Hello. I am new to this forum.

I am looking to buy a Ford truck, and am considering two vehicles. The first, is a 95 F150 with 145k miles. The other is a 97 F150 with 165k miles. Both have auto trannys. Neither have any rust issues, and appear to be well taken care of. Both are $3500, which is all I can afford right now.

I know this is a general question that is hard to answer, but, can I expect to get much more mileage out of either of these trucks? I dont put a lot of miles on right now, but I'd like something dependable that I can drive for a couple of years, maybe putting 6k-10k miles on each year.

Just looking for some opinions to help sway me one way or the other.

 

Short answer: IMO, there's plenty of life left in either of those trucks. A friend of mine has a 97 4.2L (6 cyl) that just recently rolled over 400,000 mi and is only on its second automatic transmission. (The only other major repair has been exhaust manifold replacement.)

Which motors do these trucks have? Do you feel comfortable evaluating their mechanical condition, or do you know a mechanic who will do it for a few bucks? Barring any major mechanical issues, I think either one is ok.

I bought my '00 with 90K, it now has 125K and I expect to run it to at least 250k. Now that I think about it, I don't think that any of the F-150s that belong to my friends or family have less than 100,000 mi.

 

The 97 hands down. Both modulars for that year are very dependable - The essex V6 is also a good motor. At one time we had both, -a 5.4L 4x4 and a 4.2L V6 - 98's, but the 97 and 98 are just about Identical, all Ford did in 98 is update all the gaskets (Engine and tranny).

The only problem we had with the 4.2 is mileage. The 4x4 V8 had better mileage counts than the little V6 2WD. Heres the 6 -



5four V8 -




Sold the V6 @ about 85,000 - No problems to speak of.

Still have the 4x4 V8. Runs Great!

Oh , Miles ?

 

What Jbrew isn't telling you about the 257,000 miles is that he really, really keeps up on his scheduled and prevenitive maitenance. You can drive that truck for a long time as long as you take very good care of it. Buy the 97.

 

Both trucks have plenty of life left in them they both can go another 100k no problem. Now you have to decide which style you like better the 97-03 or the 92-96.

 

both will last a long time. if the 97 has a v8 then i'd go for that one. i have never seen a modular engine leak and they lasted a long time but the 97-98 v6 had intake gasket issues and the engine could hydrolock. if its got a v6 then i'd go for the 95, doesnt matter which engine. the only issues with the 95 that i can really think of is that they were kinda bad about carbon buildup. as said before it may come down to which body style you like more.

 

I have had 2 92-96 F-150's both with the 4.9L inline 6. Those are the best engines ford has ever built. I sold one with 256k on it for $2500 and then other at 195k for $1500. Excellent engines...I don't know too much about the 4.2L though

 

Well, the 95 got sold, so it is out of the picture. The 97 is an automatic, but I'm not sure which motor it has. I am going to see if it is still there today, and if so, I'm going to take it for a test drive. I really like it because it is a shorty stepside, and looks really nice.

I also ran across a 99 F150 with 114k. 5 speed but dont know which motor. $3500.

Also talked to a guy who has a 96 with 6cyl and 5-speed. Only has 70k miles, but does have some body rust issues. He wants $2200 for it.

Decisions. I really like the shortbed stepside, but it has the most miles.

 

Well, now I'm bummed!

I went in to see about the 97 F150 Flareside, and the guy that walked in 10 minutes before me bought it. That really sucked.

Truck was really nice. Shortbed, flareside, offroad package. Now I'm gonna have to start looking for another one!

 

At least you are finding out that trucks with that kind of mileage will sell! tells you that when you find one that appeals to you, you better jump on it.

 

don't JUMP on it per se....the right truck will pop out at you. You can't search for a truck you kind of have to let the truck come to you. If it's meant to be it's meant to be. Sounds weird but true.