I just bought a Ford Cruise Master 33' Motorhome with a V-10 in it. It has only 28500 miles on the clock. However, when I handed the money over and received the title I noticed later that it was "YR MODEL 1996 YR 1ST SOLD 1996" Now before I go do some research, is there much or any difference between a 1996 and a 1997? The unit is extremely clean inside but has sun cracks in the exterior paint, which is normal for this year, and some clearcoat peeling, which is also indicative of age and being parked in the sun. I have contacted the seller who seems to be a pretty honest guy. I told him in the text that I was gonna research the difference. I thought maybe I would come here first for help.Thank youELEDIT: I was told it was a 1997. Plus on the ad it stated it was a 1997.

seen lot of rv,s the chassis is a year older than the coach. mines a 2006 on a 2007 coach. they buy chassis bare to the bone they sit in parking lots till there ready to use them. seems to be the norm of the rv world.

Are you sure it is a V-10 and not a 460.? I did not think the V-10's came out until 1999.

There were class C with the V10 earlier than the Class A of 1999.found on the Ford forum and it states that some 97 E series had V10 and 99 for the Class A.

A very common situation. I have a 99 Winnebago on a 98 Ford V-10 Chassis.

Gjac wrote:Are you sure it is a V-10 and not a 460.? I did not think the V-10's came out until 1999.Some came out in 1998 as I remember in the Cruise Master GB lineup.If you have a 96 it's a 460 V8 with the EDO transmission. HUGE difference then the V10. Pull the dog house off and count the number of spark plug wires coming off the distributor cap. Also V10 had bigger tires, better handling, and better brakes as I remember. I would be a little PO'ed getting a 460 instead of a V10. Doubt a V10 ever ran 16 inch tires like the 460 did.On Edit:A FT'ing friend who pulls a 5'ver had well over 300K on that truck V10. Ford made the V10 for commercial applications only. Much higher quality then the 460 that can be found in passenger cars.

Difference between a 96 and a 97 | Good Sam Community

cm2785
Explorer
Dec 30, 2017
eddielo wrote:
Sounds good but is it CA emissions compliant?

Yes the Banks kit is CARB compliant for CA.
cm2785
Explorer
Dec 30, 2017
RLS7201 wrote:
cm2785 wrote:
I’ve driven the V10 and the 460 and I like the 460.. I have a 1996 Bounder and it has a 1997 F53 chassis!! It has 11k miles on it and I can tell you with the Banks kit and new exhaust to get rid of the factory restrictive junk it’s a whole new motor. The motor itself is smoother and quieter by 200%. Even the valve noise is gone! Not to mention the power difference is huge. They say 118tq and 70hp and I believe them 100%... I would have preferred the other chassis upgrades on the V10 models but I just haven’t cared for that motor.. it seemed to revvy for me... it didn’t feel like it had the same torque, and I have driven a good amount of them... I’m sure the newer ones are a whole different story though.

Now put a stroker kit in that 460, like I did, and the'll never wipe that grin off your face. See my big ol GRIN! :B:B

Richard

Wow! I can believe it!! If it ever needs to be pulled that is most likely what I would do too!
tropical36
Explorer
Dec 30, 2017
eddielo wrote:
I just bought a Ford Cruise Master 33' Motorhome with a V-10 in it. It has only 28500 miles on the clock. However, when I handed the money over and received the title I noticed later that it was "YR MODEL 1996 YR 1ST SOLD 1996" Now before I go do some research, is there much or any difference between a 1996 and a 1997? The unit is extremely clean inside but has sun cracks in the exterior paint, which is normal for this year, and some clearcoat peeling, which is also indicative of age and being parked in the sun. I have contacted the seller who seems to be a pretty honest guy. I told him in the text that I was gonna research the difference. I thought maybe I would come here first for help.
Thank you
EL
EDIT: I was told it was a 1997. Plus on the ad it stated it was a 1997.

Didn't know there was a CLASS A about of those vintages that had a V10. Not gonna be much difference in those two years, either way, IMO, but you might threaten false advertising and demand a little compensation and not that the book value diff. is gonna be much, if any. What does it say, on your bill of sale?
Also, with any of these units, the chassis is usually a year older than the house it's titled under and sometimes two and there has been cases of engines and such that got caught up in a transition year.
RLS7201
Explorer II
Dec 30, 2017
cm2785 wrote:
I’ve driven the V10 and the 460 and I like the 460.. I have a 1996 Bounder and it has a 1997 F53 chassis!! It has 11k miles on it and I can tell you with the Banks kit and new exhaust to get rid of the factory restrictive junk it’s a whole new motor. The motor itself is smoother and quieter by 200%. Even the valve noise is gone! Not to mention the power difference is huge. They say 118tq and 70hp and I believe them 100%... I would have preferred the other chassis upgrades on the V10 models but I just haven’t cared for that motor.. it seemed to revvy for me... it didn’t feel like it had the same torque, and I have driven a good amount of them... I’m sure the newer ones are a whole different story though.

Now put a stroker kit in that 460, like I did, and the'll never wipe that grin off your face. See my big ol GRIN! :B:B

Richard
eddielo
Explorer
Dec 30, 2017
Sounds good but is it CA emissions compliant?
cm2785
Explorer
Dec 30, 2017
I’ve driven the V10 and the 460 and I like the 460.. I have a 1996 Bounder and it has a 1997 F53 chassis!! It has 11k miles on it and I can tell you with the Banks kit and new exhaust to get rid of the factory restrictive junk it’s a whole new motor. The motor itself is smoother and quieter by 200%. Even the valve noise is gone! Not to mention the power difference is huge. They say 118tq and 70hp and I believe them 100%... I would have preferred the other chassis upgrades on the V10 models but I just haven’t cared for that motor.. it seemed to revvy for me... it didn’t feel like it had the same torque, and I have driven a good amount of them... I’m sure the newer ones are a whole different story though.
Executive45
Explorer III
Dec 30, 2017
Difference between a 96 and a 97 ??? Correct answer is ONE YEAR. :B.. sorry couldn't help myself. Happy New Years.....Dennis
eddielo
Explorer
Dec 30, 2017
I went to Mission Ford here in San Jose. They are Forde truck specialists. I went to their parts department and they told me that according to my VIN I have a 7.5 big block 460 V-8, NOT the V-10. I still haven't picked up my RV. I wanted to be 100% sure I have a 460. Right now I'm about 99% sure and when I actually check the engine myself, I will be sure that it is, or it is not a V-10. Once I'm 100% sure I will advise the seller that I would like either my money back or some kind of compensation for not getting the V-10, which was a reason I wanted to buy the rig in the first place. All he can say is no, right?
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Dec 29, 2017
eddielo wrote:
Here is the VIN John: 3FCMF53G0TJA10343 Can you help me out? I will be going to the RV later this afternoon to check the engine. But maybe the VIN will tell you something. I tried without success getting correct info using the VIN alone.
Thanks
EL

Here's your VIN decoded:

VIN: 3FCMF53G0TJA10343

Model: F-530
Make (Manufacturer): Ford
Model year: 1996
Manufactured in: Mexico (North America)
Sequential number: 10343

Body style: MOTORIZED CUTAWAY
Driveline: RWD
Engine series: V-8 7.5L
Fuel type: Gasoline
Trim level: 2WD

VIN Decoder/3FCMF53G0TJA10343
MrWizard
Moderator
Dec 29, 2017
The 8th place/symbol in the the VIN is a 'G'
That is a 460 V8

This is according to the Ford chassis manual and a know RV Vin with a f53 and 460 that has the letter G in that spot

The manual says the 8 place/character is the engine identifier