So I have the itch to get a pickup. I've never had one and, even though I probably don't really need one, it would come in handy for odd jobs and whatnot. But since it's basically just a beat-around vehicle for me, I don't want to spend much money.
Recently I came across this: http://www.nextechclassifieds.com/listings/view/261647/.
(http://"http://www.nextechclassifieds.com/listings/view/261647/")
The guy told me he's owned it since 1996 and the only major work he's done was a new clutch about 6 years ago. Obviously it's not all much of a looker with the rust but the mileage isn't too bad and I think the 5-speed would be a lot of fun.
I'm scheduled to look at it Friday. They guy told me he's had several other calls but he's giving me first crack because I was the first to contact him (obviously he could be making that up but I am taking his word for it). Since he's got people waiting in the wings I doubt he'll break much on the price.
So what do you think? If it seems to run decent is this thing worth $1700?
I don't see mileage... the 300 i-6 is a good motor, and tows well overloaded. My freinds family growing up had a 91, same setup, no 4 wheel drive, little over 200k, never been in a garage for anything, except change the oil. About 2 years ago we changed out the stock plug wires. I personally love the older body style, and love the big sixes.
Not sure what mileage they get. My dads old carbed 76 van used to get around 18mpg, 4speed od.
Mileage is 111,500. I like the 1996-and-older body style, too. I have never really liked the style that started in '97. I've heard good things about straight six motors, just never had experience with one personally.
the I6 is a great motor.. they get about the same mileage as a smallblock, if anything, 1-2mpg less.. as for being 'fun,' not so much.. the straight 6's have great torque but they're dogs on the top end, so they're great tow pigs.. i've personally owned 2 straight 6 trucks, 1 auto 4x4 (85 bronco) and 1 5speed 2wd (87 F150 longbed std cab).. when they die, they die HARD, but they're great motors.. my buddy has 1 in his F150 we're getting ready to pull, it's lived a good 264k mile life, but it wasn't well taken care of by it's previous owners.. but for 1700, you may be able to find a better deal, unless you need the extra room of the ext cab.. they're sometimes a little harder to find, but they're out there
Yeah, I say fun just because it's been a couple years since I got to drive anything with a manual transmission. So believe it or not this thing actually might still be fun for me. And my standards are low. I learned to drive stick when my old man was still driving his '67 f100 with a "three on the tree" manual.
The extended cab is both a pro and a con. I suppose it'd come in handy sometimes, but I do like the look of a regular cab better.
I wonder if the demand and availability of these things varies by region. I'm in a part of the country where there are a lot of old pickups around, but there is a also a big demand for them, and it can be hard to find one that's straight. A lot of times you will find one with lower miles, but it will be beat to s**t from working in the farm. I'm also amazed at the prices people seem to get for 'ol beater pickups. I actually thought $1700 seemed like a decent price for this one, but I'm no expert. Of the other calls the seller mentioned (assuming they are real) one was from a place 1.5 hours away and another was almost 2 hours. It surprises me that someone would be willling to drive 2 hours to see a rusty pickup like this one.
Make sure the rust isn't too bad when you see it, generally looks worse in pictures then real life. Think about the extended cab or whatever this way, you can at least recline the seat.
The quarters and cab corners are the worst areas on those...and the hardest, and most expensive to fix.
Other than that, the 6 is a smooth, torquey engine..not much top end, as mentioned. It'll do a day's work for a truck..it's not a Cup engine lol.
Truck like that goes for around 2k here, give or take. That one looks like it has some options...probably XLT trim, etc. I'd prefer the 5.0 myself...but I could survive with the 4.9
Except it looks like it has a split bench seat in the front. I assume those don't recline? But I guess I should use the correct Ford lingo and call it a SUPERcab!
Yeah, it is a XLT (at least that's what the passenger-side dashboard says).
As long as it's just cosmetic, I look at the rust this way (since I probably won't fix it). If I got a nicer truck, I'd feel obligated to wash the salt off regularly and try to shelter it from storms and whatnot (plus I might be paying more). But since this one already has rust and hail dents, I don't have to worry about it! Plus, that red strip at the bottom is like rust camouflage!
I should probably also mention the other part of the decision. It might actually be the biggest hang-up. If I buy this pickup that would make 4 vehicles between my wife and I. When we lived in Chicago we shared her 2000 Taurus (thanks to commuter trains) while my Cougar enjoyed some R&R in a shed at my parents' place in Nebraska. After we moved to Kansas the plan was to draft the Cougar back into service, but I totally underestimated how worthless that car was going to be with a 8-month-old. With the carseat in the back it was impossible to flip both front seats up, so we couldn't even all ride in it together. Plus after 3 years in Chicago that Taurus wasn't all that reliable for long trips through the wide-open prairie. So we recently added a 2009 Taurus (not the shagiest choice, but it's a good safe family car, the 263 horses are adequate, and it has nice options like Limited trim and a sunroof). Now my wife takes the old Taurus to work, I drive the Cougar when I don't have a baby in tow, and the new Taurus gets to avoid the salt and the elements by spending a lot of time in the garage. Of course I think it's a good arrangement and if you ask me a pickup fits into it just fine, but you know the wife isn't so sure. And she's probably not wrong. My old man is notorious for collecting "projects" and keeping his old cars when he gets new ones, and I always give him a hard time about it. But here I am turning into him! Funny how that goes . . . .
Anyhow, sorry for the long post!
Check the frame on the pass side behind the front tire I've had two rot out there both were f150 they have another cat next to the frame rail and they were rotted there other than that what can you hope for 1700 bucks Good luck
prices definitely vary, depending on region.. i searched CL really quick, and some of the MINT trucks are going for just a little more than the 1 you're interested in.. 90% of the others, lifted 4x4's which vary in price by condition, lift and tire size.. i found this 1, and started drooling until i smacked me in the face.. friggin ext cab :(
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/2789625814.html
Don't underestimate the I6. That thing can pull anything the suspension can handle. Be aware that the hydro clutch can be a problem in extreme cold weather. You push the pedal down and it does not return. To fix it u must pull the trans to replace the slave cyl. Can not just slide it back, it has to come out. Doing this on the ground is a bear! This happened to me last winter when temp was in the negatives, and parts stores had the slave cylinders on back order. That body style is the last of the real trucks in my opinion.
aaaah.. someone who agrees with me
My username used to be "fordtruckfreeek"...I had a '92...IMO, Ford quit making classy trucks in 1996. Although the Raptor is pretty sharp..but that's not the issue...
Mine had the 5.0, Mazda 5 speed, and a 3.55. Oh yeah, was a supercab too...going from a reg. cab '89 F150 to the s'cab '92...I hate NOT having a bigger cab now...even more so with 2 kids. Room for coats, toy, groceries..etc..anything you dont want in the wind, weather or in people's easy reach...
And...you CAN change the slave cylinder with the trans in the truck...I did mine. But, mine was 2 wheel drive..I pulled the shifter off the top, pen 15ed the trans over on it's side and slid it back as far as I could get it...only had a few inches of room, but with patience, it works.
Doubt it could be done with a 4x4 truck. Someday I'll get another one...I'd love to have a Centurion (http://"http://www.fordf150.net/specialeditions/images/93centurione1501.jpg")...think Expedition, but before Expy's were made. (Was a standard cab truck, sectioned, with the rear part of a crew cab welded in, and finally, a Bronco rear welded in.) Google 'em..they were neat.
centurions are a rare bird, i've only ever seen 2 in my life.. it's basically a 4 door, stretched out bronco with F250 suspension.. i've love to own 1, just to say i have 1
They made 'em in 1/2ton running gear too...as the pic I linked will attest to lol
There's actually one in the town I work in...a long time Ford dealership guy bought it new back in the day...he sold it a few years ago...the current owner uses it to pull his mower trailer (he has a lawn care business). Still looks boss...think the rust has been kept at bay.
It's funny you mention the clutch slave cylinder. I found a F-150 forum and did a little browsing just to see what kind of problems showed up for pickups this age, and the one that stuck out to me was a clutch pedal that stuck to the floor and ended up being the slave cylinder. Didn't sound like a fun repair.
Boss is definitely the word for that Centurion. Never seen one of those before.
you forgot the link.. lol i thought they only made them in the C-250 form.. i'd rather have a C-150 than, because i have a buttload of nice aftermarket aluminum wheels that i had for my bronco and F150's
Link is in post 13
The transmissions kinda suck in those too. If you beat on them hard you will wear them out quick. Especially towing heavy loads. The hydralic slave really isn't that bad, its just like doing a clutch.
oh, you made 'centurion' the link.. i see it now lol
that 1 sits a lot lower than it's C-250 brother, i still like it though.. i wish ford would have built more of them
Ford built none of them..Centurion did.
oh, didn't know that.. so i guess they just took a bronco platform and stretched it.. well them for not building more.. lol
Ohhh, it's an aftermarket deal? Crazy.
I decided to pass. The rust was actually worse than it looked in the pictures, and it didn't run bad but it didn't run great either. Thanks for all the input!
well that sucks, but at least you knew what to look for!