So I'm in the market for a "new" truck. I've owned 3 other Pre97s before and love the 92-96 era most.

They are the last era of trucks that actually feel/look like trucks! The 97-03 trucks are butt ugly and the 04+ trucks are more than I want to spend.

In the past I've owned:
93 XLT, 2wd, 302 auto tranny, extended cab, shortbed

95 XL, 4wd, 300, auto, single cab, longbed

92 xlt, 2wd, 302, auto, single cab, shortbed

I know for sure I want an extended cab XLT, auto 4x4, shortbed.

I'm still up in the air with the engine size. Fuel mileage sux in em all but was mostly dissapointed with the power in the 302. I'm thinking the 351 for a change.

I'm also narrowing down to a 96 due to OBD II due to tuning capabilities.

My plans for my truck would be a daily local driver/weekend beach trips and backwoods fun. Plan on 6" lift, 35" BFG All Terrains, appropriate gearing.

Considering all factors, which years, models, options would you recommend?

 

I've owned a 94 and 95 plus I had a 92 work truck all with the 300. The 95 has been the best of these. I agree that these are the last of the true trucks and are much better than the models and engines that replaced them. My 95 just turned 232k and it does manage about 16-17 mpg on my 40 mile round trip commute into Boston. With my dual tanks I only have to fill up once every 450+ miles.
Nelly Belle will probably be my last since my wife wants a truck and I'll get an econo car for commuting.
I also had an 83 302 that was one of the best looking trucks ever made.I keep good maintenance and fuel logs and these trucks are cheap and in most cases easy to fix. I used to keep the logs for my companies small fleet and the 300 powered trucks were always the cheapest to run. Saw a UPS truck yesterday with the 300 at our loading dock.
YMMV
rikard

 

If you're getting a 351 in an F150, that means an E4OD. Given the continued improvements in that tranny, don't even consider anything 94-down. The 95-96 trannies are pretty much the same.

 

if u want paower as in towing and still worried about mpg get 4.9 300cid with an e40d u can pull a house down n get 16 mpg + depending on how n ware ur driving mine is a 2wd with a 4 speed stick granny gear with no overdrive n i get 16 mpg around town and clost to 20 if i stay at a constant 55 mph

 

The "best" year is the current model year. It has all the latest engineering behind it.

The "best" truck for you is something only you can define.

The "best" pre-'97 truck is '96 because it has the latest pre-'97 engineering. But I'm not sure Ford produced an X-cab SB 4WD in '96; you'll have to shop around.

 

i just picked up a 95 5.0 m5 4x4 xtended cab short bed but it was tboned but all sheet metal damage

 

I had a 93' extended cab short bed with the 302. At 200,000 miles the shaft between the oil pump and distributer rounded out causing the motor to go. It was rebuilt and just bored 30 over. That truck had plenty of towing power prior to being rebuilt. It was my first truck and my dad bought it new and used it to tow his 30+ foot travel trailer with a slide to job sites for many years. He actually towed it to 3 different locations by just dropping it on the bumper for lack of time to get a tow hitch installed. The trans finally got the torque converter lock up problem at 260,000 miles after dealing with my youthful ignorant driving.