clintm6

When I was looking for an F150, a mechanic friend of mine said to go with a 95 or 96, and the straight 6 with a manual. Everything changed with the 97 model year, and not necessarily for the better. The 300 straight six is a tough engine that's known for going hundreds of thousands of miles. Mine's just over 200k now and still runs like a top! I'd pick the 96 over the 97 any day!

DarrinT04

the 10th's were good trucks too. my grandfather had a 97 with the 4.6 and he couldn't of asked for a better truck. was reliable and pulled everything we hooked to it. what i don't like about the 10th's (especially the 97 & 98) is how easily the frame rusts. his frame rusted in two when we were haling cattle in a 20 foot trailer. once we got back to farm and i got up underneath and looked at frame, i was shocked we made it home. the truck had been great. to me the 4.6 is unstoppable. when it comes to deciding between the two, it all comes down to which body-style you like best. it is that simple because they are both awesome trucks

TES

I really appreciate your insight. Before i travel 10 hours am going to have and appraiser take a look at the 96, but the more I hear the more I am leaning to the 96.

TES

Thanks for your input. It may just be a function of being in my mid 50s, but I really prefer the 96 body, However, i have a mechanic tells me the 10th generation has some great longevity too.

sdmartin65

The 96 looks like a truck someone has loved and taken care of, with that being said it looks like an XL that someone has put a bunch of XLT parts on. It could also be a lower trim XLT. What I'm seeing is the holes from the two post swing out mirrors, the existing mirrors without chrome caps and the missing upgraded tailgate with the brushed metal piece. Hard to tell if the seat is the bucket style or the upgrade bench with center arm wrest. The fully covered interior of the XLT is much quieter than an XL. The power mirrors and windows in the XLT are also nice. The bucket seat my XLT has is very comfortable. For that money I'd also want all the smog equipment intact, even if it's not necessary in your area removal would be a red flag for me. I'd have the seller send pictures of every area of the truck, he's asking good money so it shouldn't be a problem.

As has been stated the 4.6 is a very good engine choice that should be matched to a 4r70w auto, a reliable transmission.

TES

Thi is the truck I am considering

TES

Thi is the truck I am considering

TES

added some photos

raski

Is the white truck the 97?

TES

to me the white one appears to be a 96, I posted the Burgundy one as the 96 I am considering buying.