I like the pre-97 trucks better. The 96 that you are looking at will still have either the 300 6-cyl, or the 302 v8, or the 351 v8. I like the Windsor, small block V8's in those better then the 4.6/5.4 engines found in the 97-up f150. You can use a lot of Mustang bolt on, go-fast parts on the pre-97 trucks. I knew a guy who had a 95 Eddie Bauer with a 302 with a few mods in it that would kill most stock GT Mustangs all day long, and he still had room for the kids, and could tow his boat!
