There’s a peculiar occurrence unfolding. Over the recent months, a number of trucks from my past ownership have surfaced on Facebook Marketplace. While I remained unaffected by the others on sale, I find myself intrigued now. What you see here is the very first vehicle I ever possessed: a 1996 Ford F-250 equipped with the formidable 7.3-liter Power Stroke diesel engine. Oh, the memories.
To give you some context on the remarkable nature of this truck (which seems to have persisted to this day), my high school car buddies still fondly remember it. Despite not owning it since the age of 17 and having gone through numerous trucks thereafter, this is the one that left a lasting impression. It was my signature ride.
Fortunately, my folks purchased it for me—these were way more affordable back then—and it’s what got me into 4x4s. When I acquired it, my spouse and I had just commenced seeing each other, so numerous of our early recollections together were created in this vehicle. Being quite foolish, I ended up selling it after a couple of years because I desired a car. That car happened to be a faulty VW Corrado with the VR6 engine that overheated every time I took it for a spin. Smart? Definitely not.
Anyway, I hadn’t even laid eyes on the Old Body Style Ford since selling it. A pal of mine mentioned spotting it a year or two ago, approximately an hour away, but I doubted the likelihood. Then at 5 o’clock this morning, another buddy forwarded me the advertisement. Lo and behold, this is it, roughly an hour from my residence. Some unique characteristics still persist, confirming that this is without a doubt my former pickup truck.
Initially, there’s the side-exit exhaust. Quite common on an aged diesel,I comprehend your point, however, there’s further corroborating proof. These are the identical wheels it has possessed for years, and I recall diligently shining them before each local car gathering—that rear-passenger wheel consistently sported a bit of residue from the straight pipe. I distinctly remember affixing that “Old But Sexy” decal on the rear window because, being the grandson of a clergyman, it felt daring to showcase that term prominently for all to see. I also incorporated those transparent black headlights and cab lights. I presume it even features the dazzling HIDs I set up. (Once again, not the brightest youngling.)
Some recent enhancements include the light bar fastened to the front bumper and the diamond plate toolbox positioned in the truck bed. It’s now equipped with a fresh set of Mickey Thompson tires; if I recall correctly, it previously sported Nittos. Essentially everything else that catches the eye remains unchanged. It even retains the twin-traction beam front axle, which surprises me because during my tenure, the alignment was terribly off. I toiled throughout the summer at my father’s timber mill to procure and swap in a Dana 60 solid axle, though I disposed of it before realizing the conversion.
Facebook Marketplace
I’m genuinely not seeking another pickup truck. As a matter of fact, I’m letting go of my current daily driver—a ’96 F-350 that I purchased because I longed for the red vehicle you are contemplating. Nevertheless, I fear that if I linger on this advertisement for a few more minutes, I might succumb to a questionable financial choice. I wonder if he would entertain the thought of lowering the price at all…
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