I think i'm an idiot...
 

So I bought this Ford truck for $1,000. At first I thought it was a 96 but I'm not so sure now... there is no owner manual. I bought it from a family friend and they didn't know what year it is either... I assume its a 2wd since it doesn't say 4x4 or 4wd or awd anywhere on or in the truck and has no option to switch to and from.

So how can I tell the year of the truck whilst lacking a bunch of information...?

It's a two door, F150 XL, no power locks, no power winders, no cruise control, pull out knob to turn lights on if that info helps at all.

I've tried Googling and everything and I can't seem to find any information how to determine this... Its my first car and I intend on fixing it up and learning about cars...

wow. just wow. carfax the vin number. even the free carfax will tell you for free. oh and wow

Look at the VIN tag.
A 96 will have a T in the tenth digit
The title should also list the model year

For sure the title will have the year. Also, take a picture and post the door jam sticker. Shoot, take a picture of the whole truck.

If'n you have what looks like this under the front end, it is 4x4.

https://www.supermotors.net/getfile/.../clean-ttb.jpg

https://www.supermotors.net/getfile/...n-ttb-diff.jpg

Adrianspeeder

Relax its the kids first car

yep i would say look for the vin and decode it, i bought mine and the prev owner was vague about the year it was build, one time he'd say 1991 then it was 1989, eventually i checked the vin and it was 1988 (not that it matters much but its easy for parts) if there's no vin you can look at the front of the car to tell if its pre 91 or not.

Post your VIN number.

2WD 1996 F150 XL

According to the T in the VIN. As to jdeacon... My first truck, first vehicle in general. I don't come from a very well off family so never had any car or truck to mess around on. so like I said... I'm looking to learn.

I had a '95 just like it, though mine was Dark Tourmaline Green. Does your truck have dual tanks, or a single gas tank?

I always liked my truck for that reason--get low on one tank, bam, just flip the switch and back to full:)

then you go to switch back and go, "crap i forgot i flipped already"

Bravo, bravo. :roflol:

Never happened ta me, but it would be funny, nonetheless...one of those Homer Simpson "D'Oh!" moments...

had a buddy that kinda had one of those moments, he has a truck with double tanks, and didn't think anything of asking if one tank was bad or not, needless to say he was almost home and flipped and found a tank had a hole.

Pull out knob for headlights was a dead give away. Its a 96 or older f150. 97 and up had a twist on headlight switch.

I was thinking the 100% not the same looking truck would be a faster dead giveaway. :think:

Adrianspeeder

I never saw a pic of the truck in question. It might be because im on the mobile version of the site. Idk.