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Trucks that I've owned:
95 2.3L/5spd
00 3.0/Auto ---> converted to manual
01 2.3L Duratec/5 spd
I know you're focused on earlier trucks, but those might be difficult to find in decent shape, and in my opinion you'd get a nicer driving truck by looking a few years newer.
98+ regular cabs got:
- Slightly longer cabs provide a bit more legroom (I'm 6'1" and the extra 2-3" is a big deal)
- SLA front suspension (superior geometry that rides better and is easier to work on)
- rack and pinion steering (lighter, simpler and better feel than a box)
- Larger disc brakes in many cases
If you prefer the Lima engines, 98-01 got a displacement bump to 2.5L. Personally I'm a big fan of the 01+ Duratec 2.3L though. They're super efficient, clean, and have been very reliable. My 01 truck returned 30mpg highway in the warm months, and 26ish in the cold months.
An early 90s truck is going to be ~30 years old now. Wiring, sensors, fluids, gaskets, rubber seals on the body, etc are all going to be old and finnicky even if they still work. For a daily driver that's supposed to be comfortable to use and not a headache to live with, I'd choose 01+ duratec/5spd trucks all day, every day over the options you mentioned.
95 2.3L/5spd
00 3.0/Auto ---> converted to manual
01 2.3L Duratec/5 spd
I know you're focused on earlier trucks, but those might be difficult to find in decent shape, and in my opinion you'd get a nicer driving truck by looking a few years newer.
98+ regular cabs got:
- Slightly longer cabs provide a bit more legroom (I'm 6'1" and the extra 2-3" is a big deal)
- SLA front suspension (superior geometry that rides better and is easier to work on)
- rack and pinion steering (lighter, simpler and better feel than a box)
- Larger disc brakes in many cases
If you prefer the Lima engines, 98-01 got a displacement bump to 2.5L. Personally I'm a big fan of the 01+ Duratec 2.3L though. They're super efficient, clean, and have been very reliable. My 01 truck returned 30mpg highway in the warm months, and 26ish in the cold months.
An early 90s truck is going to be ~30 years old now. Wiring, sensors, fluids, gaskets, rubber seals on the body, etc are all going to be old and finnicky even if they still work. For a daily driver that's supposed to be comfortable to use and not a headache to live with, I'd choose 01+ duratec/5spd trucks all day, every day over the options you mentioned.
