sorry another OT ford f150 question

JRSutton · Aug 28, 2012

I had been looking for an 73-76 f100 or older f150.

Came across what looks like a great deal on an 88 f150.

Under 2 grand, 302 engine - auto - in great shape, no rot (rare around here) and lots of new parts.

Any reason I should stay away from an 88?

Anything I should look for?

Got the money burning a hole in my pocket as we speak...

Anonymous-0 · Aug 28, 2012

Nice as the older ones are to look at, I think you'll be happier with the 88...

It's a ford, how could you go wrong??????? Can't advise you on the price other than it's worth whatever you are willing to pay.... Just get it, give it a good goin over (highest scheduled service chart from the owner's manual), and maintain it from there......

Good Luck......

Or, just send that money to me so's ya don't get a blister on your leg....

Ken Macfarlane · Aug 28, 2012

Not the best truck for towing. The engine isn't as torquey as the inline 6, and that transmission can't stand up to low speed operation, at least not without a massive aftermarket cooler. We burned one up just driving slow around hayfields, never towed a trailer with it, wasn't even a ball on the truck. Did drive on the highway nice with the 4 speed auto.

The neighbours had the same truck with the inline 6 and 4 spd with low 1st, that thing was abused and abused towing 8 ton hay racks up and down hills. We'd have to put 50+ bales on the truck or it would just spin the tires trying to get up one of the paved hills on our normal route.

JRSutton · Aug 28, 2012

daah - you had to tell me that...

I would be towing with it... probably nothing crazy though, mostly a small horse trailer with goats or a calf...

maybe a hay wagon or two...

It DOES have an aftermarket trans cooler in it...

rustyfarmall · Aug 28, 2012

You will not be happy with a 302.

JRSutton · Aug 28, 2012

Here's the ad for the truck.

Heading over there shortly to take a closer look at it.
Untitled URL Link

Tony in Mass. · Aug 28, 2012

I used to haul anything that fit on the trailer with an '85 E150 van with 3sp auto and 302. Not the fastest pony in the stable, just about sat on the ground, but did the job. Sold it to a friend who needed it more than I did.
Now I have an 88 E150 campervan I will set up to haul with one of these days. You just got to be patient, use better judgement and horse sense than you would need with a super duper big rig. What's nice about 1980's 150's is when you aren't hooked to a trailer, they are just as economical and handy to drive as a small car, and all too old for emmissions testing.

JRSutton · Aug 28, 2012

why not? power?

JRSutton · Aug 28, 2012

sounds about where I want to be - not too interested in excess power here. This thing would be my run around vehicle - mostly in town, 35mph and under.

Really thinking it's hard to go wrong for this price - no matter what it needs.

dhermesc · Aug 28, 2012

Wish it was closer - for that price I'd buy it.

The one thing I'd check out closely was the line "needs some wiring". If mice have been in it you might be better off passing - a new wiring harness is a PIA to install. I stripped the interior out of a 1987 F150 that had "a few wiring issues". The mice got behind the dash and ate everything. The junk yard was going to put it back on the road until they saw that mess.

A 302 will tow as long as your expectations aren't too high. I tow a two horse trailer behind mine without an issue.

The bigger issue is if it has the C6 3 speed, the AOD or the E4OD transmission. The C6 or the E4OD will handle anything the 302 can throw at it, the AOD transmission is pretty light duty when it comes to towing.

Sean Feeney · Aug 28, 2012

Worcester Ma, No rot/rust better check it good looks like a nice truck.

Tony in Mass. · Aug 28, 2012

Yeah and that looks nice! I forgot to say my camper has a 302/5Litre too, but this one is 'throttle body fuel injection'... never had one of these before. That truck looks sweet for that price... I like extented cabs tho, got spoiled by one, can't live without that space since then. You are in Mass too, so you know what I mean by avoiding the @#$%^^&* emmissions test....

JRSutton · Aug 28, 2012

oh yea - very familiar with the emissions testing!

Yeah - will take a closer look shortly. But like I said - really looks pretty nice anyways. Can't see where it wouldn't be worth more than he's asking if he's being honest.

JRSutton · Aug 28, 2012

yeah - I can fix anything with a wrench... but wiring scares me.

So will be taking a close look there.

dhermesc · Aug 28, 2012

See my post above - a lot depends on what transmission they put in it. A heavy duty C6 (3 speed if they were still using it on the 1/2 tons) the E4OD (electronic C6 with an OD) and the AOD transmission (light duty).

JRSutton · Aug 28, 2012

I'm off to see it (maybe buy it).

I'll let you know how I make out - well over an hour away...

thanks for all your input.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 28, 2012

What color is the interior? I have a brand new still in the box set of inside door panels for an '88 with power windows. (red in color)

johndeereman · Aug 28, 2012

There noted for cracked exhaust manifolds on the right hand side not a big deal can still buy new ones for about $150. I had an '89 with granny 4speed had to trade it for an ext. cab missed that truck till I got my '02 f-250 with 7.3 and 6speed stick now that's a truck that's hard to beat

WGM · Aug 28, 2012

This ain"t no throttle body.

JRSutton · Aug 28, 2012

Dave, I was JUST about to stick the money in the mail to you, but decided at the last second to buy the truck instead.

Sorry.

Might end up being the same net result to me though, as the truck isn't running. Starter solenoid is dead, and the fuel pump isn't working.

I had to buy it as is. So I'm gambling. I could easily be sorry I did.

He came down further on the price and he threw in the aluminum toolbox...

He came down far enough that I decided it was worth taking the risk - not that I'm made of money, but I'm figuring that absolute worse case scenerio and I got totally screwed, I'll survive.

He at least sounded honest, we'll see.

JRSutton · Aug 28, 2012

funny - I can't even remember - think it's gray.

Too late to go out and look.

I know it's not red.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 29, 2012

(quoted from post at 20:27:24 08/28/12) Dave, I was JUST about to stick the money in the mail to you, but decided at the last second to buy the truck instead.

Sorry.

Might end up being the same net result to me though, as the truck isn't running. Starter solenoid is dead, and the fuel pump isn't working.

I had to buy it as is. So I'm gambling. I could easily be sorry I did.

He came down further on the price and he threw in the aluminum toolbox...

He came down far enough that I decided it was worth taking the risk - not that I'm made of money, but I'm figuring that absolute worse case scenerio and I got totally screwed, I'll survive.

He at least sounded honest, we'll see.

Before you start tearing everything apart and panicking, check the ignition switch on the steering column (have to remove the cover under the dash) and make sure it hasn't worked loose and slid a little so that things won't get switched on as needed. Takes about 15 minutes.
Here's a good forum to help out with any questions you may have...

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum28/

and Rockauto is a good source for parts. Looks like a real nice truck.
Have fun.

Little gas, little oil...
Little spark, little coil...
Piece of tin and a 2 inch board..
Put it together, and you got a Ford...

Don't get discouraged, not a lot of complicated stuff there....

JRSutton · Aug 29, 2012

I'm pretty confident I'll get it running.

Guy swears it was running like a top, but the fuel pump stopped working. he sounded pretty knowledgeable and honest.

He's got a new truck, he's out of work, and was desperate for cash.

He threw in a perfectly good aluminum tool box for the back - that right there's a $300 box new.

So between that and the price I paid - too hard to say no.

Even my wife approved it. Need I say more?

Anonymous-0 · Aug 29, 2012

Those trucks were known for the fuel pump wire corroding off right at the fuel pump relay. Also had corrosion problems with the ground wire from the battery to the radiator yoke right in front of the battery.

Something you may want to look at first.

JRSutton · Aug 30, 2012

Threw a new solenoid in - turns over.

Switched to the rear tank - fires right up.

Runs great.

Still need to fix the wiring to the front tank - but I can live with that.

Tempted to turn around and re-sell it right now for more than I paid. Would be easy...

... but I still want a truck.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 30, 2012

(quoted from post at 09:44:25 08/30/12)
Tempted to turn around and re-sell it right now for more than I paid. Would be easy...

... but I still want a truck.

You'll hate yourself in the morning.........

That other tank is prolly just a corroded plug like the other folks said and you'll never find a deal like you just got a second time.....

sorry another OT ford f150 question

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