Re: Opinions on late model F-150 Shortbed Reg Cabs?

Before I bought my '98 F150 Xtra Cab 5.4L 2wd, I drove a few different later model standard cab v-6 and v-8 trucks. In my opinion, the standard cab was ok...just needed more room for my big ass...the v-6 5 speed combo was a huge turd. I thought it was WAY underpowered almost as bad as the v-6 automatic. For my money either a 4.6L or 5.4L. Later... Grant Speed Kills...Drive a Honda, live forever...

I agree about the 5.4, loved it. Now I have a V-10, love it too. But my wife is interested in the smaller fullsize truck. We only have the one Tatonka Blanca and she is used to sitting up high and having a truck. Until I finish my Jeep build, we only have the one vehicle and she likes the smaller F-150. I don't think she is too worried about horsepower, she won't be pulling the big cattle trailer.

I have a '97 F150 XLT SB,reg cab,short box with the 4.6V8. Seems to be the ideal truck for me, though 4WD would be nice about 4 months of the year. It's roomy and peppy,yet easy to drive. Almost used to the short box,never use the 6 pack CD player(original Ford item).I really like the PW,PDL,etc... I had wanted the extended cab/sb combo for more 'safe' storage/room inside as I'm 6'4" but the reg cab has plenty for me.3rd Ford PU for me,best one yet ! Added remote start which is real handy ! fwiw jay

I've been driving a '97 F-150 XLT regular cab short bed since I bought it new in January '97. Absolutely great truck for my purposes. No complaints at all.

I've got the 4.6 V8 & highly recommend it. Everything I've ever read about the 6 cylinder engine is bad, compared to the V8's.

Why?

Why?

Where?

We don't really need another 4x4, and with my V-10 we don't really need another eight cylinders. I think we are looking for SOME economy at least. The Ranger is too small. Plus this truck won't be a daily driver, we commute to town together, but there have been times we have needed two vehicles, like soccer season or when I'm off spelunking, and our beater ranch truck is not road worthy.

I also noticed an ad this a.m. during Texas Country Reporter:

0% & $199 a month on some model new trucks. Unfortunately our budget is just a few bucks shy of $199.

I did an Autotrader search on Ford PreOwned certified vehicles and found a couple that looked promising. One was a 4.2L automatic stepside. She liked this one. My wife needs an auto because of a leg injury from years ago, she can use the clutch, but she doesn't like to.

The 4.2 is a dog, and it's not very reliable. They may have worked the bugs out of it by know, I haven't seen too many posts about it recently. But I know it's had tons of problems in the past. Plus you'll get better mileage with the 4.6L V-8 than with the 4.2L V-6 or even the Ranger with the 4.0L V-6.

They'll jump at a lowball offer on the aforementioned truck because it is a very unpopular configuration, particularly with the 5-speed. If they have one there like this they know they'll have trouble selling it. Nothing wrong with it, just most people don't know what to do with three pedals on the floor anymore. By the time September rolls around it's a leftover, so they'll be a pile of cash sitting on the hood to get people to look at it.

There's tons of info on the door cracks at websites like

et. al.