There’s no shortage of praise for Ford‘s Navistar T444E-based PowerStroke 7.3-liter turbodiesel V8, which was produced from 1994 until 2003—people love it for its simplicity and durability. However, those strengths mean that most F-250s, F-350s, and Excursions powered by this diesel typically have 200,000-plus miles on them. However, our Pick of the Day has a far lower number on its odometer. You can find this 1996 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCab 4X4 on ClassicCars.com listed by a dealer in Olathe, Kansas.
Growing up, my best friend Jake’s parents had PowerStroke F-Series trucks: His mom drove an OBS (Old Body Style) ’96 F-350 dually and his dad used an ’01 F-350 Super Duty dually for his construction business. The pair reliably racked up hundreds of thousands of miles. I’ve been wanting to profile an OBS PowerStroke truck for a while, but it’s not easy to find one that’s been driven sparingly. Luckily, I came across this unicorn of an F-250. As time went on, the PowerStroke V8 evolved and grew more powerful. By 1996, its output had increased from the 1994 levels of 190 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque at 1,400 rpm to 210 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 425 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. Properly equipped, a ’96 F-250 SuperCab 4X4 with the eight-foot bed could haul 3,540 pounds of payload and – with an E4OD four-speed automatic and a 3.55 rear end like this truck has – tow up to 9,800 pounds.
But this F-250 has more going for it than just its engine. One of its most important figures is its mileage. Somehow, this truck has accrued only 75,995 miles and managed to keep accidents off its CARFAX report.
The color scheme of Light Saddle Metallic and Oxford White is another plus, bringing to mind a cloudy day in a western desert. A color-coordinated Lund windshield visor and matching running boards are as visually ’90s as the truck itself.
The interior has aged well. There don’t seem to be any rips or tears in the tan cloth seats and the carpeting is in good shape. Conveniences include power windows and locks, a tilt steering column, the factory AM/FM/cassette radio, air conditioning, and a center console with covered storage and a pair of cup holders.
This 1996 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCab 4X4 has a lot of life left in it. For $39,995, you can decide if you’re going to use that to carry around your family and friends, haul and tow heavy loads, go off-road, or a little of everything.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
