Hi I'm new here and I just bought a 1990 f-150 4x4 with a 5spd manual. I am a mechanic at a shop and wanted a beater truck.

I got it for cheap and (haven't picked it up yet) it has a few problems.

The truck has very sloppy shifting and steering. The owner said the shifting can be fixed easily from in the cab. I looked it up and realized that it might need a new pin.

The steering I am not sure is terrible but I am used to driving much newer cars and it might just be me.

Please give me any info on what I could need on these trucks. I plan on asking my boss on Monday because he has worked on a ton of these older fords.

 

If it's TTB axle like the Broncos check the big do-nut looking bushings. Also check to see if the arms are good and tight.

Either one of those things can make it feel like it has a mind of it's own when you are trying to steer it.

Also take a good look at the tie rod ends.

 

Yeah the steering wasn't that bad, I took her down the road and I could drive it straight it just had play in the wheel. I am trailering her back to my shop I work at and I'll have a look at it on the lift just wanted to know if there was any other common problems.

 

my dads got a 89 2wd and he has a whole bunch of play in his steering. his steering gear box went out and we went to a junkyard and got one and when we put it in you can turn the steering wheel 1/8 of the way each way and its all just play. but it hasnt given out or anything so i guess its normal to have play. every time i gotta drive it i have to get used to it but its never let us down after that. my 93 4wd has no play tho. the steering wheel is crooked but thats about it. so maybe it was just those 87-91 f150s