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About to pickup a 1996 F250 - Please Help a new with some photos
Hi good people, first time posting - long time lurking, really enjoy the content here.
Quick intro, I finally grew a pair to get a big boy truck and I set my eyes on a 1996 F250 5.8L V-8 / manual 5 speed. The thing has 160k miles. Exterior / Interior are in pretty good shape, truck starts (it does shake just a tiny bit idling), drives and keeps a straight line ... but, I'd like to run few photos by you good people, my main concern is rust and engine bay - please let me know your thoughts
America Truck!!! \
ok - so how much rust is too much rust ?
does anything stand out here ?
what the heck is going on here ?
Last edited by Urban AU; Mar 12, 2021 at 09:40 PM.
... oh, and yes - I do realize that this is a F150 forum - but, please look beyond that silly little detail considering all other things are pretty equal
Welcome to the site, as a user!
Didn't see anything concerning on your underside pics, not too concerned with the screw plug on the vacuum tap - may have originally been capped off anyway.
Are you sure it's a 7.5L (460 CID), as the intake manifold is showing 5.8L (351 CID) - a fine motor, unless you really wanted a 460 for your planned usage.
Appears that the truck was taken care of, with the vacuum line replacement and nothing showing out as cobbled together. Just have to keep in mind it's had 24-25 birthdays.
Welcome to the site, as a user!
Didn't see anything concerning on your underside pics, not too concerned with the screw plug on the vacuum tap - may have originally been capped off anyway.
Are you sure it's a 7.5L (460 CID), as the intake manifold is showing 5.8L (351 CID) - a fine motor, unless you really wanted a 460 for your planned usage.
Appears that the truck was taken care of, with the vacuum line replacement and nothing showing out as cobbled together. Just have to keep in mind it's had 24-25 birthdays.
you’re spot on ... it is the 351 engine indeed, one VIN site reported it as 7.5, and it’s actually better as I understand the fuel economy is much better on this truck
Regarding the underside, the only thing that concerns me is the rust area on the back close to the real bumper ... for some reason it looks much worse than the rest of the frame
You should edit your original post about the engine size -it's going to be the most common comment.
The rust is mild for the age. The rear bumper bracket looks to be the worst.
I can't tell if the bracket is factory, the bumper doesn't seem to be, perhaps a different bracket included to mount the bumper.
Check the spare for 1) make sure it can be lowered and 2) make sure it isn't aged and expired.
Also check the serpentine belt for cracking as replace as necessary.
Last edited by 16IngotFX4; Mar 12, 2021 at 09:20 PM.
You should edit your original post about the engine size -it's going to be the most common comment.
The rust is mild for the age. The rear bumper bracket looks to be the worst.
I can't tell if the bracket is factory, the bumper doesn't seem to be, perhaps a different bracket included to mount the bumper.
Check the spare for 1) make sure it can be lowered and 2) make sure it isn't aged and expired.
Also check the serpentine belt for cracking as replace as necessary.
looks good to my Tesla driving yuppie eyes, and yes ... I’ve been EV for the past 4 years, last truck was a 2012 F150 XLT, loved it, yet couldn’t justify the MPGs for a daily commuter
Last edited by Urban AU; Mar 12, 2021 at 11:30 PM.
About to pickup a 1996 F250 - Please Help a new with some photos
- but, please look beyond that silly little detail considering all other things are pretty equal 
That's NOT too much rust - this is:
That little fella? I wouldn't worry about that little fella! 
