1997-2003 ford f150

Anonymous-0 · May 22, 2014

I"ve been needing a pick-up for some time now and
shied away from the newer Ford F150 trucks. Now I"m
asking the brain trust for advise. I guess I"m
afraid of the spark plug issues and timing chain. It
seems like everything is rather expensive on the new
models. Also how many miles are to many

RLA · May 22, 2014

Your asking a tough question, because we
don"t have a clue how the trk was taken
care of for the 1st 100K..

I wouldn"t be afraid of either if I knew
who drove it & how it was cared for.. How
often the oil was changed.

Hoby · May 22, 2014

Ollie, I have a 02 FX4 with around 160,000 on it. Iv'e changed plugs twice, it will diffently expand your vocabulary. It will take some time, the first is the worst. Last summer I replaced both front hub bearings, piece of cake. I also use all Ford parts. Other than the above normal service is about it. I change oil every 5000 mi. and don't have to add any between changes. The one big thing is I bought the truck new and I take very good care of it.

DaninKansas · May 22, 2014

Timing chain is good for 200K+ easily unless been abused. I wouldn't run spark plugs past 100K - especially if you drive it everyday.

Old worn spark plugs lead to coil packs going bad. The older (2007 & 2008?) had two coil packs, the newer ones have COP wires that are even more expensive to replace.

If you change the spark plugs yourself make sure you have a torque wrench and you might want to watch a Utube video to see what you are getting yourself into. The torque is very specific and you can easily strip the threads if you are not careful.

John A. · May 22, 2014

ollie poor, Look for, find an early 97, or 98 model prior to the Trident series, Where the Head/spark plug problem occurred or after it was corrected.
My 961/2, Built in June of 96, 97 model long bed, Supercab (3door) 4.6 auto, 4x4 made 355K!!! Before we lost the oil pump and S-canned the motor Had I known to replace the oil pump around 250K that truck would still be on the road today!!! It was a very solid truck over it's life no goofy problems just the usual wear items. Or Look for one of the later models (02/03) after that problem was corrected!! I wouldn't be scared if it passed the smell test. The usual runs out well no obvious problems. Hope this helps!
Later,
John A.

chuck t · May 22, 2014

(reply to post at 13:51:56 05/22/14)

I have a 2000 with a V6. 315000. Leaks/burns a quart every 2500. Replaced plugs twice; broke one off. Nothing other than routine stuff

jm. · May 22, 2014

Ollie. Our farm,trucking operation,and dealership all total has 12 ford gas pickups from 2002 up. Some of these units have over 200 thousand miles.
With all the things you have heard there are also some out there that have been almost trouble free. We service out trucks as required but we also use the heck out of them. I would not be afraid to buy a 60 thousand mile late model ford.
Just one man,s experience. We have a mixed fleet of V8 and the v6

Dachshund · May 22, 2014

The Triton 5.4 is one of the best motors ever made! I have had two go over 350,000 miles and another is going strong at 220,000. Had ONE spark plug issue - and that was caused by improper installation.

Sprint 6 · May 22, 2014

Watch out for rust. Almost every one I work on the core support is just about gone on the bottom and the radiator is barely hanging.

jon f mn · May 22, 2014

I drove my 1999 f150 hard for almost 200,000 miles with not much more than regular maintenance. Replaced 2 coils and the exhaust studs, which were a problem on the early models. The later models had stainless studs. Also did the ball joints and tie rods at about 150,000. Other than that it was only oil changes and brakes. It was pretty rusty tho when I finally traded it on the new stuff getter a couple weeks ago.

john in la · May 22, 2014

Stay away from 97 and early 98 4.2 v6
While most have had the intake gasket or even the whole motor replaced because of coolant leaks leading to hydro lock problems it is still not worth the risk considering the v8 is a much better motor.

Super-H-Mike · May 23, 2014

Timing chain wont be an issue, its the later ones with cam phasers that give trouble. Look for rust issues, rear diff if its posi will fail a lot.

T in NE · May 23, 2014

Just don't run into anything in it, they're a glorified tin can. That's the ones that the guy at the IIHS said he wouldn't let his family ride in after they started to crash test trucks.

My dad had a 97, and that v6 was a huge turd. Had a deer jump off a bank and land right above his head. Totalled the truck, blew out every window, completely crumpled the cab.

Bret4207 · May 24, 2014

(quoted from post at 15:41:56 05/22/14) ollie poor, Look for, find an early 97, or 98 model prior to the Trident series, Where the Head/spark plug problem occurred or after it was corrected.
[b:9badc4ff0f]My 961/2, Built in June of 96, 97 model long bed, Supercab (3door) 4.6 auto, 4x4 made 355K!!! [/b:9badc4ff0f]Before we lost the oil pump and S-canned the motor Had I known to replace the oil pump around 250K that truck would still be on the road today!!! It was a very solid truck over it's life no goofy problems just the usual wear items. Or Look for one of the later models (02/03) after that problem was corrected!! I wouldn't be scared if it passed the smell test. The usual runs out well no obvious problems. Hope this helps!
Later,
John A.

I have the same truck. Doesn't have 140K on it. Complete piece of garbage. Exhaust manifolds rusted out, electronics are trashed, 4wd never worked right, box supports rusted away, lousy bench seat, AC never worked, tended to go through wheel bearings fast. Put well over a grand into exhaust and sensors and still can't get dash lights to go off and pass inspection. If anyone is in salt country I'd check one over real well before buying.

1997-2003 ford f150

Anonymous-0

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RLA

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Hoby

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DaninKansas

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John A.

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chuck t

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jm.

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Dachshund

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Sprint 6

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jon f mn

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john in la

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Super-H-Mike

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T in NE

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Bret4207

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