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The Features of the 1996 Ford F250
As mentioned, for the ‘96 model year, the F250 was actually two different trucks. The two-wheel drive F250 had the 4.9L inline six as the standard engine, but the F250HD (which you had to order if you wanted four-wheel drive) had the 5.8L V8. The heavy-duty truck had bulkier springs, stronger suspension, and a deeper frame. While the F250 4X2 was rated for a payload of just over 2k lbs, the F250HD could handle almost double the load.
Safety
Ford had instituted several safety features the previous year for their F150 and light-duty F250, including a drivers airbag, but were not required by the government to install them on heavy-duty units. Other features like the rear cab brake lights, and new side intrusion beams were added.
Cab Configurations
The 1996 Ford F250 and F250HD came in a two-wheel drive model, with only 8’ beds. The F250HD (4x2 and 4x4) were offered in three cab configurations; Regular Cab, SuperCab and the CrewCab. (The four-door CrewCab had been reserved for F350 for years). The F250 HD SuperCab came in choice of 6 ¾’ or 8’ box, but the CrewCab had only a short bed.
Trim Levels
Ford had three trim levels for the F250 in 1996. The Special, XL, and XLT. (While the F150 offered an Eddie Bauer line, it was not available for the F250 or F350 models).
Special
The Special trim level (equipment package 498A) was the base trim for 1996. This features of this trim were a vinyl bench seat with black rubber flooring. The truck’s exterior featured black mirrors and argent steel wheels. While few options were available, (like air conditioning) it did come with AM/FM stereo radio and a digital clock. Ford had built a substantial business in building fleet vehicles for municipalities and companies, and the Special trim fit that bill very well.
XL Trim
For all intents and purposes, there was little difference between the Special and the XL trim lines. The XL seating options were identical (a cloth and vinyl bench seat or a knitted vinyl one). The XL did some options that were unavailable for the Special trucks, like a chrome package, rear step bumper and sport wheels if customers wished for it. In order to get the heavier suspension, owners had to pay extra and that meant moving up a trim level.
XLT
For the F250, the XLT handled the top-tier luxury that some families wanted. In Regular Cab 4x2s you could get a 40/20/40 cloth seat (If you wanted a power seat or Captain’s Chairs with a center console, you had to upgrade to the SuperCab model).
Air conditioning was standard, as were power windows, locks, cruise control, and a steering wheel that could tilt. The Chrome appearance package was standard, with chrome-styled steel wheels or deep aluminum fashioned ones. Inside, the XLT trim had the feel of a luxury sedan rather than a all-purpose work truck.
An AM/FM radio with a cassette player was standard, a CD player and remote keyless entry were options. Many customers added the optional Captain’s Chairs that were available on the SuperCab and CrewCab models.
Exterior
There were no changes to the exterior of the 1996 F250. The facelift the F-Series had received in 1992 remained intact, with an enlarged grille and headlights. Customers could choose from one of twelve colors for the F250 in 1996 with colors like Reef Blue, Red Toreador, Light Saddle or Pacific Green.
Engine
An Regular Cab F250 (4z2) had the same engine choices as the F150, with a 4.9L inline-six as the standard and the 5.0L V8 and the 5.8L V8 as options. However, if owners decided to choose the F250HD (Reg. Cab 4x2), the standard engine was the 5.8L V8, with the 4.9L inline six, the 7.5L V8, or the 7.3L PowerStroke Turbo-Desiel as options.
In the Reg Cab or SuperCab 4x4 (only offered as an HD), the 5.8L V8 was standard, with options for the 7.5L V8 and the 7.3L Powerstroke diesel. The CrewCab model (both 4x2 and 4x4) had the 7.5L V8 as the base engine with the diesel as an option.
Transmission
Ford offered only two transmission choices for the ‘95 standard F250 - a five-speed manual with overdrive and an optional 4-speed automatic (AOD - E). If you chose an F250HD, the five-speed heavy-duty manual with overdrive was standard, and either a 3-speed automatic or electronic 4-speed with overdrive were the options. (These were the same options for F250HD 4x4s).
Ford offered the automatic electric touch drive as an option on F150 4WD models but did not offer it on the F250 or F350. Ford did install automatic locking front hubs as standard, with manual ones as an option.
What Are The Specs For The 1996 Ford F250?
What Is a 1996 Ford F250 Worth Today?
The current market for F250 from the ninth-generation F series is strong. Hagerty states that a 1996 F250 in good condition is worth $11,300. For a review of free listings of 1996 F-Series trucks on sale, vehicle history, and consumer reviews, see the classiccars.com website.
