1993 Ford F150 with 302 engine and 4x4.

[M1Accord]

Is this a good vehicle to buy used? I am looking at one with a little over 200k miles. The owner claims that both engine and automatic transmission were rebuilt recently. He doesn't have the paperwork for the engine but has receipt for the transmission.

Let's say, in worst case scenario, neither engine nor transmission were rebuilt, how tough are these components for this year. I heard the 302 Ford gets about 15-16 mpg highway and around 10 mpg city. Does that sounds about right? Anything I should look for in this vehicle.

The vehicle looks very nice from the picture and the asking price is $1500. This will be my first truck and first 4x4. I am really looking forward to own a piece of America.

 

[addyguy]

That's an old truck, with a lot of mileage on it, and a lot of 'unknowns'.

302's are tough engines.

Truck that old, rust will be an issue.

 

[M1Accord]

VA don't get much snow and most vehicles in VA don't get rust. My buddy 86 Chevy 1500 Scottdale has close to 300k miles with no problem and originally transmission, engine, brake rotor, and basically everything except pads and exhaust.

 

[tomcat27]

remember, its 16 years old! with alot of miles! do you like to work on cars? actually, $1500 for a 4x4 in runable condition is pretty good - but I would never recommend it to someone that isn't a DIY. of course, any car/truck in that price range is a gamble. so, enjoy and I hope you have good luck with it!

 

[soldierman]

Originally Posted By: M1Accord
I heard the 302 Ford gets about 15-16 mpg highway and around 10 mpg city. Does that sounds about right?



I've got an 86 thats in really good shape. Its geared 4.10 with normal size tires. (Intersate driving really winds it up) I can do 15 on a good day but no more. Tail wind or not. 4.10's are low enough with 31x10.50 tires that even on steep mountains I still have to give it throttle to maintain speed downhill if unloaded.

 

[M1Accord]

Originally Posted By: tomcat27
remember, its 16 years old! with alot of miles! do you like to work on cars? actually, $1500 for a 4x4 in runable condition is pretty good - but I would never recommend it to someone that isn't a DIY. of course, any car/truck in that price range is a gamble. so, enjoy and I hope you have good luck with it!


I enjoy working on cars but I don't know a lot simply because my two personal vehicles have been very realiable. The seller has receipt for the transmission rebuilt done 10k miles ago. The engine rebuild was done 60k miles ago. The tires are 33 so I know gas mileage will probably be around 14-15 highway, which is what this vehilce will see from mostly me. I have my Corolla with 32-36 mpg for city runabout. This truck should be a good vehicle to get me start into truck ownership and maintenance. I like to have some kind of side business and having a truck would help.

The 4x4 is a big plus as we do have some snow here and I want to be able to go places if need to as well as taking vacations without worrying about weather or road condition. I do want to take a vacation to Florida and this would be a great vehicle to do so as I can sleep in the bed instead of having to get hotel.

 

[01rangerxl]

I wouldn't worry too much about the engine. 302s are tough. The trans is another matter. If it is an automatic, it should be an E4OD. The E4OD is not known for reliability, and it is not surprising it has been rebuilt.

 

[The_Jeff]

If you can skip the 4wd do it. Makes repairs and maintenance much harder. Don't kid yourself that the annual trip to home depot will pay for the truck.

I had a 4x4 300-6 and manual trans, and got 18 MPG with regular passenger tires, and 3.2 gears.

Look at all the brackets, like where the radius arms meet the frame, and under the radiator at its support for rust.

Beware this thing could become a big hole in your driveway that you just shovel money into if you're the picky sort.

 

[Kestas]

I too will ask, do you like to work on cars?

200K miles is more a statement of the owner than anything else... that he isn't put off by the repairs needed to keep the truck on the road. A sixth brake job or fourth exhaust system, or going on a third alternator and starter doesn't bother an owner like that.

 

[M1Accord]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
I too will ask, do you like to work on cars?

200K miles is more a statement of the owner than anything else... that he isn't put off by the repairs needed to keep the truck on the road. A sixth brake job or fourth exhaust system, or going on a third alternator and starter doesn't bother an owner like that.


I am a little confused about your statement. Are you saying that the high mileage is an indication that previous owner(s) have done the jobs to keep it on the roads; therefore, more care must have been given to the vehicle?

The owner claims that transmission was rebuilt 10k miles ago and engine was rebuilt 60k miles ago but he only has receipt for the transmission work. That is understandable since the engine rebuild was done a long time ago.

There is one concern regarding the title. I asked if he has the title and he stated that Alltel sent him a title to his Blackberry. I never heard of e-title, especially in Virginia. Also, if the person owns the vehicle outright, why should any other company has access to the title. Finally, Alltel is a phone company so I am not sure what business it has with car title. I inquired about how I would be able to transfer ownership if I can't have his title in hand for the DMV and he hasn't gotten back to me. It is strange and I don't want to end up buying a car from a person that actually not the owner. In VA, the driver of the vehicle, which may be registered to this person, does not need to be the owner and no paperwork is needed beside driver license to register a car. I know this because I have a car registered to my wife and the title is in my name. In fact, I registered the car for her without the title or her paperwork. The only thing DMV cares for was that I paid the fee and it is insured.

 

[Johnny]

If he does not have an official paper title in his name that would be the end of discussion for me. No title, no truck.

 

[The_Jeff]

Some states don't title vehicles older than 10-15 years. Maine is 15. FIND OUT THOUGH.

 

[brianl703]

Virginia definitely titles vehicles older than 15 years.

 

[Cup of Joe]

You could be talking about my truck if I was selling it and lived in VA. I have a 93 V8 4x4 with 175k miles. Not much work needing to be done here. I did break my transfer case shifter and I still need to replace it otherwise just some wear and tear items. Brakes, shocks, alternator, new tires about 1-2 years ago. Only actual repair that had to be done was a coolant sensor and idle control valve otherwise if I didn't break it, it has not needed repair. I still have the same old serpentine belt on it that needed to be replace 5 years ago.

I've used mine to tow trailers including but not limited to a 10k lb dump trailer full of dirt across some heavily rutted ground. I needed several trips to move it all. I've also filled the bed with 3k lbs of sand when putting in culverts, several trips then as well. You would be surprised what 3k lbs does to the back of a 1/2 ton.