Common problem with the shift lever linkage?

[CanukGMC]

Hey all, I've never bought a ford b4 and I'm looking at buying a bush beater truck for trapping\hunting and what not. I'm looking at a 89 ford f-150 lariat 4x4 302 8cyl. He says the 4x4 works great BUT that the shift lever linkage to the tcase has broken. He said this is a very common thing and that the shop can just weld the rod back together. Is this common? Is there a good fix to make it not come back? Is it a hard rod to get at without dropping the tranny\tcase? Thanks

[CanukGMC]

TTT

no one?

[Torch]

The late 80's was a horrible time for Ford engines, they are/were over complicated and a royal pain to work on.

The 302 even in an F150 is probably going to be under powered and will make you very unhappy.

Shift levers should not break, something in the transfer case was probably seized and who ever was driving could not get it to shift and probably kicked it and broke it off. Welding it back together or replacing it are the only two options.

In my opinion I would pass on this truck and either look for something 1978 or older or 1996 or newer.

[CanukGMC]

Originally Posted by Torch

The late 80's was a horrible time for Ford engines, they are/were over complicated and a royal pain to work on.

The 302 even in an F150 is probably going to be under powered and will make you very unhappy.

Shift levers should not break, something in the transfer case was probably seized and who ever was driving could not get it to shift and probably kicked it and broke it off. Welding it back together or replacing it are the only two options.

In my opinion I would pass on this truck and either look for something 1978 or older or 1996 or newer.

That's all opinion of course. This truck is not going to haul anything major short of my snow machine in the box. It's a hunting\fishing truck only, and being bought as a "beater" not as a primary vehicle. 800$ certified I can't go wrong. He said the 4x4 was working fine and one day the shifter wasn't working as it gave way while shifting, the shop said the rod just broke and needs to be welded. I was just curious if there was another option out there. Another from the 70's up north here will be completely rotted through with rust and have no floor let alone a frame\box. Another from 96 and up I sure can't find for under a grand