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I have had my eyes out for a truck for a couple months now and drove my one I have some questions about. Went out to the see 22 Jump St with the wife tonight and it was on the way there. I cant seem to pinpoint a hauling capacity for it though... So many different models!
This one is a 1995 F150 XLT Super Cab (4x4) 5.8L(not the 5.0) v8 w/ 160,000 miles. Body is in pretty darn good condition. KBB seems to be around 4k if I am using that site correctly?
Thanks guys!
I have the same truck with about the same mileage. Not knowing the area of the country you are in, I do not know the value. In my part of the country it is only worth about $ 1,500. The best part about a truck like this is that parts are easy to come by and usually cheap around here. The hauling capacity of the truck using the bed alone is only a half of a ton. Hauling capacity of mine is about 7 tons with a goose neck trailer, heavy duty suspension, correct weight distribution, 10 ply tires, and slow speeds. Weight distribution is a science the engineers on the site can explain. For me it is trial and error. Good luck.
This might help in regard to towing capacity:
1995 Ford F-Series Tow Ratings - Brochure Scan
The most important number is the Gross Combined Weight Rating. Here's an explanation of how that works:
HowStuffWorks "How Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) Works"
These are the numbers for when the truck was new. I would reduce them by 40 - 50% for a twenty year old truck w/ 150 K.
I think one of the more important thing to address is what Patroit has hit on, proper weight distribution, upgraded suspension, and upgraded tires. Once loaded driving like you have a load not like the vehicle is empty. I am not suggesting you don't know all of this but others who read this thread may not be. Mike.
for the bed i can say it physically can handle more than 3000. you can push up to 4200 - 4500 in it if yours is anything like mine was. the big thing is load size, distrobution and keep an eye on the springs. if you nearly flatten them you probably should lighten up a bit.
4620 was my heaviest in my bed of my 1992 and that straightened the leafs out till unloaded.
Trailer-wise i have hauled 14,700 lbs of live wieght regularly on my 1992 on the reciever.
Brakes are another thing. they dont handle that kind of wieght and stress well. You will need new pads every 6 months or so unless you install a electronic trailer brake system. even then you will do them yearly or every other year. at least if you heavy haul on them constantly like i did mine.
I had a 1992 f150 with 4.9L / 300 inline 6 & 5 speed. factory all around and 230k miles. only special or uncommon thing with it was " boss style step bumper & receiver setup and that was factory.
Btw i never used 10 plys. I ran 235/75r15 Goodyear Wrangler RT/S (6 ply) though do agree its a good idea. I just made sure they were propperly filled and then added more air after to remove a little sag. After unloaded they were deflated back to regular pressure
Ex had a red one I used to drive all the time, not sure of weight cap, but it did pretty well...4k is a bit high even here, unless it was garage kept and only driven to church on Sunday.
Check the dual tanks, everyone around here had problems with them leaking...ours was no exception.
Thanks for all of the info! I believe it does have one of the bumper mount hitches. I would want to be replacing that, correct? As for trailer I do plan to get a bigger dual wheel with independent brakes. It looks like the rating is around 7,300 towing cap, but sounds like you guys are pulling more than that?..? Do the upgraded suspension and tires add that much? Or is it just a combination of all the above. I will need to find out a bit more about the truck I guess. He is asking 2.6k, and I would hope to get it down to 2k, but even then sounds like it might be a bit high still.
Once again, the price depends on your location. A 4x4 truck in the south does not increase it's value much, but a two wheel drive in the north is worthless without chains and weights four months of the year. As far as KBB you want to look at a private sale price.
There has been some great insight here and without taking the time to give proper credit, my experience will be summarized. Yes each element is important because a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. If the truck has it's original suspension system, use it until it breaks and then replace it with a heavier system. If you load 2 tons in an old half ton truck, it will not take long to have an excuse to replace the springs. Vehicle ratings are conservative and based on liability. When you start to flatten the springs, you start to lift up the front end and steering becomes a problem. Trailer breaks are important for large loads and learning how to drive as if you did not have brakes will extend their life. I run the maximum ply tire I can because blowouts with full loads can be nerve racking. Someone else mentioned air pressure and I am a big believer in running my tires at the max to reduce blowouts. Most of the time I run at 82 psi when hauling.
A bumper hitch trailer cannot haul as much as a gooseneck because it is harder to distribute the weight. All the weight from the trailer is behind the back bumper making it easier to lift the front end while a gooseneck distributes the weight directly over the back axle. Imagine a teeter totter. The example of weight hauled given earlier was with a 10 ton gooseneck trailer and a 1/2 ton truck. With the one ton diesel and this same trailer over 12 tons has been hauled 60 miles going 60 mph during 90 degree days. This was documented in the water tank post. Good luck.
Good luck.
i had a 95 f150 drove it four years still ran good when i made the mistake of trading for a newer one. had 325000 miles on it
had to replace tranny twice cant take the abuse i put on it
Thanks a bunch Patriot! 2WD is ABSOLUTELY useless here for at least 4 months haha! Especially because this vehicle will also be used to get me on and off the frozen lakes for ice fishing... need the 4x4! There is a 1999 F250 with 160k miles here in VERY nice condition with the topper ($2,900), but its only 2wd! That thing has a GCWR @ 10,000 and has a nicer hitch. I debated it for a while but the 4x4 just has to be there! I think I will go check the 95 out again today and maybe throw him a lower offer. The wife is going to switch to a crossover this summer as well, so if she ends up with 4WD on that thing I might put a bit more thought into the F250Quote:
Originally Posted by Patriot76
Odd question.. but.. am I able to take pictures of peoples car and post them on here? I will throw a pic of that F150 up after I go look at it again today.
Also one other thought, don't drive heavy in "over-drive". If you do you will be buying transmissions. Mike
I would recommend the "99" F-250 2 wd for heavy hauling work. There's quite a difference between the f-150 and f-250. The other advantage is that the drive train is simpler. You're not funneling all that torque through a transfer case. The four wheel drive is nice to have sometimes but it's also quite a bit more expensive to own.
Have you thought about airbags ? They're really nice for leveling out an uneven load not to mention beefing up your weight carrying capacity.
This is a link to the F250. Im really torn!
1999 Ford F-250 XL - Delano, MN 55328 | CarSoup.com
Here is a pic of the 95. Its some special edition with the paint job... I was confused as to why it didn't say 4x4 on it, but it is indeed 4x4. Tires look to have over 50% tread. Are they a decent brand? It does just have the trailer mount hitch, but the guy offered to cut his mounted hitch off a 3/4 ton he was piecing out and using to upgrade his current 3/4 ton and give it to me free. I am going to test drive it tmr. There is just rust in the few spots.
http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/...ps067a42ad.jpg
a running, driving 4x4 in my area in 1500+ from Sept to March. at that price it may need minor work to pass NYS inspection. and that is for a pos. If you can afford an/or justify the purchase, bring a mechanic, or redneck lvl 2 with you to poke it.
This one has room for passengers and/or a secure place for tools. It even has some cajones.
I have a 1994 f-150 with the 300 6 that I bought with some assembly required. Labor is covered by favors and shared scrap loads. I have about $1500 cash into it besides the labor and I feel like I stole it.
Check out the vacuum can. they always rot out up here.
You really can't go by the looks. Could be a "painted lady". Get it up on the lift and check out the rust situation. A good mechanic will know what to look for.
Just some things to consider:
1: Date of manufacture. One is a lot closer to the twenty year mark than the other. It could be a problem to get critical repair parts that are only available through Ford.
2: Previous owner: Is that person hard on equipment ?
3: Who has been doing the repair work ? Was it someone ASE certified or a shade tree mechanic ?
4: < you're gonna shoot me > Have the emissions been messed with ? The emissions are every bit a part of the motor as the push rods or oil pump. You can't take em' off without messing up the motor. Something like the exhaust gas recirculation unit actually improves gas mileage and cools combustion temperatures on a hot day. If the thermactor system has been messed with it will cause incorrect readings at the O2 sensor and the ECU will either run the engine too rich or too lean thus possibly damaging the cat.
Complicated much ? That's a hassle you don't want. If it's all there that's good. If parts n pieces are missing it can take a really good mechanic and lotsa money to straighten it all out again.
5: Is it showing a CEL ( check engine light ) If so ... the on board diagnostic feature of the ECU will throw a trouble code and give you some insight as to whether or not there are and problems with the motor or transmission.
6: Used car salesmen don't have the best reputation for integrity but a reputable dealership has certain quality standards that it adheres to. If a trade in doesn't meet spec they either fix it or wholesale it out. Watch the prices ... if it's too good to be true then it might not be.
7: A VIN # report on a vehicle you're interested in might set you back 30 bucks but save you thousands later on.
Scrappah, thanks for all the information. I will take every piece of that into consideration. A VIN report will definitely be done. The guy seems quite genuine so I feel he will answer most questions honestly. I will ask about the previous owner as well as any work performed to it.
While searching to see if the vehicle was listed online I did another search of F150 and the same city and this turned up O.O! Called, and after about 15 minutes of convo I found out it has 165,00 miles, 1999 F150 with 5.4 V8, 4x4, topper and brush guard included, A/C BROKEN, and hole in muffler. Listed almost the exact same as the 1995. I will be going for a test drive in this one right after the 95. OH! Also, this 1999 has a frame mounted hitch already! One thing he said which I wasnt sure was positive or negative... "over the past 4 years it has pretty much sat and only been used for hunting and ice fishing". Is it a good thing that no major work has been performed in 4 years? He has owned the vehicle sine 2002.
http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/...psdee8ba85.jpg
Gee ... you're making me jealous. Good used trucks are hard to find here in Maine and you're looking at a minimum bid of six grand for something that will pass state inspection.
It's better to get somebody's " daily driver " as opposed to one that's been sitting for awhile. Here's why:
1: They rust out a lot faster underneath when they're sitting idle on bare soil. All of the moisture comes up and condenses on the metal.
2: We're in a little bit of a fix because these trucks weren't designed to run on the ethanol blended fuel that we have to use these days. The EPA mandate of a 10% blend didn't come out till sometime in 2004 ?
The fuel only has a reliable shelf life of 30 days. After that it's apt to undergo phase separation. The high octane alcohol is blended with something like a 70 octane gasoline to make a fuel that is around 87 octane. When they separate the alcohol absorbs moisture from the air and becomes worthless. What you're left with is a low octane gasoline that has no anti-knock additive. Bad things happen when you turn the key !
This blended fuel is also a lot more corrosive than regular gasoline. It's bad for fuel fill pipes and fuel tanks and fuel pumps.
3: Nature has a way of moving in and taking over when a truck sits. Mice nest in the heating ducts, air filters,seat cushions, and anywhere else they can set up housekeeping. They nibble on wires and poop all over the place .... naaaaasty !
4: It's really common for brake calipers to lock up once a truck has been sitting. That's a couple of hundred bucks in repairs right off the bat.
Anyway ... i hope this is helpful. It's a lot to take in.
Help!! I have just come back from test drives on both vehicles and I am absolutely TORN! Here are some of my findings..
Seller of green truck is more in need of cash and only owned for 2 years. Less knowledgeable about vehicle, but a handyman who seems halfway decent.
The Green 1995:
Pros:
-Seller would confidently get in vehicle now and drive across country
-The engine appeared very clean, hoses clean and flexible. Some parts were definitely newer pieces
-STRONG A/C
-When sitting in idle the engine was purring like a kitten. Very quiet.
-Definite badass factor in appearances and having the rare 5.8 V8
-Barely any rust!
Cons:
-The guy selling said a few weeks ago it was slipping a bit when shifting. After some research he said he found some very dirty terminals against the firing wall which he cleaned and hasn't had a problem since. We also experienced no slipping while driving (we did floor it a few times).
-No Topper
-2 Gas tanks. ONE DOESNT WORK! I am left with a single 14 (maybe 16) gallon tank!! He doesn't know what's wrong with other tank.
-This vehicle appears to be a few inches closer to the ground and also having the runner boards may mean they get destroyed sooner than later since they are so close to the ground.
-When shifting it had a tiny bit of lag... like you could feel the vehicle going from first then a slight sag then 2nd slight sag etc... I honestly think it was totally fine... its just the other truck seemed to shift almost instantly.
-Brakes slightly spongy
-No horn/Cruise control/no buttons work on the wheel (would that mean there is no power to airbag?)
The 1999 Maroon: This seller is incredibly genuine. He answered any questions asked even when they were not positive for him at all. Immediately said everything he knew that was wrong, but had great confidence in his Ol' Truck. Got some stories of its last few vacations. And he is simply selling because he has newer better vehicles, but doesn't exactly need the cash as much.
Pros:
-NICE topper included
-Brushguard
-2 Owner vehicle. He acquired in 02 and has had since.
-Engine was dirty and rusty and all looked to be original (im not sure this is a positive or negative...)
-Automatic shifting was almost instant from 1st-2nd-3rd-etc. No lag.
-Fog lights
-When started this engine had more of a growl... not in a bad way, but more in a truck/badass sounding way... if that makes sense.... It was louder than the green truck, but not any louder than the f150 sitting next to me at a stoplight.
-Does this one appear to have different suspension?? Its DEFINITELY higher off the ground... by a good 6-8 inches.
-Vehicle felt much "tighter" in the sense of instant response when turning (no sway), instant response when accelerating.
Cons:
-A/C doesn't work and he has never taken in to see why (This could be very cheap to fix, or possibly very expensive, right?)
-VERY rusty. Once the doors are open the bottom of the doors and on the vehicle in that spot its almost rusted through.
-LARGE hole in the muffler. Its about midway through so it isn't SUPER loud, but still a bit noisier than having a normal muffler.
-When revved the is a gurgling reverb noise that comes from the back, but im 99% sure its the hole in the muffler (what's a muffler cost to replace?)
-Front Right wheel had a "swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh" noise when going slowly that could be heard. Maybe a brake pad slightly rubbing?
-Brakes slightly spongy
I could really use some help... and im sure there is more that I cant think of... but im so torn!! PLEASE HELP! Interiors of both in immaculate condition, nice even wear on all tires
the maroon one has off road suspension, that's why it sits higher
Okay .... the green 1995
- The fuel pump is most likely down in the tank. If you opt to repair your best bet would be to replace the whole thing as one unit. That's expensive. It could possibly be the valve that switches from one tank to the other. That can get a little complicated.
- The shifting issue is more likely to be electrical. Much of the time replacing the speed sensor on the rear end will clear up transmission problems. It's a cheap fix if it works.
- Brakes spongy: Could be some air trapped in the brake lines.
- Horn/cruise control out: It's likely that the airbag clock spring in the steering wheel needs to be replaced. If you look in the bottom left of the instrument cluster there's a warning light for the air bag. It should be flashing error code 23. That would be two flashes pause three flashes.
1999 Maroon:
The rust is a hard thing ... it's like cancer, once it starts it's hard to stop. You might want to have a mechanic put it up on a lift to see how far along it is and how much time you've got left.
Sorry for the double post.
Was thinking .......... These older trucks need a lot of repair and upkeep. It's not so bad if you have a shop and all of the tools you need.
The repairs eat up a lot of time but the cost is limited to buying parts.
If you have pay someone to do the work for you it can get pretty expensive. Most of the brick and mortar shops have to be billing 50.00 - 75.00 $/hr for skilled labor these days just to stay in business.
Would it work better for you to set your sights on a truck that's less than 12 years old ?
but its a ford ;(
Thanks Scrappah! I should specify a bit more of what I WANT out of the truck. I already have a daily driving car that gets 26+mpg. The truck will only be used when hauling scrap around, the boat to the lake, and the ice tent onto the lakes.
If the gas tank cost more than $150 to fix I wouldn't, if the A/C cost more than $150 to fix I wouldn't, etc, etc. Both trucks are currently in decent driving condition. I want to buy the one that will last me the longest with the least amount of repairs, and I don't expect that duration to be more than a few years. In my mind im looking to pay 1,00 per year it lives with a minimum of a couple years of life left. I figure I buy a 2,000 one and have it last 2 years, or possibly put 1,000 into it over that time and have it last another year.
It's a toughie .... i couldn't recommend anything without looking it over in person.
Memory is vague but i think my repair cost (for parts ) has been averaging somewhere between 800.00 to 1,200.00 per year to keep an older Ford truck on the road. I would have to look it up.
Right around the twenty year old mark they start to run into electrical problems that are uncommonly difficult to track down & fix. One of them shut down my last truck and it took me over a week to find the problem. Even then it would still randomly shut down when i was going down the road.
I was just curious about the "95". By any chance is it one of the lightning models ? The reason i asked is that the lightning was built more as a racing truck. It had a wicked top end. Maybe .... not so good as a work truck.
Its a "Waldoch" custom model. My main concern is which engine is going to hold together and haul the best for the next couple years. The body is pretty on the 95, but I will be scrapping and driving it rough =P so that wont last long regardless. Contemplating if its a good thing that the 99 has nearly all original parts... it means it all still works, but once one piece goes im sure I will be in for a downhill slide. The 95 clearly has some updates, but that also may mean parts are already going. Im going to give both buyers another day to worry and then decide tmr after running both for another ride.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrappah
Don't knock it till you rock it , those super duty trucks have some serious parts , they are made very well . Currently I'm driving a 03 ford shortbed . The 99 will get a little less mpg but if I were armstrt8 I would be partying like its 1999 .Quote:
Originally Posted by hunterandscrapper
If the motor is the major concern, do a compression test. That will give you an idea of what is going on inside. Everything else is easy fixes.
sorry i hate fords
It's all good Bro ...
I hate workin' on em'.;)
Last year was seriously considering changing my mailing address to: Under The Truck
I ended up buying the Green 95 a few days back. Have driven it for a couple days now and so far so good ^.^ I ended up bartering it down from $2,650 to $1,900. Thanks again for all of the help everyone!!
I made the decision mostly for the healthier engine. After driving the 99 for a half hour or so I had 2 VERY rough shifts (jutted in-between gears) and also had the ABS light come on and stay on twice until the vehicle was restarted... not to mention no AC!
Why, your not old enough to drive one?? Experience one first.Quote:
Originally Posted by hunterandscrapper