RayFord

Originally posted in Introduction thread but not many viewing so...


New from SC. I'm sure you get these questions all the time, but I could really use educated opinions. My wife finally gave me the go ahead to get a beater truck for weekend excursions (camping, hunting, fishing) I drive a little car during the week for work and family stuff, so this would be almost exclusively a truck for a couple drives a week (although some of those drives could be decent lengths and sometimes towing a bass boat).

The limiting factor is my budget. $3000 is all I can spend. I've found two trucks in particular that interest me. A 92 F150, shortbed, 4x4 with 302 and a 93 longbed, ext cab 4x4 with 351 (with toolbox, brush guard and rhino liner).

They are both good looking trucks and the sellers swear they're in good condition, but here's my issue. Both are right at 200k miles. That's good mileage for their age, but I've NEVER bought something with that many miles on them.

I think I can get either one of them pretty close to $2000 cash, but I'm worried I'm buying something that will fail on me soon after I get it or leave me stranded in the woods.

If you were in my shoes, would you go for either one of them, or just forget about it and save the money? I REALLY want to get back into hunting and fishing and pulling my dad's boat, but I can't do those things realistically with my little hatchback that I drive now.

Here are the links to the ads

http://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/3883805234.html

http://columbia.craigslist.org/ctd/3853182231.html

Whatcha think? Thanks in advance for your replies.

-Ray

Wisdom

Best bet if you dont know what to look for is bribe a mechanic buddy to come with you. Or if that isnt a option, offer the owner of the truck to take it for a inspection at a good shop on your dime. If it turns out to be a pile of junk then you wasted a hundred bucks but saved a break down. That's my two cents anyway

Twisty

The Super Cab would be more useful for stowing gear.
Wisdom is right about getting it checked out.

RayFord

Oh I'll definitely look it over thoroughly. Trying to talk my dad into riding with me as he's pretty mechanically inclined. Once I get close to a decision, if it passes my test I plan on taking it to a buddy of mine at Firestone.

The gray one seems to be in immaculate condition from the pics I've seen. Just worried about getting hung up or having a harder time maneuvering in the woods with its length. What about the 302 vs the 351? Any opinions on that subject? Thanks for the responses so far.

Marc D

I like the gray truck. Both motors are bullet proof but the 302 has been around since the late 60's and is well proven.

Jjayf

My bronco (302) had 425,000 Km on it when I quit driving it. The engine was still strong, but the body had rusted apart. It had 250,000 Km when I bought it. the 302 is a good strong engine.

Russ103

For the price high mileage is expected. Just don't expect it to be trouble free but since you're not using it as a daily driver I don't see a problem. My 2010 has 103k btw.

bigred90gt

In 2010 I bought a 96 ext cab 302 with 190k miles on it. I drove it daily for over a year without ever having a problem.

In 99, My dad gave me his 86 ext cab 302 (which he bought new in 86) with well over 200k on it. The only time it had been in the shop was when he backed it into the bay launching his boat (long story for another time). It doesn't even have any squeaks or rattles on it when I got it. Of course, I was 19, and beat the **** out of it. It ran strong for a few years till I blew the engine up in it, but again, I was 19 and driving it like a typical 19 year old.

My opinion, give it a good once over and buy it if it looks good. Drive it around the block at a min to see how it runs and shifts first. I wouldn't spend any more than $2000 on either one though. I would personally buy the 302. I would think that if something does break down on it, there would be better availability of replacement parts for cheaper with the 302.

Adam013085

It won't be your DD and with your budget this is about as good as it gets. Both look pretty clean. I like the extended cab one but that is just me. Go check em out, see what they will take. You will at some point have to repair both and put some $ into them. That is just what you get for your budget though. Hopefully you won't run into anything that is going to bust the bank.

Wanted33

This ^^^^. My first truck was a 79 F-250 with 189,000 miles on it when I bought. It wasn't trouble free by no means, but not a money pit either. Little things like plugs, wire, fuel pump, water pump, and it ran for ever. With those miles you will probably run into a few things. But as my dear old Dad always said, "Any truck that runs is worth at least 2000 bucks".

If possible drive them both to a local mechanic, and give a 20 spot to check 'em out. Then pick the one the mechanic says is the best. They are both good looking for the age. Good luck.