will_reed

Ok guys, I currently drive a 2014 Ram RCSB 3.6L automatic. It's a great little truck and I'm happy with it, but I want to break the new truck every two years cycle and I'm not owning this high tech thing when the warranty runs out.

The idea I have is to buy the most solid low mileage truck I can find and spend the next 6 months "restoring" it and making sure everything is good to go, then sell the Ram and drive the older truck. I drive about 25k a year, and have a pretty nice '97 Wrangler as a backup. We also keep the boss in a new car, so we have her vehicle for long trips, etc. The heaviest thing I ever tow is a 6x12 open trailer with a Polaris RZR on it. (2000-2300lbs I'd guess). I'm a member here from when I had a 2011 F-150 so I thought this would be a good place to ask.

The top contender right now is a 1991 XL 4.9 5 speed LWB with about 60k miles on it, it seems like a very solid old truck and probably in nice enough original condition to justify spending a little money on.

I've driven 5 speed base model trucks before, but I haven't had a daily driver more than a couple years old in a long time.

So what do you guys think? Is the 4.9 enough engine that I won't hate my daily commute? Is there any reason that I should skip the 8th gen and keep looking for a 9th? What can I except for fuel mileage? I get a consistent 22 from the Ram on my commute, but would be ok in the 15-17 range.

77Ranger460

I have driven a 5 speed truck daily for over 20 years. I prefer a manual.

That truck would make a great daily driver. IMO, the 300 was the best motor ever made by Ford.

Lazarus-F150

I have a 92 300 manual (with a 6" lift and 33x12" tires) and love it. It's not my daily driver, but it certainly could be. I would recommend going through the forum to make a list of the common issues to take care of right after buying the truck to maximize drivability, "performance", and mileage. There are a ton of small, easy, and inexpensive things that can be done to get these trucks up to speed (no pun intended). One small thing that made a nice difference that's specific to the manual is to replace the shifter bushings....

24willyboy

I agree with this. A 300 will easily run 300,000+ miles with nothing but regular maintenance and tune ups (spark plugs, oil changes, etc etc...), it's almost indestructible lol. You can drive the living crap out of one and it'll just eat it up and keep going. Plus it's torquey and is great for towing.

joegeds

Wow - it's hard to believe that truck is 25 yrs old - and with only 60k on the odometer, it's just barely broken in!! I drive a '96 manual 4X4 with the straight 6 as my daily driver and have to admit, its not as fun as it used to be. Now, I drive about 50-80 miles per day in and around Detroit - lots and lots of stops/starts and horrible, torrential road conditions up here in the north. I feel every little bump, and of course, every foot-deep pothole. The roads are much smoother in Tennessee.
Bottom line: if you have relatively smooth roads, and little city traffic, that truck will make a great daily driver.


BTW: If you don't want it, let me know who is selling it!!

77Ranger460

We bought a 1985 brand new for a farm truck and did beat the crap out of it. We sold it about 2 years ago because it was so far gone....No BS my dad said he could only recall changing the oil in it 4 times...It was running when it left our place. It still ran quiet and did not smoke or use oil.

77Ranger460

My 1977 only has 53k miles on it.

David Young

I have a 91 4X4 short bed with the 5 speed manual and 4.9L motor. It does really good on the Tennessee hills I only have the 3.08 rear gear ratio, wish it had 3.55 or 3.73 gears but i don't tow anything but a 1,200 lbs boat. That's only ever so often.

Mine only has 59,000 miles

will_reed

Great info guys, I really appreciate it. The plan right now is to go take a look at this truck on Monday, that's my next opportunity due to work.

I like my trucks plain but nice, even my current 2014 has manual windows and locks. This would be my first long bed, but I think it looks more at home on this model Ford than it does some other trucks and would be useful for sure.

I started out looking for a "like new" older truck, but quickly found out that most people's like new and mine are two different things. That's when I started looking for one to somewhat restore myself.

clintm6

Mine's a 95 with the 6 and a 5-speed. I drive about 80-90 miles a day, mostly highway (which gets pretty crowded sometimes!), and I get about 18-19 mpg. Only mods were K & N filter, hotter coil, and dual e-fans. This is my first F-150 after having a couple of smaller trucks, and I really like the ride. Plus I really like having a bit of metal around me while I'm on those highways!