Vehicle Description
Big jobs need big trucks, and it was right about the time that this
1996 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 was built that these trucks really
started to take off and dominate the market for Ford. With 5.8L V8
power, a stylish, styleside short bed that'll carry anything, and a
gorgeous extended cab interior that's in great condition, this
affordable Ford 4x4 truck with is on the cusp of "modern classic"
status and can be driven and enjoyed across the country with nary a
worry. And with a rare 'RV Special Package' both inside and out,
it's a uniquely good-looking truck with loads of period-perfect
curb appeal.
The big, squared-off style of the '90s F-series works particularly
well with two-tone paint, especially a grown-up color combination
like Light Saddle Metallic over Light Brown Metallic. Crisply
rendered and very butch, this rig looks like it could pull an ocean
liner out of the water, or pull up to the valet at a Michelin Star
restaurant and not be escorted to the loading dock. That's factory
paint, right down to the swooping black 'V' pinstripe work that
plays the role of demarcation between the contrasting shades, and
it's extremely well-maintained for being 25 years old (yes, 25).
Sure, it's not perfect, but for the mileage it's very impressive
and only shows minor signs of use, and a proper buff-and-wax could
really bring it up a notch or two and get people talking about what
an amazing truck you found. The big chrome grille, oversized
mirrors, paint-matched long step bars, bed rails, and, even the
toolbox add to the rugged feel, although you'll ultimately discover
that this pickup is pretty darned civilized. The bed has been used
but not abused, and we'd recommend a spray-in or drop-in bedliner
to maintain it's mostly dent-free appearance. It has lived its
entire life in Texas with just two owners, both of whom took great
care of the truck and because it lived down South, there are no
critical structural issues to worry about on the body or anywhere
underneath. Get in and put it to work!
Inside, the original Mocha cloth stock cabin was updated with fresh
tan vinyl upholstery on the buckets and a wide center console up
front, and they do a great job to match the rear bench. The
upholstery is in great condition and the big cab feels downright
spacious, even with the mini bench in back. Original carpets are
still in good shape thanks to matching vinyl floormats that protect
them, as are the matching door panels, taut color-keyed headliner,
and the wide dash area that is very clean and only has on small
hairline crack to speak of. For a leisure-themed hauler like this,
you're going to want options, and they come via Ford's Preferred
Equipment Package: cold A/C, power windows and locks, electric
mirrors, cruise control, ABS brakes, driver's side airbag, and a
tilt steering column. Even the original AM/FM/cassette stereo and
clock head unit is still in the dash, as are all the original A/C
controls. Big, bright gauges offer a comprehensive view of the
engine's condition and with 192,815 original miles, you guys
familiar with these trucks understand that this one still has a
long life ahead of it. A giant rear window is a nice feature,
giving the cab a fishbowl feel, and we have to say that climbing in
this truck feels like coming home; who didn't have an F-Series back
in the '90s?
Ford's venerable 5.8L cubic inch V8 was built with trucks like this
in mind. With modern EFI on top, it's a torque factory and shrugs
off the biggest loads you can put behind it. The big low-RPM engine
isn't stressed, so it will run practically forever and despite a
number of modifications available for these trucks, this one
remains bone stock, from the twin intake snorkels to the original
catalytic converter on the factory exhaust. It's very tidy but not
overly detailed under the hood, but just being pretty isn't this
truck's only job, it can put the work in too. Ford's tough
electronic 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission offers good
gearing to make the most of the small block's torque curve and a
tall overdrive that turns highway hauls into relaxing road trips.
Optional equipment also gives this 4x4 the off-road package that
was so popular back then, with factory skid plates, an enhanced
handling package, manual locking front hubs, and a limited slip
front/rear axles that all help this Ford's trail credentials. Clean
Southern living is most visible underneath, where it's extremely
clean and well-preserved, from the Twin-I-Beam front suspension to
the gigantic rear end, which has 3.55 factory gears inside. It's
stanced exactly how it left the factory and sits on factory forged
aluminum wheels wrapped in 31x10.50x15 Starfire white-letter truck
radials.
If you've priced this generation F-series trucks lately, you know
these pickups are really gaining steam. Offered with its original
window sticker and all of its original manuals, this stylish 4x4
Ford is still ready to work, still handsome, and still comfortable,
and it represents a great deal of practicality for not a lot of
cash. Call today!
