1988 F150 2wd longbed

[racsan]

Considering checking this out, dont know much about it, Belongs to a woman I used to work with. AOD transmission, cruise control, a/c (doesnt work though) seat doesnt look tore up, some rear wheelwell rust but not horrible for a 88. Might be a decent buy. Id guess a 300 or 302 but a 351 could be possible. Worst thing I see from the pictures is the drivers side rocker panel & back cab corner.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Id jump on it.

The bricks get alot of hate but they are just as good as the 92-96 trucks. They carry IMO the best looking dash layout of any ford truck built ever.

The AOD isnt the best trans in the world but as long as you arnt towing massive shit all the time it should be fine. It also never seen duty behind the 351. So if its an AOD its for sure a 300/302

The 300/302/351 are all great engines reliabilty wise. Personally the 302 has always been a turn off to me in trucks, dont tow as good as a 300 but get about the same mpg as a 351. But for a driver i wouldnt turn down a 302

Either way, id grab it.

 

[ericbphoto]

Those pictures bring back memories. I had an 88 Fun50, 4x4, single cab, long bed, 302, 5 spd, manual transfer case, manual hubs. Base model, brown with tan interior. Best truck I ever owned.

 

[Roert42]

I don't think the 300 had a timing chain. Just timing gears.

Although the add mentions timing gears and chain, I don't think you can have both, but I suspect they are just talking about the sprockets.

So probably not a 300

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I don't think the 300 had a timing chain. Just timing gears.

Although the add mentions timing gears and chain, I don't think you can have both, but I suspect they are just talking about the sprockets.

So probably not a 300

I didnt read the ad lol.

Yes the 300 had gears, and by the shift pattern its an AOD truck. So itll be a 302.

Thats kinda what ive been looking for if i sell my 250 at some point. A decent bricknose 1/2ton. 2500 is about going rate in that condition.

Id want a 300, manual, and 4wd though in that order of importance.

Maybe a 351.

 

[racsan]

I wondered about that (timing gears vs chain) Been too long since Ive been around a 300. When I worked at the boat dealership back in the late ‘80’s my boss bought a brand new ‘88 f150, it was a red reg cab longbed, 351/C6, 3.55’s 4x4. Had a color-matched cap, cab lights , chrome spoke wheels and chrome grille guard. I think the biggest thing with towing and a o/d auto is to not use o/d when towing. I dont know if this truck has a hitch or not but suspect it could since the woman had horses. (although if it was me Id have a 3/4 ton just for the better brakes if moving horses) Will have to check it out, its about 30 miles from me. Supposed to rain all day so I guess I will spend today in the garage putting a new exhaust on the ranger.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I wondered about that (timing gears vs chain) Been too long since Ive been around a 300. When I worked at the boat dealership back in the late ‘80’s my boss bought a brand new ‘88 f150, it was a red reg cab longbed, 351/C6, 3.55’s 4x4. Had a color-matched cap, cab lights , chrome spoke wheels and chrome grille guard. I think the biggest thing with towing and a o/d auto is to not use o/d when towing. I dont know if this truck has a hitch or not but suspect it could since the woman had horses. (although if it was me Id have a 3/4 ton just for the better brakes if moving horses) Will have to check it out, its about 30 miles from me. Supposed to rain all day so I guess I will spend today in the garage putting a new exhaust on the ranger.

Meh, 2 horse trailers arnt a big deal to pull. I had a 79 F150 with manual brakes and no trailer brakes and it stopped fine.

I personally think its a decent truck based on the pics lol

 

[Shran]

Umm the rocker panel... Is the whole floor missing?????

 

[snoranger]

Umm the rocker panel... Is the whole floor missing?????

Yeah… that looks like it may have a little extra bounce in the seat. Most likely in the left rear corner.

 

[Josh B]

The things I think about when looking at vehicle ads, especially if I'm looking to buy, is first and foremost, how long has it been advertised for sale. Usually the first one who will get there is a dealer, unless you can manage to beat them to it, and unless you do, there are two things I believe for sure, but the second one only matters at that point, if they looked and didn't buy it, you might should think twice about buying it also

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Umm the rocker panel... Is the whole floor missing?????

Doubt it. Probably just the inside cab corner

 

[4x4prepper]

To me it looks like the truck is bowed in the middle. Attaching a picture of my truck I have been working at for 18 months, this is a before picture. See how the cab and bed line up at the bottom?

The truck you are looking at has a replacement hood, probably from a front end collision, the frame may be bent or the body tweaked. or the bed overloaded and broken. There is a big gap at the bottom of the driver's door that should not be there.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

To me it looks like the truck is bowed in the middle. Attaching a picture of my truck I have been working at for 18 months, this is a before picture. See how the cab and bed line up at the bottom?

The truck you are looking at has a replacement hood, probably from a front end collision, the frame may be bent or the body tweaked. or the bed overloaded and broken. There is a big gap at the bottom of the driver's door that should not be there.

View attachment 85718

Pretty sure thats just a bad door pin/bushing causing door sag

 

[Josh B]

If you'll look at both sides of that door you'll see it is wedged in to the top and very loose at the bottom. I'm thinking the "sag comment may well be correct" ....Commercial door man

 

[racsan]

Ive yet to see it in person. The aod worries me more than anything, not fords best automatic. I did see where I could get a gearstar automatic aod , hopefully with updates. Not needing to pull a 8,000# camper and I know enough to not use o/d when towing. A C6 I wouldnt bat a eye at.