This 1996 Ford F-150 is desirable not only for being a very hard-to-find Eddie Bauer edition but also for being one of the most well-optioned trucks from this era that I can recall seeing. Remember, spending a boat-load on options on a pickup truck was not nearly as popular to do in 1994 as it these days, where truck shoppers routinely spend upwards of $75,000 on a mid-tier rig with a few desirable features. This F-150 looks like a far better value, and you can find it here on eBay with bids to $12,100 and no reserve.
The Eddie Bauer package was purely cosmetic, but it was a handsome package with great color schemes and upgraded interiors. I much prefer the forest green and tan combo over the “Dark Toreador Red Clear Coat Metallic” shown here, but you can’t go wrong with either. The seller reports that mileage is pegged at 95,941, which is barely significant on one of these over-built pickups. The F-150 lived in Knoxville, TN most of its life before moving to Alabama with the seller.
This is a real-deal southern states truck that has no discernable rust and still looks good inside, too. The seller mentions how in 1994, the original purchaser spec’d this truck with an unheard of amount of features, ringing in at almost $9,500. The options list is quite extensive and includes things like the factory off-road package with skid plates underneath as well as the trailer towing package and the preferred equipment package, which added over $5,000 to the base price in 1994!
When all was said and done, this truck cost almost $30,000 that year, which was a staggering amount compared to what most workhorses were selling for. If you adjust for inflation, this F-150 would be valued at almost $60,000 in today’s money, which – ironically – means it’s still a better deal than most other new trucks! The seller has installed new tires, flushed and replaced all fluids, installed new fuel pumps and sending units, and more. For the money, you’d be hard pressed to do better for a truck you can use every day that will also appreciate like a real-deal collectible down the line.
The Eddie Bauer-trimmed Fords of this era were very nice. The upscale trim was attractive without being gaudy. Jeff makes some interesting observations about high-end pickups. This was the top offering for its day, but today there are multiple top-end trim levels for Fords: Lariat, Platinum, King Ranch, Limited. Each themed a bit differently and trimmed to different levels. Here we see what a luxury pickup looked like in 1996, and it’s amazing to see how this has evolved.
Very nice truck. I’m pretty sure their prices will continue to appreciate. Take care of it, it will make the new owner proud.
Actually the XLT Lariat was top of the line back then
The Eddie Bauer was over the Lariat. Worke for Ford from 1989 to 2005. It was the Limited of its day.
Nice rig ! I picked up a 1995 version this past September on CL for $6000. White w/gold below the belt, single cab short box, 5 speed with the 4.9 I-6. 170k miles. Spent it’s life in Prescott AZ before coming to central Ohio 3 years ago. Decent paint with a few dings and no rust other than some surface corrosion underneath. I didn’t need the truck but there was no way I wasn’t going to at least take a look. Knew going in it had a leaking slave cylinder so it would need a new clutch and the dry rotted tires would need replacing. After doing that, you might as well say i paid 8,000 and believe I could easily make a profit on it. Not going to sell it, really love the thing and I get a lot of thumbs up when driving around. Of two previous F-series, I’ve had Windsor V-8’s. The big 6 is an awesome motor, doesn’t leak, smoke or use any oil at all. I drive city fleet newer f series all day at work. Yeah they’re smoother and handle better but they just don’t have much character (?)
Keep that beauty of yours out of the Ohio salt! Moved from Ohio to Prescott 45 years ago as a kid and said goodbye to rusty cars!
You’re a Prescott guy too huh? I’ve been here since 1978
You’re a Prescott guy too huh? I’ve been here since 1978
Beautiful truck. We have the forest green / tan also from Tennessee with a few less miles that will also go up for sale when the times allows. Ironically it also has the same skid plate and tow options as well. They are like twins from another mother :). We will watch this one close to see that she sells for. Thank you for Barn Finds.
All the H.D goodies. Still a rather wimpy half ton chasis however. Not knocking this truck , its a beauty, owned half tons, and wonder why didn’t i just get a 3/4 or 1 ton pkg.
If a light duty luxury is what your after, this is sure to please.
I sold my 96 F150 about 4 years ago it was a regular cab XL and had the 5.0 and 222,000 miles on it I then purchased a 93 XLT for $3500 with 109k miles its now up to 111k miles. This one is not bad for the money and it beats paying what they want for new trucks today and you know its going to last. The down side is the Kelly book and NADA only give it a value around $5k and because its over 6 years old even a minor accident where a easy fix fender gets dented or head light busted insurance will want to total loss it and your in for a fight on actual value
That is why with cars or trucks like this (collector or not) I have an appraisal done for such an event.
Most will go to bat and back up value assessment if there is an insurance dispute
MSRP was more like 15,000.
The window sticker shows $27,911 as the price.
No mention of motor and 4×4 drive train. Have to assume its 2 wheel drive?
Ebay ad says 4×4 and V8
Ebay ad says 4×4 and V8
As David noted, it’s a 4×4. You can see the locking hubs in the photos in the writeup.
Nope,it’s 2WD.I had a ’96 F150 4X4 Eddie Bauer,
& it had a transfer case lever on the floor,& locking hubs.
Those are hub caps with a line in the middle.
Look again – you can clearly see the Twin-Traction beam front end (4×4) in one of the listing’s photos. This one has the Touch-Drive transfer case shifter (buttons on the dash) which is why you don’t see a transfer case shifter on the floor.