having owned both a chevy and 2 ford trucks and having quite a few friends with older chevys, i wouldnt get another chevy. my ford had stellar reliability compared to what they were always putting up with. they chevy we have now can pull (and thats cause it has a 454 with a 4.11 rear end), but it always has annoying stuff wrong with it.
96 was a good year for F150's. the 351 is strong but is known for sucking gas. i can attest to that b.c mine got about 8 miles per gallon, even with an intake and true duals (was lifted 5.5 inches with 33" super swampers though).
maybe shoot for the f250 and get the powerstroke.
