Ford Trucks Need quick input/advice

[eyegots2no]

I think I m about to buy a 2004 XLT Super Cab with only 28K miles ---the 5.4 engine and the towing package.

I have never had a Ford Truck.

I started buying foreign years ago because I had such good luck with them.

Anyone with any thought or experiences ---or I should know..., would be much appreciated.

[hittman77]

My son and a neighbor each have a Ford (2008 F150's) with the 5.4 (Triton?).

Rumor has it the spark plugs can somehow seize in the heads and be a big problem. Others disagree.

Either way, I don't know anyone personally who had a problem.

My 2012 F150 has the 5.0 and no issues yet.

[eyegots2no]

Yea I have learned of the spark plug problem---but it can be manageable.

I have read the power windows mess up---sometimes just fall to the floor inside the door and the regulator has to be fixed----

[williamlayton]

I have owned Fords since 1982 with no problems---except ice, one night.
Blessings

[arjay]

Ive had one f-150 and two f-250 4x4s and I'd buy another.
Oops I forgot- the 02 f-250 blew a spark plug out of that aluminum head at 130,000 miles.That was a bit expensive.

[BigBoy99]

I currently have a 2005 F250 Diesel and 2009 F150. Both are 4x4 and I've had zero problems with either of them.

[JJEH]

I have no experience with this particular model. But my brother in law has a 2012 F250 Diesel and he loves it.

[boatme99]

A warning.
With Ford windows, it's usually not the whole regulator that goes bad. That's what unscrupulous parts changers will tell you, then charge you $500 a window.

The problem is usually the plastic gears stripping. This is fixed for around $70 a window, parts and labor.

How do I know? An F-150, a Lincoln TC, a Lincoln Continental, and another TC I recently sold in which all four Windows were repaired for less than $400.

The only one that hasn't needed a window repaired yet is the Continental.

Enjoy your new truck!

[James&theGiant1911]

Yeah, I have 120 thousand miles on a 2002 XLT bought when it was a year old with 30 thousand miles. A tune up and replaced spark plugs and it runs great. Ford trucks are the best in the USA for a reason.

[jumbeaux]

Low mileage truck...I have a 1999 F150 Super Cab with the 4.6 V8 2 valve engine...246,000 miles and still runs great. I just traded in a 2005 F150 Super Crew 5.4 V8 3 valve head...I did have several spark plugs break but had no problem removing them...the 3 valve head 5.4 has some history of cam phasers problems...VVT (variable valve timing)...mine were just noisy almost like a diesel...I purchased the truck with 130,000 miles and traded at 176,000 miles...only thing I recommend is using Ford Filters and Ford Motor Oil...it really seemed to help my phasers noise...BTW I just purchased my first new truck in 20 years...2014 F150 Super Crew with the 5.0 V8...love it...good luck...would love to hear the history of your low mileage find...

rick

[BE Mike]

I have a 2003 Ford F-150 super crewcab. I bought it used. I'm pretty easy on it, having been totally retired for 6 years or so. I haven't had any major issues, so far, but I don't even have 100,000 miles on it yet. I put some Seafoam in the gas tank a while back and shortly thereafter, the engine began missing. I took it in to the dealership and they said that some plugs were fouled. I attribute it to using the Seafoam and having baked on carbon coming loose. Anyway, they ended up replacing the plugs and ignition coils (all eight). It was a fairly expensive major tune-up, but it was to be expected in another 10,000 miles or so anyway. This is my second used F-150 and I haven't had any other issues; just routine things like belts, hoses, batteries, etc.

[cougar14]

I bought a new 2004 Superduty F250 w/the 5.4. Going on eleven years, never been in the shop for anything. One battery, 8 tires, that's about it. Good investment. If you get it, I'd recommend you have the trans serviced, you can't know how it has been used. Use synthetic trans fluid.

[4011]

I just traded my 2007 for a 2013. The 5.4 in the 2007 was weak. Has mileage was poor in town. The bucket seat got real hard after a day's riding on the highway. The plugs are real long reach. Carbon builds on the threads and if you just try to wrench the plug might break. The mechanics loosen the plug soak with carb cleaner. Then let it set. Turn somemore and spray again. Most of them have got it down now and don't strip the threads. My 2013 has the 5.0 engine. It runs like a scalded ape. No comparison to the 07 5.4. Then the brakes. If you let the rotors get scored it cheaper to replace rotor bearing and all. The axle retainer nut requires 150 ft. Lbs. of torque. The nut must be replaced along with the rotor. Been there done that changed the rotors twice.

[olcop]

I'd been a Chevy man all my life, till I got the Ford----got a 97 F150, it rolled over 300,000 miles recently. No problems, routine maintenance, tires and batteries is all it ever gets.
Starts every time, all electrics still work, ac&heat still work, zero problems
4.6 engine ,XLT.
olcop TV

[gordon21]

My 2006 F-150 5.4L supercab has 255,000 miles on it. Zero repairs. Just maintenance: tires, one belt, fluids, filters, batteries, brake pads. However, a spark plug change is $400+ and I had one done at 140,000 miles. The common knowledge is that the spark plugs can be easily broken upon removal by a ham fisted mechanic without the special tool. This is one maintenance job where you really should pay a dealers higher rate. Your chance of damage is virtually zero. A small private shop might have only done a few trucks. A dealer does them every day.

If you are buying from a dealer, get the spark plug change thrown into the price. If you are buying privately, your plugs are already 10 years old.

[Stainless44]

I've owned a Ford with the 5.4. I had a 2001 F150 Lariat for 9 years.

The spark plug problem is real...but it is manageable. I lost three plugs at different times...they simply blew right out of the head...stripping the threads on the way out. The dealer told me the only solution was a new engine for $5,000. After a little research I found that there is indeed a much cheaper fix...it's called Time Sert threaded inserts. It's not cheap...but at $500 it's way cheaper than a new engine.

The plugs are a GIGANTIC pain in the rear-end to access. Call a local shop and ask them how much they charge to do a plug change on that vehicle...several years ago I was quoted $500 to change 8 plugs.

I've owned Chevy, Nissan, and Ford trucks...nobody makes a perfect one.

After driving that one for 9 years I bought another F150 because they are generally very good trucks...I think I just had some bad luck with mine. Like someone else mentioned above...have the price of a plug change subtracted from the purchase price, let a dealer do it, and I think you'll be real happy with it.

[billwill]

We have a '98 F150 with 204,000 and an '04 Expedition 5.4 V8 (basically the F150) with 140,000, both 4x4. Great vehicles and would certainly buy others. Just convinced a buddy to get a '14 F150 over a GMC. I think he sleeps in the F150. That thing has all kind of fancy nav/GPS/phone/radio stuff in it.

I have a tough time with the TV remote.

[Jimmyjones]

I have a 2005 XL 5.4 4x2 extended cab, 8' bed, bought it new. It has 89K on it and so far I've just changed the oil, tranny fluid and brake pads & tires. It has no electric anything so I can't comment on that.

Everybody borrows it, and its hauled a touring class HD in the bed down to AZ and back every Christmas since I got it. Which was why I originally got it.

Best truck I've owned.

[carpriver]

I had leased a 2004 super-cab 5.4 4x4 tow package. had it 3 years 39,000 miles no problems. towed a 9800 lbs trailer every weekend. I did had all service done at the Ford dealer with Motorcraft oil and filters.

[Munsterf18]

I've had 4 in a row. None better.

My 2001 F250 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew, 5.4L has 210,000 miles, doesn't miss a beat, doesn't leak or use oil, and runs like a top. Still looks great too. I've only had to do plugs once, at 150,000 miles. No problems, not that expensive, and I only did it because I felt guilty for going that long. It still ran great. The best, lowest maintenance vehicle I have ever owned.

I've also got a 2006 F250 diesel. Another great truck currently at 90,000.

28K? If you don't buy it let me know where it is!

[reddogge]

I've been driving a 2007 F150 4x4 for 4 years and have had no problems. The 5.4 Triton has plenty of power to tow a Ranger bass boat 12 hours to Lake Champlain and I hardly know it's there. It's a little tough on gas though, not like the new ones. I did have my plugs changed this year for preventative maintenance.

[bgrone]

I believe most brands offer a good truck these days if they are maintained properly. On the 5.4 use only the oil recommended by the manufacturer. I have had two customers lose engines with other than specified oil. I drive a Chevy now but when I'm done wearing it out I would consider a Ford. When I was younger I was focused on only one brand, I now think I may have passed on several potential gems due to brand prejudice.

[model70hunter]

2000 F-250 Crew, 7.3 Diesel. Over 200K. New shocks, tires and batteries when required. Love it.

[whitestang]

One of my brothers has been a Ford Service Tech for 30 years and his first F150 went 182,000 miles before he replaced it. His 09 F250 has 54,000 miles on it with no issues. I drive for the same dealership he works at and have never had any issues with any of the F150,250 or 350s I have driven,not all were new.

[Doug M.]

Originally Posted by eyegots2no

I think I m about to buy a 2004 XLT Super Cab with only 28K miles ---the 5.4 engine and the towing package.

Anyone with any thought or experiences ---or I should know..., would be much appreciated.

*
What would scare me is not so much the make or model, but the miles. A 10 year old vehicle with so few miles had to have been used hard, either in local driving only, or only when towing. Those are both uses that are much harder on the vehicle than a bunch of steady highway miles.

[snowman]

Originally Posted by eyegots2no

I think I m about to buy a 2004 XLT Super Cab with only 28K miles ---the 5.4 engine and the towing package.

I have never had a Ford Truck.

I started buying foreign years ago because I had such good luck with them.

Anyone with any thought or experiences ---or I should know..., would be much appreciated.

Sir,

The truck you're thinking of buying is eight years newer than mine, so the following comments may not apply.

I've owned a 96 F250 4x4 since 2004. This one also was a low-mileage truck when I bought it, in good shape, and I'm just happy to have it. However, I am one who does most of my own service and repair, and this provides me with a little extra knowledge of the quality and engineering which characterize a vehicle. Let's just say that I'm not impressed.

I haven't had a lot of trouble with it, but. . .

I don't have the time to go into depth, but I'll mention an item or three.

-Twin Traction Beam front axle, coupled with 2-leaf reversed arch springs for the front suspension. Makes for a driving experience not unlike that of driving a boat. Also tends to settle a good bit, putting the front wheels seriously out of camber. I corrected all this by installing a a lift kit featuring a 5-leaf spring pack which reversed the reversed-arch springs and stiffened everything up. Now it rides somewhat like a tractor, which in my view is far preferable to a boat.

-Cheap, greaseless ball joints, which tend to wear out early in life, necessitating a very expensive repair($600+ in my case; wasn't a job I wanted to get into). This problem is very common, and well-attested/documented in mid 90s to early 2000s Fords. I understand that a number of techs and others have complained to the company about it, but the company doesn't seem to care. If you haven't bought the '04 yet, you might check and see if this remained an issue in that model year.

-(NOTE: Being a Texas resident, you should be spared the following problem) A radiator support which rusts to pieces at the body mount on each side, due to a brilliant design which allows the front wheels to sling water, mud, and, the big corroder -ROAD SALT- directly into the area on top of the body mount and remain there to eat away at this $200 part until it falls apart. Mine hasn't done so yet, but I'm going to be forced to add steel braces to it to replace the material eaten away.


Well, the above rhetoric may be a bit over the top. I do appreciate having a pick-up; they're extremely valuable to have for various reasons. But I just tend to get a little disgusted at such issues, having been spoiled by my '91 Honda Civic sedan, which I drove for 18 years and which was truly 'a brilliant design'.

I wish you well in your purchase.

Andy

[PA Guns & Ammo]

I would stay away from that year F150. Had problems of spark plugs blowing out and you have to remove the head most of the time to fix it. In order for the mechanic to remove the head from the block, the cab of the truck needs to be removed. It is estimated about a 19 hour job. Also they had many problems with the exhaust manifold studs breaking off in the heads causing exhaust leaks. Other than those two things the truck is decent.

James

[finesse_r]

I have had several Ford trucks and currently have a 1998 F-150 that I bought new. Just oil, gas, tires, one tune up, and some work on the brakes and it runs like new. I keep thinking I want a new vehicle, but I can’t justify it with that F-150 being so strong still.

One thing. It is a truck, not a car made to look like a truck. If you want a real smooth, quiet ride buy something else. If you want strong dependability, buy a ford Truck.

I don’t care for their cars much.

[eyegots2no]

Man, its great to get such great input on the SW forum!

Thanks for everyone's input.

Yea Snowman---I had a 90 accord for 24 years---and still would if I had had a better mechanic.

Doug---the owner did use it to haul his Harley to Sturgis every year---sometimes in the back and sometimes with a trailer.



Looks like the seller made a mistake----it is a 4.6 NOT the 5.4.

The seller is the someone I've known for 12 years---met him just after he left USMC (Major, tanks then logistics, I was a reservist 08 and we've been playing poker with 6 other formers once a month for 12 years). His dad---former Sailor--- recently died. It seems his dad always had to have a "spare truck".

Rides like a Cadillac, has fine pep. I went ahead and did the deal.

Thanks for all ya'll's input.

[LoboGunLeather]

I purchased a 2004 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab new in June, 2004. 4.6L Triton V8, automatic, 4X4, towing package. I have driven it just about every day for 10 years and 5 months. Now has about 160,000 miles on it.

Oil changes at 3500 miles. Transmission, transfer case, and differentials serviced at 50,000 miles. Spark plugs at 100,000 (didn't look like they needed replacing). Good filters all the time.

Best truck I've ever had. Other than routine maintenance I doubt that I've spent $500 on it. 19MPG highway, 14-15 in town. I once pulled a 6000 lb. trailer on a 2000 mile road trip without problems. I have hauled 1200 lb. loads in the bed.

I would not hesitate to buy another one, but I think this one will go another 100,000 just as easily.

[SmokeStack Lightning]

I own a 2010 F-150 XLT Scab 4x4, 4.6L, 3V.

At 6,000 miles cyl. #8's fuel injector went south under factory warranty.

$800 repair if not under warranty.

The seal on the cab's "High light" has leaked twice, badly. Once under factory warranty, once it cost me $229.

Other than only having 28,000 miles on "Chester the Molester" with those two problems, it's been a good truck.

I read an article on the 6 cyl Ecoboost engines that states those with high milage are having failure of the turbo's. Expensive repair for those.

[Cpo1944]

Not necessarliy so, My 07 only has 15,000 miles on it and It has not been abused. I only drive it to my river property which is 13 miles from home, some city and some highway miles. It did have a dead battery one time, but thats because I hadn`t started it in a long time .

Originally Posted by Doug M.

*
What would scare me is not so much the make or model, but the miles. A 10 year old vehicle with so few miles had to have been used hard, either in local driving only, or only when towing. Those are both uses that are much harder on the vehicle than a bunch of steady highway miles.

[gregintenn]

My work truck is an 08 Ford F-150 with the 5.4 v8. It has 170,000 miles on it. Still runs and drives well, and still gets about 22mpg.

I'd buy one were I in the market for a truck.

Make sure the one you are looking at doesn't have a problem with the temperature control knob. Sometimes the motor on the blend door quits working or the stem it turns the flap with breaks, and it's a BIG deal to replace.

[Capt Steve]

Had an F-150 1998 SCab for 11 years. Traded it in on a 2006 F-150 Scab. only sold that when I bought our 2012 Class C with the E-350 V-10 and no longer needed it to tow the travel trailer we sold. Just bought my neighbors 1995 Crown Vic, 150,000 miles and in mint condition. Yep I am a Ford guy through and through... not to mention it is my last name.

[JDBoardman]

You guys are all pikers! I have a 1989 F-150 XLT standard cab short bed with somewhere north of 500,000 miles. Yes, the engine has been replaced (when my stepson drove it 65 miles with no oil - it threw a rod right out the side of the block, but it still ran the last 15 miles - and started up to drive to the mechanic to get a new engine), Tires, oil, belts and tensioner, new starters every 4 years (the 5.8 liter/351Windsor eats starters). No rust, needs paint and new upholstry, but it still gets me to work every day. Last Autum, a tree fell on it during a thunderstorm, but I drove out from under it with only a few (!) scratches to the (mostly nonexistent) paint. Truly "Built Ford Tough".

[finesse_r]

I am still driving my 1998 F-150 that I bought new in 1998. I plan to own it until I die. The thing cranks and runs like new and I am getting 22 to 24 MPG from the V-6 with a manual transmission (4 forward + overdrive). The air still blows cold as ice with no work on it. I have done brake work on it, a tune up, and I put a new clutch in it this year (I am bad to ride the clutch so I expected that). Other than that tires, oil, and gas.

It was without a doubt the best investment in transportation I ever made. It is a base model and the drive out including Tax title and license was $ 14,500. I would not take $5000 for it after all this time. It has new rubber all around and I would put it on the road to any [place in the USA.

[LostintheOzone]

The older the better. See if you can find something before 1973. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, any of the newer full size American iron can give you problems. And when they do, it gets expensive brother.

Mostly it's electrical, motors, sensors, that kind of stuff. Get ready to deal with it cause ain't no way around it. Yes, even Ford's.

Last bill was $1100 for a turbo sensor. Yeeeooow.

[e3mrk]

My Son has a 2005 F-150 and He's kicking Himself for buying it.
It seems there is a problem with the engine with how the Cams are made to move forward and back as needed for power.
He said it is a common problem and Ford refused to do a recall so it's up to the Owner to pay around $7000.00 to replace the Engine.
So before You buy a Ford better do a lot of research.
That being said,I drive a 2005 E-150 Van with almost 200,000 miles on it and it runs like the day it was made.

[Bahamaroot]

Have a 2002 Ford F150 5.4 Tritan that has never spent a day in the shop. Keep up with the maintenance and they will treat you well for years on end. My dad drives a 1995 F150 inline 6 with 280k and still going strong.

[Old 44 Guy]

I've driven Ford trucks since my first Model "A" 1929 pickup. That was more years ago than I like to think about. Guess I've owned about 8 or 9. Only had one lemon, a 1958 F-100 I bought new.Got rid of it in 7 months. Had a Chevy once, never again. My currant one is a "07 Ranger 4x4. Good little rig with all the bells & whistles. Just turned 70 K with no problems.

[Kinman]

If I was in the market for a new truck I would want to order a F-350 4x4 Ford truck with a Cummins engine and Allison transmission with Chevy Silverado Interior...that would be a nice truck.

[sgt.207]

Had a 2007 Expedition w the 5.4 engine. After the THIRD engine went, I scrapped it. Maintained properly but had major engine problems. Never Again.