.,$14,500
96 F150 4X4,mint,51k mi.,XLT,auto, a/c,alloys, loaded, V8, $12,695 (John Elway Ford)
96 F150 Eddie Bauer, 53k mi.,exc cond,$15,500 OBO
96 F150 302 powerstroke, all pwr.,4X4, 29k.mi., $15,500
There are many, many more but that gives you an idea of what the lower mileage ones are going for. The 44k mileage you're looking at would be considered low mileage, at least here out west where very long distance driving is typical. Avg. annual mileage is 15-20k per year, so for a 96 that may have been purchased in late 1995, 75k miles would not be unusual and I see many for sale with around that many miles. Sounds like your pricing is right in the ballpark, probably not a steal but not a ripoff either if in very good cond. Love my 95, like the body style MUCH better than the newer ones, which just look like a puffed up Toyota to me. I understand they run very well, but looks matter to me a lot and the pre-97's still looked like what I think trucks are supposed to look like. I think that's why the newer style Dodge P/U's that look like the mini-Peterbilts have kicked butt for so many years, even though mechanically they probably were not as good as the Fords. Have had my temp gauge go out and the front crossmember creaks and groans, but otherwise it has run very well. Poor gas mileage with my 351 with the 3.55 limited slip, but not as bad as my 69 Mach I with the 428 CobraJet 4-speed, which gives me about 6 mpg, maybe 8-10 on the open highway. Hell, even my Boss 302 powered 70 Mach I with the 4.11 rear end gets better mileage than my truck. Oh well, can't have everything. I also had to have the leather covered steering wheel replaced after about 6k mi., as it started peeling. And I'd never get the black paint again, at least not Fords with the clear coat. It's so soft I think a moth hitting it would scratch it. But overall I've had good luck with it, and it's been four wheeling in some of the gawd awfullest elk huntin' country you've ever seen (and prettiest) in snow over the top of the front bumper. With the limited slip and all four tires chained up I've often been able to break new tracks in the snow where other "lesser" trucks are afraid to go, all in very rough and steep Rocky Mountain backcountry. No lift kit either, but does have a little larger then average tires and H.D. susp. As far as the Superchip goes, I just put mine in about 3 months ago. It has improved the shifting powerband, but did not per se' increase my horsepower that noticeably. The shifting change does make it seem more powerful, especially when I combined the chip with a K&N FIPK (Filter Improvement Performance Kit, I think) air filter, and a better after cat exhaust system. You can look up the Superchip info on this site, or go to www.superchips.com Talk to Mike Troyer; he'll fix you up with one and give you the straight info. about what they can and cannot do. Mine ran somewhere around $225. He recommemded the K&N and after-cat (catalytic) exhaust system, and he was right on. My truck performs much better now.
Good luck... I know what it's like to see a vehicle, get yourself sold on it, and then not be able to sleep cause you're thinking about it all night. Just try getting into classic muscle Mustangs sometime, it's addicting. Did manage to get over the "Harleyitis", however. Replaced it with the Boss Mustang-itis.
Machboss


------------------
1995 F-150 Eddie Bauer
Black/Gold
5.8 liter,
high altitude package
elect. 4-spd auto.trans.
Superchip
K&N FIPK (does NOT have mass air flow sensor)
Dynomax Superturbo cat-back exhaust (wish I'd gotten the Flowmasters instead like my 69 Mach I 428CJ has)
265/75RX15XL Goodyear All-Terrain tiresw/forged alum. wheels
3.55 limited slip axle short bed (7')
trailer tow package, off road package, full skid plates, handling package, heavy duty rear suspension
full instrumentation
special ordered manual lock out hubs,
chrome rear step bumper,
34.7 gall. dual fuel tanks,
duraliner
custom cut seat covers,
Black Guidon topper
33,000 miles

 

Machboss - I AM into the classic 'Stangs!! And, the '69 Mach was always my fantasy car! NO LIE - you can even ask my parents! I have talked about them for so long they probably are sick of hearing it! I grew up in the Muscle Car era - talk about being lucky! I've been a Ford person since I knew there were different car companies!!

 

Sorry - I hit "submit" too soon! I would love to see pictures of your cars/truck & if you EVER are in this area, let me know so I can see whatever you're driving in person! Your family is LUCKY to be able to ride around in such style!
As for staying up thinking about the truck - you're right! Now I'm suffering because I have to go to work & only had a few (3?) hours of sleep. It's my first day back in about 1 month. I was in the hospital for my back & then just got back form a long planned vacation. I'm ALMOST anxious to be going in! I'll be stopping on my way home from work to check the truck & let you know tonight how it went. Cross your fingers & say a prayer!
Bye for now & have a good day!

 

BTW - I can email the webpage with the truck for anyone who wants to see the photo/specs. Are we allowed to give our email address out here? I don't know how to change my profile to include it! Any suggestions? Or. go to www.basilauto.com, choose used cars & enter "Ford" & "F 150" - leave the rest as "Any". Look at #4 - it should be the '96 I'm going to look at. It's maroon, in case the order changes before you get there.
Thanks again!

 

My 1996 F-150 can be best described as bullet-proof. A few minor trim problems, 2 small electrical problems, but the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. Go for it!! You wont regret it for a second

------------------

 

Well, I went to look at the truck but it was sold! This was after the Ford dealer called over to his Chevy dealership, where the truck was & was told the truck was still available! To say I'm disappointed is an understatement! I have a friend who is a Ford expert - he went out tonight to look at a few trucks for me. He is suggesting I stick with a '97 or newer model but I like both styles! Wish I could get a few trucks! LOL! My DREAM is to have a white truck with BIG, BLACK COW SPOTS all over it!
BTW - I told the Chevy salesman about this site - I suggested he could educate himself & sell his Ford trucks more easily! What? I was nice! I smiled! But when I learned the truck was gone & the ONLY 4X4's he had were GM's, I IMMEDIATELY said I wanted a quality truck - I WANT A FORD! He took it well - said he's used to it! Hmm! Think he'll get the hint? Bye for now!

 

Well, if you're pretty **** about your vehicles, like I am, i can try to help by looking for some in the denver area. The one big advantage out here is the lack of salt, both in the air and on the roads. In addition, our humidity levels are often in the teens or single digits. End result: very low or no rusting occurrs. Since this is the west and trucks rule out here, finding numerous low mileage trucks with all the options is not a problem. Even the high mileage cars tend to be in very good condition because they have not been subjected to the constant stop and go driving like that which occurrs out east, which is very hard on the engine and driveline and can prematurely age a truck well ahead of its' time.I can look in the Denver paper, which goes by the Rocky Mountain News, or you can look up their website yourself and check their vehicle section. They are very easy to follow, as they are laid out by manufacturer, then by 2X2's or 4X4's, and usually are pretty honest about mileage and overall condition. And because there are so many out here there are many low mileage well maintained trucks to choose from. From what I see in the paper right now it's a buyers market.
That's what I did when I bought my 69 Mach I 428 Cobrajet sight unseen, 1600 miles one way, from Denver to Washington State, in January no less!!! Weather turned out to be great, scenery was awesome, and the car turned out to be even better than I had expected. He was asking $11,800 when we started ****ering. I spent two entire days over, under, on top, inside, and in front of the Mach checking part numbers to make sure I knew what I was getting. I did a little homework prior to leaving, so I knew a little something about how the car should look and be configured, and knew where the numbers should be and what they should mean. Was able to do that by buying a few books beforehand so I got a crash course on 69 Mach I CobraJet 4-speed shaker hood Stangs. It paid off in a big way, because I ended up leaving with my new car on an open trailer and my checkbook was only $8700 lighter. The car has been upgraded a little, and is now appraised at $16,000-$20,000, a far cry from the $11,800 he had been asking. Took me about $1800 in parts: stripe kit, new seat covers and buns, used original Hurst Comp Plus shifter with the shift pattern on top, and a few other things and she was ready to rumble. Many cases of whiplashes have been caused by envious passerbys turning their necks too fast to drool over the car. Wanted the 69 model as that was the first year I got my drivers license and have many fine memories of cruising with my friends when I lived in Indianapolis, when muscle cars ruled supreme. So again, whether it's clean muscle cars or clean 4X4 trucks, they're out there. You just have to hunt them down. If you want to send out your E-mail address I will scan the ads and try to pick out what appear to be the best of the ones for sale. You'll have to tell me exactly what you are looking for, and how much you are wanting to spend. And no, I have no interest in this whatsoever and stand absolutely nothing to gain by doing this. I just get tired of seeing hard working people get ripped off by people who in essence are selling junk. You can look at my profile and see what agenda mine is, and it sure isn't selling cars. Car salesmen, attorneys, and members of the press are all in the same league, as far as I'm concerned, and I don't trust them any further than I can throw them. And given the size I've seen of many of our attorneys running around our parts these days I doubt I'd be able to throw them very far, but you would definately hear a distinct "THUD" when they hit the ground. What was it I heard recently?.....If it wasn't for attorneys, we wouldn't need attorneys! Think about it!!!!
If you're interested in the help looking for a decent low mileage truck at a low price, let me know at cobrajet428@earthlink.net I think my website is also in my profile.I'll also need your e-mail address so i can scan and send out groups of ads rather than have to type out each one individually. I could also scan out a few photos of my Mach I's and truck if you were interested. Would need to do that fairly soon as I'm getting ready to go to Lake Powell for a houseboating/water skiing trip for a week. Well, OK, maybe a little fishing too. Good luck,
Machboss

------------------
1995 F-150 Eddie Bauer
Black/Gold
5.8 liter,
high altitude package
elect. 4-spd auto.trans.
Superchip
K&N FIPK (does NOT have mass air flow sensor)
Dynomax Superturbo cat-back exhaust (wish I'd gotten the Flowmasters instead like my 69 Mach I 428CJ has)
265/75RX15XL Goodyear All-Terrain tiresw/forged alum. wheels
3.55 limited slip axle short bed (7')
trailer tow package, off road package, full skid plates, handling package, heavy duty rear suspension
full instrumentation
special ordered manual lock out hubs,
chrome rear step bumper,
34.7 gall. dual fuel tanks,
duraliner
custom cut seat covers,
Black Guidon topper
33,000 miles

[This message has been edited by machboss (edited 09-14-2000).]

[This message has been edited by machboss (edited 09-14-2000).]

 

Thanks for the ideas! Actually, it would be wprthwhile looking over some of the ads so I can get an idea os what different trucks are/aren't worth. I doubt I'd be able to get out there though - I used up all my vacation/sick time between being hpspitalized for my back & a long planned vacation to Hawaii that turned out to be much less the dream trip it should have been! Long story - I'll save it for another time.
I'll write to you so we don't get in trouble for misuse of this baord! I don't want us to get tossed out - I love to read all the posts on all different topics here!
Have a good trip - talk to you soon! Thanks again!