swapping 05' F150 for a 94-98model 250 or 350

[joe t]

I've done pretty heavy in a newer half ton, a little over 9000 to the scrap yard which is a little over the limit. Did ok, wouldn't win a race. Bet I've pulled more with it a few times.


Anyway yeah an older diesel would have been nicer and I eventually bought a diesel (new one).


I guess what I'm trying to say is don't expect to pull the moon with an older 3/4 or 1 ton. I think an OBS Powerstroke would be cool but I'd weigh the option out with the road trips and such. His newer half ton may still meet his needs ok and be all around a better driver.

 

[buck12]

I have a 93 f150 that has been about as reliable as a truck can be. I bought it new and the motor and transmission have never been touched. I retired it three years ago to a hunting and play truck. It will make a 40 mile trip in the morning to go deer hunting.

 

[deerefan]

I have the 4.6 its is great for around town stuff but hauling and highways are not its strong suites. I see what you mean keeping what I have because it has been reliable. Just wanted to see what others thought.

I have the 4.6 in a 4wd F150. Good run around motor, gutless otherwise. The 5.4 is not much better. We had a 94 F250 in the fire dept with a 351. Not great on gas but towed well, about 5-6k lbs. Sold it with 225k miles and it was still strong.

 

[displacedPA]

If you are going to tow heavy, the 250 or 350 will handle it better and safer. If you are going to primarily make road trips with it, the 150 will be cheaper and more comfortable to drive.
I'm where you are- I would rather have an older truck and it be simpler, than a newer truck that is more complex. I also prefer a manual transmission over an auto. So, a mid to late 90's truck is appealing to me, too (which is what I have). Fuel mileage will be miserable unless you find a powerstroke, and then you will pay a premium for the truck and have a relatively expensive computer managed diesel engine to maintain. So, it will be a want, not a justifiable need. At least, that is how I process it for my considerations.

Im also like manual over auto this F150 is my first auto. I would only look for a power stroke I did drive a 350 with a 460 in it but I think on that highway it maybe to thirsty.
I would be towing my tractor and other things on a 16foot trailer.

thank for the input.

 

[Pops15]

I had a 460 in an '89 F250. The load it hauled or pulled had little effect on mileage but speed made a huge difference.
My 86 F250 6.9 diesel was similar in that speed made a bigger difference in mileage than the load.
Given the choices you laid out I'd go with the simpler 20 year old truck.

 

[john_bud]

cheaper truck, cheaper insurance. higher fuel costs, but maybe not while towing.

If you currently have a 4.6l, your trailers must be fairly small. Do you need the 250 / 350 class truck?

 

[94BULLITT]

The problem with a older truck like that is most are rusted up bad or only about a year or 2 away from it. I don't think I would want to go backwards and get a older, the new ones are better in so many ways. The truck you currently have will last along time if it is properly maintained.

I have the 4.6 in a 4wd F150. Good run around motor, gutless otherwise. The 5.4 is not much better. We had a 94 F250 in the fire dept with a 351. Not great on gas but towed well, about 5-6k lbs. Sold it with 225k miles and it was still strong.

Ford geared most of the 4.6/5.4 trucks way to high, if they are geared correctly they run good for what they are.

 

[deerefan]

The problem with a older truck like that is most are rusted up bad or only about a year or 2 away from it. I don't think I would want to go backwards and get a older, the new ones are better in so many ways. The truck you currently have will last along time if it is properly maintained.

Ford geared most of the 4.6/5.4 trucks way to high, if they are geared correctly they run good for what they are.

Agreed. Mine has 3.55 gears. The truck does do well in 4wd but not a good truck for towing.

 

[Pops15]

The problem with a older truck like that is most are rusted up bad or only about a year or 2 away from it. I don't think I would want to go backwards and get a older, the new ones are better in so many ways. The truck you currently have will last along time if it is properly maintained.

Ford geared most of the 4.6/5.4 trucks way to high, if they are geared correctly they run good for what they are.

If it weren't for rust I'd still have my '84 351 4 barrel. My newest truck is a 2000 so I don't have a comparison to new trucks but the only thing better about it than any of the 80's era trucks I had is it's not rusted out yet. The '00 has a 5.4 with 4.10 gears. It's a gutless pig.

 

[Soundguy]

As DP said.. keep in mind that you are looking at near 20yr old trucks.

Here's soemthing to think about.

If I was buying a truck for towing, and it was a ford, I'd forgo the f250 as it is too close to what you have in specs.. and go to a f350 DRW.. it will have a great axle capacity. also.. move your year range up a hair.. consider up to late 99 or even 2003. In the f350 line.. lat 99 saw some small changes but overall.. body change happened around the 97 year model vs the 99 model when they had new tin.

Also.. me? id go diesel. and get that 7.3psd. you could get it as early as 94.5 in a 5spd I believe. 93.5-94.5 was the older 7.3idi/ats turbo, and from 90(89??)-93.5 was the plain 7.3idi NA.. stick with the PSD..

I got rid of a half ton to get a heavier truck to tow with.. I feel safer and never have a tow vehicle issue with not enough power or brakes anymore. I liked the platform enough that I keep one for heavy towing long distance ( a 450 ) and a daily driver 350.. both 99.. the 350 is a early 99, the 450 is a late 99. I plan on keeping both trucks as long as practically possible. At this age thay have -0- rust, the 350 has a couple ultra minor dings.. but no other body issues.. the 450 has -0- body issues. interior of the 350 is showing age, but not bad.. the 450 is minty.. prev owner used it to pull an rv and maintained it like a cruse ship..

baring something catastrophic.. I forsee years of use out of those trucks. If I find another 350 at a cheap price in good condition, I'll park it in the barn for when the wifes POS gm product finally has it's last heartbeat so she can have a real truck..

I have been considering lately if I should sell my 05 F150 STX 4wd and go back to a more simple truck. I like basic! My first truck was a 94 F150 5speed with a straight six. That truck was bullet proof. It wasnt rust proof though...

The trucks Im considering are the 93-97 250s and 350s. The truck is not a daily driver It would just be used to haul trailers and highway road trips back and forth to PA form NC.

I was thinking I could sell my truck for 10 or 12 thousand and maybe pick up a used 250 or 350 in the 6K-9K range. Anyone advise me away form this>? I like when trucks were trucks and not grocery getters.


thanks,