'96 and OLDER F150/250 with a 300-6 or 302/351 V8: if you can find one with a C6 (3-speed) it is probably the most reliable automatic transmission out there.
The older 4-speed (granny 1st gear) is much more robust and a better manual transmission than the 5-speed Aisin (? spelin'?) but the HD manual 5-speed is even better.
Probably can find a F250 for about the same price as a F150 because MOST people are more interested in gas mileage. If you really want a cheap ("less expensive"?) used truck that can last 20-30 years the Ford (pre-1997!) is The One, IMHO.
Cheers!
p.s. I had a Ford Courier (Mazda 1.8, actually) a Jeep Comanche 4WD, and then started off with a BRAND NEW 1991 F150SC (2WD s/b, 300-6 & 5-speed for $9999 out the door), followed by a 1996 F150SC (2WD s/b, 351/E4OD) and have enjoyed the current beast for a decade, now.
The older 4-speed (granny 1st gear) is much more robust and a better manual transmission than the 5-speed Aisin (? spelin'?) but the HD manual 5-speed is even better.
Probably can find a F250 for about the same price as a F150 because MOST people are more interested in gas mileage. If you really want a cheap ("less expensive"?) used truck that can last 20-30 years the Ford (pre-1997!) is The One, IMHO.
Cheers!
p.s. I had a Ford Courier (Mazda 1.8, actually) a Jeep Comanche 4WD, and then started off with a BRAND NEW 1991 F150SC (2WD s/b, 300-6 & 5-speed for $9999 out the door), followed by a 1996 F150SC (2WD s/b, 351/E4OD) and have enjoyed the current beast for a decade, now.