spammer

I have my eyes on a ford f-150 between 94-96. I want the later year fords because of some safety features that earlier ones don't have. I have a few questions for you ford enthusiasts.

1. Can I fit two kids in the back of an extended cab in a pinch? Not daily, but only if I really need on occasion. It looks like the 40/20/40 would be my only option with a rear facing in the middle.

2. If no, can you recommend a truck in the $4-7k range that would fit kids in the back safely?

3. Are these trucks good in the snow with 4x4? I watched some videos on youtube and they seemed really bad. I'm guessing any AWD suv would be better. Thoughts?

Truthfully, a Ford Ranger would be more than adequate for my needs. I own a property management company and an apartment so I'm hauling little stuff most of the time. I just like the older F-150's. Hopefully you can sway me towards the right truck.

spammer

Also, sway me away from a Silverado 1500. They seem a bit cheaper than the fords, but I know nothing about trucks. Thanks.

f150cam

#1 yes you can EASILY fit 2 kids in the back seat, iv had my 2 friends in the backseat of mine and they are both well over 6 ft and 300 lbs ea.

#3 iv had no issues in the snow, im not sure where you seen these trucks having issues in the snow? lol


Silverado 1500s suck...thats about all i got, never owned 1, only 1 iv had a little experience with is a 94 that my girlfriends sister owns and the interior is far from the nicest IMO.

spammer

- This is one video I found. I am more concerned about driving on the highway in light snow before they plow.

What is the most reliable engine in the later years (94-96)? I have read 4.9, 5.0 and 5.8 with the 5.8 being most desirable for its size. I know any engine will be enough truck for me, so I'm looking for the most reliable 1st, and also best mpg 2nd.

Liquor_Rims

Reading everything you want.

A Ranger would work for you.
You will haul small stuff.
Reliability is # 1
Best mpg is # 2

Yeah buddy, buy a Toyota Tacoma. Most reliable & best mpg (25mpg) truck I ever owned. I don't own my F150 for either.

spammer

Yes I like Tacoma's and Rangers. I guess my only problem is that I need it to fit car seats in a pinch, and it has to fit in my budget (I'd prefer to spend less than $7k).

Both the Ranger and the Tacoma look like they have super small extended cabs so it seems difficult to fit two car seats unless you get the super cab which goes out of my budget range.

Aktech

If you buy a truck in the 94-96 buy a manual,multimeter,hand vac pump and more tools. Some of the trucks need more work than others but sooner or later your going to have to pull on wrenches. Hope you like to working on trucks. 7 grand is a lot, get a newer truck imho. Even newer trucks may need work but 94-96 are getting older. They don`t have a third door either so keep that in mind when you got to load the kids in and out it.

spammer

Anything is easier than my old Range Rover which I have to fix on a monthly basis. I don't mind working on them a little. I just don't want another project.

I read that this era of trucks is reliable. Thought they would go forever?

I'd like something that I could get in and drive 400 miles if needed without worrying that it will die on me. I drive from the Bay Area to Reno often and need something for the once a year trip when the pass is covered in snow. I like the old fords, hate the 97-08 style, love the 09+ but don't want to spend that kind of money.

f150cam

that thin layer of snow on the highway has more to do with what tires you run (studded) any vehicle will slide/get stuck in that. i drove my f250 50 miles over the pass this winter and i didn't have any issues with the snow on the road.

also i see no issues here lol

D60

Not sure what safety features have you excited? The crumple zones are a joke IMO and 4WABS is over-rated and just adds complication.

These trucks are excellent in the snow. Take it from someone who grew up in Colorado driving to ski areas most days, or the one guy who would show up for work on time and not understand why everyone else was freaking out that white stuff had fallen from the sky. In Colorado. In the winter. Shocking that it'd snow, eh??

The key to any vehicle being good in snow is 1) good tires and 2) good driver, not necessarily in that order. AWD anything makes me uneasy as I learned to drive with vehicles where I dictate which drive axles are engaged and when.

I'm gonna say the 4.9 is the most reliable, or more accurately likely to go the longest. Really just because inline motors inherently last longer by design. However in the years you're looking at you're most likely to find a direct proportion between engine size and trim level; ie a base model XL might have the 4.9 but any XLT is likely gonna have the 5.8. The 5.0 fits in there somewhere.......

As for the Taco suggestion Toy makes a great product if you can live w their interiors. Sitting in a Toy for any more than 30 minutes has always been like Chinese, er Japanese water torture for me. This is purely an ergonomics/personal preference issue and I don't mean to bash Toyota otherwise. Altho I'd love a 2nd gen Ranger with manual trans for zipping around/commuting.

If you can get a '99+ Silverado they're excellent and go FOREVER (presently have 220k on the wife's '02 with no signs of quitting, very few rattles and excellent oil pressure) but the previous generation doesn't excite me. However with GM IFS you'll avoid TTB which, truthfully, is never a bad thing.