In the market for an older Truck as a DD

[RedMerc04]

Hey guys,
Im really sick of driving my MM in the winter and trying to keep it as salt free as possible. I am working alot while going to school and feel that I should get an alternate vehicle. I feel that this is the best thing I can to for the MM. I do not want a crap box four cylinder POS and I really like the Early-Mid 90's Ford and Chevy full size light trucks. I am leaning more twards getting an F150. Is there anything I should look for in particular? I want a 4x4 with at least a 5.0 L engine and either an auto or stick is fine. Again I dont care about gas mileage because I only have to drive about 7 miles per day and I would much rather drive a Truck than a small economical pos. So if anybody has had any experience with these kind of trucks Id appreciate your insight.
Thanks Much,
Matt

[offroadkarter]

both ford and chevy trucks in early-mid 90's were underpowered compared to what the make now :) although you could get a 96 F150 dirt cheap, and they are built tough. The 4.9L inline six lasts practically forever. Thats what i'd look for, either that or a 94-96 with the 5.4L

Good luck, we really havent even had snow in NJ :( although PA got like 1 1/2ft :D

[RoyLPita]

'94-'96 F150 did not have the 5.4. That engine started in '97.

I would check this site and see what is available: http://www.auctionsinternational.com/index.htm

[Bigdogjim]

both ford and chevy trucks in early-mid 90's were underpowered compared to what the make now :) although you could get a 96 F150 dirt cheap, and they are built tough. The 4.9L inline six lasts practically forever. Thats what i'd look for, either that or a 94-96 with the 5.4L

Good luck, we really havent even had snow in NJ :( although PA got like 1 1/2ft :D

I have a '95 5.0 short bed and put it up against any Ford 5.4 :)
PS. I am tuned to 17 MPG highway run good at 53,000 miles :) [yes it's 12 years old]

I have a "SureTrax" in the bed filled with water that puts 350 Lbs. over the drive wheels.

[Bigdogjim]

Since Ford sell more pick-ups than anyone your selection is much better :)

[Rocknthehawk]

Get a ranger. They are small, but they can go through almost anything.

[ImpalaSlayer]

Get a ranger. They are small, but they can go through almost anything.

thats about the most bias opinion ever :lol:

[ImpalaSlayer]

id def look into the 4.9 inline 6 if you dont plan on pullin much with it or care all that much about power. 4.9= basicly bullin proof.

[RedMerc04]

Yea, thats what ive heard reguarding the 4.9 but the 302 and 351 aren't exactly anything to sneeze at either. I saw a 92 Black Flareside with a 351, 4WD and 100K miles at a local used car lot for 6k. The truck was in really nice shape no rusty fenders... Its unfortunately gone now but im sure another will pop up.

[RedMerc04]

Get a ranger. They are small, but they can go through almost anything.
I have a couple of buddies who drive rangers. They are nice but just too small for my taste. Im a fairly big guy and I feel I just need something bigger.

[jgc61sr2002]

I had a 1990 Chev Sport with a 350 and a 5 speed.
Plenty of power.:D

[Raudermaster]

'94-'96 F150 did not have the 5.4. That engine started in '97.

I would check this site and see what is available: http://www.auctionsinternational.com/index.htm

http://www.kyle-brady.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/pwned.jpg

[Raudermaster]

Yea, thats what ive heard reguarding the 4.9 but the 302 and 351 aren't exactly anything to sneeze at either. I saw a 92 Black Flareside with a 351, 4WD and 100K miles at a local used car lot for 6k. The truck was in really nice shape no rusty fenders... Its unfortunately gone now but im sure another will pop up.

Don't count on it, the Flareside's were about as rare as the Lightning was, don't ask me why since I think they look butt ugly. Just look for a '94-'96 Eddie Bauer with the 4.9/5.0. I've seen those relatively cheap.

[Aren Jay]

Did you consider the SUV Aviator?

[RedMerc04]

Did you consider the SUV Aviator?
I like them but they are way too much money for me, Plus id prefer something with a bed because I want to get a quad at somepoint and Id prefer a truck so I would be able to just throw it in the bed and bring it upstate.

[Aren Jay]

How about a Ford Ranger. Older ones are dirt cheap and pretty handy.

[TX Harley Guy]

I had a 94 GMC 1500 ext cab fleet 5.7 for 10 yrs before I got the HD and it was trouble free other than getting stolen and run into a few times.
I sold it to a buddy and its still reliable and a head turner.

It is 2wd with a drop, 20s, shaved body, roll pan, dont think it would be a good DD up north.

[my_rodder]

Not 4x4 but you could look into a Lighning. I have a 1994 for sale too bad you are out East. you can find them for under $3,000. Ours gets around in the snow okay(with sand bags in the back) Plus you have an SVT. Just a something to think about.

[teamrope]

We just picked up a 91 Bronco XLT with a 351 and the towing package for $1000. It's got 160K and still going strong.

[Raudermaster]

I love Bronco's, but find they tend to be rust buckets. Even the last Gen ones. If you could afford it, I'd say go for a '96-'97 PSD '250/350. That's what I'll be looking into after taxes come back. They still sell for around $8k though if they're in good condition.

[mpearce]

I have a 1995 GMC Yukon GT. 2 door, 4wd. Dark Green Metallic.

5.7L TBI 350

It has 190,000 + miles on it, and I still drive it every day.

I love my truck. I couldn't immagine ever driving any other truck as a daily driver...that is, of course, until I replace it in a few months with a 2006 Dark Green Metallic Z71 Tahoe.

:D

-Mat

[RedMerc04]

Not 4x4 but you could look into a Lighning. I have a 1994 for sale too bad you are out East. you can find them for under $3,000. Ours gets around in the snow okay(with sand bags in the back) Plus you have an SVT. Just a something to think about.
Dont get me wrong I love those older Lightnings but I want a something that is an absolute second priority to the MM. I feel that an Older L would just become a money pit for me even if it was mechanically perfect because I know I would get a modding bug. I also think that I would feel just as bad Subjecting a truck as rare as that to the Salty winter roads.

I love Bronco's, but find they tend to be rust buckets. Even the last Gen ones. If you could afford it, I'd say go for a '96-'97 PSD '250/350. That's what I'll be looking into after taxes come back. They still sell for around $8k though if they're in good condition.
I also like Broncos alot but i would prefer something with a bed in it. An F250 or 350 would be overkill for me, I mean I couldnt think of anything that I would use it for that an F150 couldnt do. It would be cool to have a Powerstroke but again kind of impractical for me esp. being that Diesel goes for about 3.70 a gallon around here and most stations dont even have it.
I think what Im basically looking for is:
1992-96 F-150. Regular or Ext Cab. Short bed. 4X4 with either a 302 or 351
Or a silverado that is in the same ballpark. I'm just hoping I can pick a decent one up for around 5 grand.

[Aren Jay]

just don't get the suicide door one.

[Raudermaster]

Figure'd I'd help out, didn't know your zip, so I looked one up. This truck seems pretty badass and low miles too.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=236609440&dealer_id=61781225&car_year=1992&model=F150PICKUP&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1992&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=FORD&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Ais psearchform&min_price=&drive=4+wheel+drive&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=10954&advanced=y&end_year=1996&doors=&transmission=&max_price=5000&cardist=43

[RedMerc04]

Figure'd I'd help out, didn't know your zip, so I looked one up. This truck seems pretty badass and low miles too.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=236609440&dealer_id=61781225&car_year=1992&model=F150PICKUP&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1992&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=FORD&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Ais psearchform&min_price=&drive=4+wheel+drive&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=10954&advanced=y&end_year=1996&doors=&transmission=&max_price=5000&cardist=43
Yea, that seems really nice for 4500 bucks, it would definately be a good plow truck. Its about an hour and a half away from me. You seem to have gotten my zip right.
I like this one too, its not as good of a deal but more along the lines of what I am looking for. If I could find a lifted F150 with 90K for 4500 Id be in business.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=236178596&dealer_id=585119&car_year=1996&num_records=25&model=F150PICKUP&kbbModelYear=1992&systime=&make2=&start_year=1992&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&zip=10954&marketZipError=false&opn=buydetails&osn=buyclass&search_lang=en&make=FORD&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Ais psearchform&min_price=&drive=4+wheel+drive&isDWSI=false&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=10954&advanced=y&end_year=1996&transmission=&doors=&max_price=5000&cardist=41