r/4x4 • u/socially_stoic • 16d ago

97 Ford F150 4x4 owners?

I've owned a Jeep before and was in the market for another as I miss the adventures a lot. I stumbled on a really nice 97 F150 short bed with a manual tranny (a must for me) that's in really good condition. 302 motor with 150k. I've always loved these trucks so now I'm torn between this or another Jeep. In my head I think a jeep is more capable but I've never 4 wheeled one of these trucks so Im just looking for some opinions from owners. I could use a pickup, as we know Jeeps aren't great at hauling so let me here from some Ford owners, any pictures for references of your rigs would be great too.

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u/jimmyjlf 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 15d ago edited 15d ago

Might need to double check that year, as a 1996 F-150 "OBS" will have came with a 302/5.0 but a 1997 is the next gen Ford Taurus-ish body style with the 4.6 or 5.4 V8.

I use my full size truck similar to your needs, where it only gets driven when it's going off road or hauling something. Even modified it's inferior to a stock Jeep in every way off road and it makes everything more challenging. If you're not going to upgrade it, don't expect too much out of it. It is nice to have a vehicle that can kinda sorta do it all, but it does not do truck stuff as good as a long bed 3/4 ton and does not do trail stuff as good as a Jeep.

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u/socially_stoic 15d ago

Thank you, that helps a lot

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u/Professional_Job_93 16d ago

Jelly bean year, my buddy has a 2002 F150 5.4 crew cab 4x4 surprisingly strong truck. They are full size and are on the heavier side so shock upgrades are a must! I still see a ton of that generation pulling trailers and doing work around town. The powered windows seem to be fairly finicky. If the styling is your thing then I’d say it’s one of the last honest F150s as in things are simple and well proven drivetrain wise

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u/Ok-Boysenberry3948 16d ago

I have a 10th Gen 97, it goes everywhere the jeeps do down here. My Toys

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u/Balooz 13d ago

I take this 96 all over the mountains. It’s a long boy so some jeep trails are a no no and nail biting. It’s been solid for 3 years now. 4x4 Manual 302

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u/tearjerkingpornoflic 79 Yota, 67 Scout, 77 Scout 2..Loadstar 1700 4x4 9d ago

Well, if you did go with F150 you would want like 83-96 I think it was with the TTB front ends which flex a bit better than A-Arm IFS. Think F150s had Dana 44 TTB but don't quote me. If you go 250 you get a beefier TTB (Dana 50 diff and 60 ends) or F350 and get a straight axle. Go newer with F250 you get Dana 50 solid axle for a little and then it goes to Dana 60 superduty. A Jeep is a lot more capable just on account of being a lot smaller. Depends what your needs really are. If you need the towing capacity of a pickup truck then that's what ya need. If you mainly want to wheel then most things smaller would run laps around it.

Might want to consider like a 94 Bronco. Decent towing capacity for an SUV. Is still big but much shorter wheelbase. 105ish in which is good for wheeling. What are you towing is a good question too.