ChrisJRab

Hello to fellow members on F150forum.com, my name is Chris.

I just joined this forum because, well, i just purchased my first Ford vehicle, a 2002 F-150 XLT 4.6L V8 5spd Manual Stepside Short-box Regular Cab 4x4 with the FX4 off road package as well as a tonneau and towing package.

I've always liked this exact truck (except i preferred automatic), and a couple days ago one popped up at just the right time. I sold my Honda Civic that was dying and I've been looking for a 4WD, and saw this by the road.

Its a one owner car, i am the second owner. The girl ordered it directly from the Ford factory and purchased it through a dealer in Raleigh North Carolina, and it has spent its years in South Carolina until this year when she moved north.

Its got 109,000 miles, car fax shows excellent maintenance, and the truck itself looks better in every way than my parent's nearly brand new 2011 Toyota Tundra (which is a pretty sweet truck)

No adequate rust of any kind anywhere on the vehicle. There are some pencil eraser sized chips in the paint, about a handful of them, and I'm planning to repair those and touch up paint them asap. The paint job is pristine, the frame still has original black paint as well as the exhaust and drivetrain retaining factory paint and finish. The engine purrs like no V8 i have ever heard, its amazing. The Chrome bumpers are in immaculate condition for being almost 13 years old, its truly incredible.

Id appreciate any tips on driving standard... Im totally new to it but very excited to learn as I'm an aspiring delivery truck driver as soon as i get my class B license.

Any tips on how to NOT stall, how to shift fluidly and when to apply gas/clutch, timing, etc would all be appreciated.

Thanks for reading, heres a couple pictures of my truck.






Rims in like new condition





Sorry for low Res, my iPod touch is out of date!

Blackpony

Nice truck!! I did not know they put a 5 speed trans behind a v8 in the f150 trucks! Guess you learn something new everyday!! haha

Ftruck150

Beautiful truck, congratulations. I'm jealous to hear about the frame still being black and the no rust, damn southerners

As for tips for driving manual, there's really no way anyone can say anything in text that's going to help. Just go out and drive it and you'll get the hang of it in no time.

Toddrick

That is really nice! Stick shifts are fun. Just let off the clutch about halfway until you feel it grip, and then gently add gas as you let off the clutch the rest of the way.

ChrisJRab

Thanks guys!

Well my intent isn't to make anybody jealous about its lack of rust, haha. I'm planning to oil coat it because my upstate New York winters are brutal on vehicles because of our salt and heavy heavy snow with temp changes.

Thanks for the tips regarding stick shift- Im hoping to start practice tomorrow!

ChrisJRab

Yes it's geared quite well, 4th is as high as I need- it goes to 65 smoothly at under 2,000 RPMs. Fifth Is an overdrive which pretty much puts it at a 1,200 RPM idle at 70+ mph.

It's my first time driving manual, it's very enjoyable (except for stopping and starting on hills...) haha

Very happy with the truck, couldn't think of a better setup for what I need.

1Aauto

Welcome to the site.
Tony