Hello guys.

New to the forums. Great wealth of information here. I wanted to ask you guys. I am in the market looking for a decent used truck. Mainly for pulling a 19 foot boat and heading to the OBX for a weekend. I've been looking at some full size trucks and came across one that looked good. Heres what he has listed

Ford F150 XLT LARIAT -1989
124K Miles
5.0 - Fuel Injected
Extended Cab
Rear sliding windows
Long Bed w/Bed Liner
Four-Wheel Drive
Towing Package w/ hitch
Large Camper Shell
Captains Chairs in Front
Convertible Bench Seat in Back
Cruise Control
Air Conditioning
AM/FM Radio/ CD Player
New Exhaust


He's asking $3200 for this truck. Do you guys feel he's asking too much?

I haven't seen it yet but this pictures of it look fantastic. Really well kept for a 1989.


Also I know for a fact that the 4.9 straight 6 is a stout motor and will run until Jesus comes back but what about the 5.0 are these reliable motors?

 

3200 bucks seems a bit high, I mean...even pristine, it's nearly 20 years old.

The I6 is actually a better towing motor because of it's big time torque production. That said the 302 is Ford's heart and soul, and was stuffed into damn near everything they could fit it into. It's reliable, simple and parts aren't too expensive. Keep up on service and it should run long after the mounts have rusted out and it's fallen out on the street.

All XLT Lariats had A/C and cloth captains chairs, with a vinyl bench seat in the back. I'd actually prefer a bench up front, but I'm a big fatty so that could just be me.

I rely on my 1990 every day (5.0, A4OD, Lariat XLT) and aside from a few hiccups it's always gotten me where I needed to go. If it was in anything close to good shape I'd have no reason to say it wouldn't be a fantastic truck.

Keep in mind though, it's getting old, and 3200 bucks inn't cheap. Check the rails and under the cab for rust so you don't end up on the street.

 

3200 is pretty high for an 89.....he should have every oil change documented for that price. I'd check it out, just make sure to get underneath it and look for rusted leaf spring shackles, rear brake/fuel lines, leaky gas tanks, etc. Mileage is nice and low, but see how much towing he has done with it, and look at that tranny fluid.
Good Luck and welcome to FTE!

 

That's what I figured. I felt that 3200 is asking alot. It does look good but I 'm not sure about 3200 good. Maybe he's gouging me for the camper shell.

I've read that the I6 was a better tow monster then the 302. But my boat isn't exactly all that heavy. Single axle trailer. I'd say it's 2500lbs - 3000lbs. BUT in the next 5-10 years I'd like to sell this boat and go bigger.

Have you had your truck in the sand at all?

 

I just recently came back from a trip to Hatteras point , was a fun time , we went on the beach , first time my 4x4 since I got it 2 yrs ago, everything was great , just make sure you drop your pressure down to 20 psi for the trip on the beach there's gas station about 20 mins away from the beach , I let it out there and filled back up there.
Mike

 

I run 12-15 psi in the sand. Much better tread profile. I'm in the sand once or twice a month for hill climb challenges in and general sand dune hayhem. Keep that puppy in 4lo on the bw1356 and run circles around the brand new bowtie and mopar boys.

Keep the rig under 40mph (on pavement) at that level and you will keep the bead on your tire.

The 302 will handle a 2500-3000lb trailer just fine. If your boat and trailer weight begins to exceep 5000lbs, you are expecting a bit much from the weeny smallblock.

Have fun in the sand and keep your windows rolled up!!

Mike

 

actually not all xlt lariats had captains chairs. i have an 89 f-150 xlt lariat 4x4 long bed standard cab with the I6 "Best Motor" and a 5 speed. unless your talking about ext cabs. mine has a cloth bench with a fold down middle armrest which is awesome but should have cup holders....none in the truck.....hmm that just gave me a new project! haha

 

also look at the radius arm bushings in the front!! if those are cracked then drop the price. just do a look over and try every function, ac/ heat/ cruise control, windows, locks, radio!, 4x4 in hi and low. also like someone else said check the brake lines and fuel lines for rust/rot and also check all bushings, shocks, springs, floors and so on. it does seem a little high but do a look around and if you don't feel comfortable doing it then bring it to a shop and have them go through it like checking the brakes, fuel system, charging system and so on

 

The first thing you need to find out is what gearing is in it. Even with 3.55 this truck is severly underpowered. How do I know? My XLT Lariat started life with a stock 5.0 in it. How bad? It won't maintain hwy speed into a headwind without constantly droppng out of OD. Any grade at all requires more downshifting. That's empty hauling nothing but the driver and a tank of gas around. There's lots you can do to improve the engine performance without breaking the bank, just spend some time reading on these pages, but... in my humble opinion, don't even look at this thing if the gearing is anything numerically less than 3.55.

 

As always... well put Paul. Can't disagree with him at all, especially since you know for sure what you will be towing and where. I'd push it even further and say that 3.73 and above... or no dice on a stock 5.0.

 

$3200 is too much anyway. Somebody's a little too in love with their truck. Find one with a six in it, it'll out pull the 302 with two plug wires pulled.

 

I think 302s are reliable 3200 maybe a bit much hard to say would have to look at it first

 

Thanks everyone for all of the information.

I've asked the guy to come down on his price but he feels that $3200 is a steal and will not come down at all.

He gave me #'s off of the KBB ~ 3110 and NADA which came out to 3700.


I think I'm going to hold out and look for a stout extended cab 4x4 straight 6. I think this kind of truck would be what I need to pull the boat and drive the OBX when needed.

Most trucks I find like this have really high miles 160k+. I wonder if it be worth it to pick one up cheap and throw a new Jasper rebuild into it?

 

No one said this...but ALWAYS check the tranny fluid...and I don't mean look at it.....touch it..rub it between your fingertips..there shouldn't be much grit if any and smell it.....even if it FEELS clean smell it...you'll know burnt tranny fluid when you smell it.I agree about the gearing...my truck's former axle had 3.30's in it..I swapped it for an axle with 3.55's and a posi...boy did it come alive......that 78 ford with the 400 and a bunch of crap and truck parts in the bed uphill in the woods?nooo problem.Your gearing will make all the difference..there should be a metal tag on the diff it'll give something like 3 55 or 3 73......300-6 is an excellent motor...I've outpulled 5.4's with my former truck......for giddyup n a wider range of goodies go for the 302...I love mine.

 

i got mine 4 600.00 is underpowered with 302 but reliable had a bad o2 and coolant sensor just upkeep with 20 yr old parts but put 35000 miles with about 1300 investment