Looking at some F150s. mid 90s and late 80s info

[slickmainer]

I'm looking at a couple of different trucks and wanted some seasoned advice

a 1995 F150 ext cab 4x4. 6cly 5sp $2000 (new clutch, no ripped seats, cap on bed since new, 124,000 miles




a 1988 F150 reg cab, 6cly auto, 2wd, 32,000 orig miles $2000


I know parts for these are plenty and rust form on the wheel wells, but anything else I should watch for with this body style. I don't know if the 4x4 has manual hubs or auto. any advice or suggestions?

Also looking at a 64 shorty but that's a separate topic

Gregg

[36truck]

If you need 4x4 then the red one is nice. It looks like it should have manual hubs seeing as it is manual shift 4x4. The 300 I6 is a very good engine. you should be able to put 200,000 on it easy. If your looking for a 2 wheel drive the silver truck would be a good choice.

[slickmainer]

I dont see a need for 4x4 right now. I have a 4x4 jeep. resale (should i do that) would probably be higher, but I don't plan on driving this in the winter. For the same price I didn't know if the 4x4 would be worth it in the long run, or just be more headaches if it never got used.

[gearhead21]

I'm looking for a nice 95 or 96 F150 also, but here in North Texas the prices have really gone up since the cash for clunkers deal last year.

[ezernut9mm]

on that body style, (92-96), check the dash on the passenger side and see if you can move it up and down or in and out. there is a bracket that has a tendency to brake and cause a very annoying squeak.
check the radius arm bushings and brackets as they are known to crack at the frame.
there is an issue with the fuel tank selector switch causing a backflow problem resulting in fuel overflowing in the front tank.
the core supports and the cab mounts rust just like our trucks so check those too.
it seems like there was a cruise control or brake recall under the hood just not too long ago. something was causing spontaneous fires, but i can't remember what it was right now. the dealers were fixing this free of charge a while back.
those are the things i can think of off the top of my head that are somewhat common on those models.

[Phil]

As stated above plus the rear shackle mounts rust away and fail
and on the A4ODs the converter clutch goes bad. it will usually vibrate at about 35 mph and way worse going into OD. It feels like the truck is going over railroad crossings. They can drive 100K like this-or not.

Mine does it.

rear cab corners rot as do fenders behind the wheel.

brake line rust as well

Ive had two. A 92 and a 95

They are huge, feel and drive solid, 6s and 5.0s are slow, eat gas like crazy and chew up front rotors. I loved both of mine and even though #2 is a mess when I park it for a week or two and get back in it it feels very comfortable.

They are good looking trucks, the closest to a dentside with modern stuff .

Mine

[Greg D]

I am a big fan of these truck also - had 2 different 94s. The auto locking hubs will actually hold up VERY well if they are not abused and properly cared for. Which amounts to no more than a good cleaning and reassembly with the proper grease at reasonable intervals.