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04/06/09, 06:33 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Verndale MN
Posts: 1,130
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'91 F250? Opinions?
My '87 Ranger is getting ready to eat the clutch at 220k. So I'm looking for another truck, preferably with more guts, that can haul hay and goats.
My hay guy is selling his 91 F250 4 x4. This particular truck has been kept up 100% in every way so that's not an issue. I know it will be hard on gas. I just don't know anything about the reliability and "real world" preformance of the F250.
Would like to hear opinions of anyone who has owned/driven one.Thanks!
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04/06/09, 07:30 PM
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 7,689
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What engine and transmission and axle ratio? Stock size tires? Are you hauling big loads long distances at high speeds on freeway or is this local use farm truck?
__________________
"What would you do with a brain if you had one?" -Dorothy
"Well, then ignore what I have to say and go with what works for you." -Eliot Coleman
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04/06/09, 08:14 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Verndale MN
Posts: 1,130
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Engine is the 5.8 liter V8. I don't actually know the transmission- I usually drive a stick so it wasn't an issue. Guessing stock tires and all Ford parts, knowing how the current owner keeps his equipment.
the only time I'd be on a freeway at speed would be hauling a small horse trailer with maybe 1300 lbs of goats. Most trips would be local with a flatbed and a couple of round bales. And an occasional run to town to keep the gaskets soft and the spark clean 
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04/06/09, 09:56 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,662
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I'm driving a '97 F250, 4X4 short bed extended cab. It only gets about 12 mpg. We're managing right now with gas prices down (relatively speaking), but as they creep back up, that poor mpg is going to hurt again. (This is my only vehicle, so I can't just park it until I need the hauling capacity -- with insurance and everything else, it wouldn't be cost-effective for me to have two rigs.) Other than that, I like it, although it does have a very stiff suspension. Doesn't bother me, but when my grandmother is with me, it bothers her sometimes (she's 95, and a jarring bump really jars her).
Kathleen
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04/07/09, 11:21 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WNC.
Posts: 2,315
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If at all possible find a diesel truck of the same type....for hauling it will get better fuel economy(I get 20mpg with my Dodge 4x4 diesel) and the engines last a lot longer....longer than the rest of the truck... 
Also there should be a lot around for sale with so many construction workers no longer needing them.
I was offered $3000 trade in on my 1998 Dodge with 160,000 miles on it....so values are pretty low.
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04/07/09, 11:52 AM
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Murphy was an optimist ;)
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 21,064
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnaS
My '87 Ranger is getting ready to eat the clutch at 220k. So I'm looking for another truck, preferably with more guts, that can haul hay and goats.
My hay guy is selling his 91 F250 4 x4. This particular truck has been kept up 100% in every way so that's not an issue. I know it will be hard on gas. I just don't know anything about the reliability and "real world" preformance of the F250.
Would like to hear opinions of anyone who has owned/driven one.Thanks!
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I have a 89 F250 and love it to pieces. They are very solid dependable trucks. Yep, rough on gas but very strong and durable.
__________________
"Nothing so needs reforming as other peoples habits." Mark Twain
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04/07/09, 11:54 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnaS
My '87 Ranger is getting ready to eat the clutch at 220k. So I'm looking for another truck, preferably with more guts, that can haul hay and goats.
My hay guy is selling his 91 F250 4 x4. This particular truck has been kept up 100% in every way so that's not an issue. I know it will be hard on gas. I just don't know anything about the reliability and "real world" preformance of the F250.
Would like to hear opinions of anyone who has owned/driven one.Thanks!
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Ford makes a great "rig" all around, not exactly an economy ride but this truck will be great for general use!!
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04/07/09, 02:32 PM
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Max
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Near Traverse City Michigan
Posts: 6,560
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I have a 97, and I love it.
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04/07/09, 03:07 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Northern Wisconsin
Posts: 799
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I had an 88 F250. It was a money pit after it hit 140,000 miles. (fuel pumps, computer, gas tank, alternator, exhaust system, etc etc etc). It caught on fire and almost burnt down my newly built garage. If it hadn't been next to my garage, I would have let the thing burn.
Unfortunately, there aren't any cliffs around here. I would have taken great satisfaction in pushing it over a cliff and seeing it smashed to smithereens.
Oh yes. They will pass every thing on the road but a gas station.
Ford. The reason I now drive a Toyota.
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04/07/09, 05:41 PM
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: PA
Posts: 845
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Quote:
Originally Posted by michiganfarmer
I have a 97, and I love it.
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We have a 97 also, extended cab with an 8 foot bed. Great truck for towing and I don't think gas is all that bad. It has dual tanks and it take about $70.00 to fill both tanks and that lasts us a couple weeks. I LOVE MY TRUCK. 
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04/07/09, 06:09 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whiskey Flats(Ft. Worth) , Tx
Posts: 8,707
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...............I'll be in the market for a dodge dually , in a year or so , probablly a 1998 up thru a 2004 or so . I'd owned both fords and dodges but the 5.9 cummins is bullit proof when maintained , I just wish it was in a ford body . , fordy 
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04/07/09, 07:03 PM
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 266
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Our '93 F250 gets 8mpg, is well-tuned and maintained. We love it's power, towing capacity, etc. but really HATE the gas mileage. It's a good heavy-duty vehicle, but I'm trying to talk DH into trading it for a high mpg Nissan, Toyota, etc.
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04/07/09, 09:23 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Verndale MN
Posts: 1,130
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Thanks everyone!
Okay, this is my punishment for asking his wife for the specs... I drove it today. It's actually an 1985 F-150, 102k, auto, RWD, with the classic 302 4.9 V-8- carb, not fuel injected. AC and CC are inop, crank windows and a nice aftermarket radio/cassette. Tow capacity is 3,750, according to manual, since he also has all the original manuals and a shoebox full of repair/maintanance receipts. Interior is a little rough, it is a farm truck. Exterior really nice for the age.
Drove out tight and strong, stopped hard and straight, no bounce. Just as honest of an old truck as you could want. Plus it has the dimmer switch on the floor which is the coolest thing ever.
I bought it. We're doing the title switch on Friday. 
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04/08/09, 07:05 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: East TN
Posts: 6,977
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You are much better off that it is an 85 instead of a 91. Ford didn't gain anything but expense when they went to fuel injection. A carb'd Ford truck is OK, I run from the injected models of the late 80's into the 90's. Hoop's experience is on the money. The later ones have so many issues they can nickel and dime you to death.
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"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self confidence"
Robert Frost
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04/08/09, 07:31 AM
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 7,689
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beeman
You are much better off that it is an 85 instead of a 91. Ford didn't gain anything but expense when they went to fuel injection. A carb'd Ford truck is OK, I run from the injected models of the late 80's into the 90's. Hoop's experience is on the money. The later ones have so many issues they can nickel and dime you to death.
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That era carb engines had the notorious computer controlled feedback carburetors. All the complications/expense of fuel injection, all the limitations of a carburetor. The best you can say is that being a carb it was easy to replace the carb and distributor with earlier non-computerized versions. And being this old, that may have already been done.
__________________
"What would you do with a brain if you had one?" -Dorothy
"Well, then ignore what I have to say and go with what works for you." -Eliot Coleman
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04/10/09, 09:47 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Verndale MN
Posts: 1,130
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Picked it up today & did the title transfer. It is sure nice! The engine is really really quiet. The automatic will take some getting used to. I've been driving sticks for years and I keep trying to make it go with one foot on the brake and one on the gas, or pawing for the gearshift at a green light.
Brought this F-150 home and it was too nice to haul trash to the dump, so took the Ranger. Of course, the Ranger clutch went on the way home. Nice timing.
The floor dimmer switch is the BEST. Why did they ever get rid of it? It seems more natural than pulling the headlight stalk.
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04/10/09, 10:02 PM
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Cactus Farmer/Cat Rancher
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 1,974
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Ford kept the floor dimmer all the way up until 97 on the boxy style F-series. I think they switched them over because crud from your boot tends to get into the switch and wreck it after a while. I have owned Full-sized Ford pickups ranging from a 63 all the way up to an 89 and they were all very reliable. I didn't start out a Ford guy but by golly those old full-sized beast seem to be the most reliable things I have owned. And they are about the cheapest things to buy parts for too.
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04/11/09, 07:47 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: northern Missouri
Posts: 287
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Congrats on getting the Ford. She sounds like a good truck!! I love to hear about people buying AMERICAN MADE
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04/11/09, 11:24 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Verndale MN
Posts: 1,130
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Phil, that makes sense about the dimmer. i'll have to keep my boots clean
Anderson Farms, it's not only American made, but i ran the VIN last night and it was built in St Paul MN. so it's Minnesota made too.
I took a picture:
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04/11/09, 10:26 PM
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Cactus Farmer/Cat Rancher
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 1,974
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Looks like a Gem. If it is anything like my old 77 F-100 that old truck will last you a long time.
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