Opinions please from mechanics and owners that have experience with both '93 and '99 vintage F150s - preferably on the whole truck, not just the engine.

I'm looking to buy a used F150 for my son. I have two good options at the moment.

1. 1993 F150 with 52k miles, auto, straight 6 (300). Mileage is accurate.

2. 1999 F150 with 120k miles, auto, V6.

Both vehicles have been well maintained, car fax reports came back positive, and are priced in the same ballpark.

From a maintenance standpoint, which would be the better buy.

Thanks in advance for your response.

 

I would go for the '93.....as long as it has been maintained and driven regularly, that 300 inline 6 will run forever. It's just a baby at 52K miles, plenty of life left in that sucker. My neighbor has a white one in that year, 179K miles, and all he has ever had to do for maintenance is put oil and gas in it.

And I don't want to start anything here, but I used to have an '00 F150 V6 auto, and I thought it was pretty gutless compared to his 4.9L. That could have been due to the automatic trans, but still.

Good luck

 

I agree - the 93 sounds like a powderpuff, and the 4.9L is among the best engines ever built. V6s suffer by comparison. The chassis under the '93 was used continuously for 16 model years, making it one of the best-supported vehicles (in aftermarket parts) on the planet. The list of TSBs & FSAs (recalls) that apply to the '93 is relatively short, which says they had most of the bugs worked out by then. That was the last year before airbags, so you don't have to worry about that, but it was the first year for the electronic cruise servo, which is a BIG plus. It's also outside the recall for the flaming cruise switch, so you're a little safer there, too.

The only concern I'd have in buying the '93 is: does it have the E4OD transmission (code E on the door sticker), and if so, has it been rebuilt yet? If not, AND the fluid has been neglected, you might find yourself paying $1-2K to get it rebuilt. If it HAS been rebuilt, then I wouldn't worry at all.

 

NOt too familiar w/ the 4.2, but I put 189k on a 93 300six and never did more than change oil and filters. I never even replaced a starter or alternator on that truck!!

I DID blow up two ZF 5 spds at about $750 each rebuild. (I got this truck at 17, so that could have had something to do w/ the trannys)

 

Howdy and welcome. 300 inline six in that '93 hands down. Comeon down to "the basement" (pre 97 section) and there are a few current threads all about the 300.

The truck itself is purdy easy to work on without any complicated tools and 52k is a steal. Insurance costs for a younger driver is gonna have an advatage with the '93 as well.

Adrianspeeder

 

you want the 99........i want the 93
how much was that 93 with 52K and where was it?? ... i think i have time for a quick road trip

 

'93. The truck will cost less and insurance will be cheaper too. Also, if your son is like me (im only 19) and goes off road sometimes, the repairs will be cheaper.

Also i hate the looks of 97-03.

 

I say go with the 93 the 300 was one great engine plus it has less miles than that 99 which is a big plus.

 

Shoot, if it had twice the miles I'd still take the 300.

Adrianspeeder

 

had an 89 before my new 98. It had the 5.0 in it, but for truck wise I miss it so much. It was a sturdier built truck. Could really take a punch, and has an ulimited amount of after market parts, or just cheap replacement parts. One of the easiest generations of trucks to find parts for! Although all my trucks were V8's, I have had friends with both V6 engines, and would agree that the 93 has way more power for truck. 145bhp;265ftlbs for 4.9L, and 205bhp;255ftlbs for 4.2

 

Looks like the original poster has abandoned this thread, & this BBS. He hasn't even read anything we've written.

 

Uh, yeah I have.

Wow, it couldn't be more unanimous. I know the 300 was a favorite of many. I just didn't know how much of a favorite.

Thanks to all for the input.

 

So what ya get?

Adrianspeeder

 

having owned both and still own the 99 i would take the 93, as long as the body doesn't have major rust.

the 93 is very easy to work on and replacement parts are cheap and easy to get.

the 99 is reliable but not near the reliability of the 93. the 99 in a "nicer" looking truck and the interior is better. the 99 does have better safety equipment like duel air bags and 4 wheel ABS.

you wont be disappointed with the 93.

 

someone might want to comment on the gas mileage of that 93 unless that isnt a concern at all...my roommate had an old style f-150 with that same engine..4.9L inline 6, i think maybe a 95..up until last year or so... and while that engine has plenty of power and that truck never let us down, it definitely guzzled some gas...that straight six was pretty notorious for being not so fuel effiicent i think, had something to do with its work truck design in mind...gas mileage may not even be an issue for you, but i would think that the newer v-6 would get far better gas mileage than the older straight 6...but if your just looks for pretty much an unkillable engine, then go for the 4.9L