GrimaceTimus

Phylodog...despite the issues I have been having with my '05 Screw, I would buy it again. I spent some time on this website like you before my purchase, but I think I let "truck lust" get my better judgment. Basically, I would have still tried to buy the truck, but I would have offered the guy at least $1500 less due to the phaser noise. That would have at least covered what I'll probably have in it by the time I replace the timing components and spark plugs.

I also got a little burned on the tires. I drove and checked the truck out at dusk (my first mistake) ... and the tires looked great. Seller even said "must be at least 10K miles of tread left on there ... and I was thinking more like 20K. Well, buy it...get it home and the shoulder weather-checking was horrible. I had to replace those tires right away or risk a blowout (not a fun thing in a 5800# truck).

I am just rambling a bit now...but like I said. I would still buy this truck and I hope to get many, many moons out of her. I'll deal with these little pesky issues in the beginning and I should be good to go.

Tradesman

Here is something for you to consider. I knew about the cam phaser and spark plug issues before I purchased my truck. I also heard of a few people here and there who have grenade their transmissions and their motors. I also heard of the IWE system on the 4x4 models. I purchased my '04 with 145,000km on it. I did the plugs, all of them broke but I did them myself and saved myself a s**tload of money. (Special thanks to Kozal01 and Goldteam for this! ) I also had issues with the IWEs. I replaced the solenoid and it works perfectly now. (Thanks to VTX1800N for this!) My transmission and motor are all original, I am a hair away from 200,000km and I tow an 8,000lb trailer daily. My cam phaser is starting to get a little louder but I'll be taking care of that shortly.

I also have a Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi and the 545RFE transmission. All original, all stock. These trucks are known to blow their transmissions just due to the high torque output of the Hemi. Well, mine has over 210,000km on it and with proper servicing it should last a long time. I think the major thing is to make sure the person you're purchasing the vehicle from took very good care of the vehicle.

HardcoreFx4

There still pretty good trucks mine had the phaser tick. But I just hot roded the hell out of it. Just didn't seem as tough as the 5.4 2vs so I went to a 2003 supercrew.

06screwlariat

Beautiful looking Rubi, I almost got one, but the practicality just wasn't enough for my needs

JP2085

I have a 2007 FX4 and mostly love it although I won't buy another 5.4. I bought mine and shortly after it started the "dieseling" and shaking at hot low acceleration. I posted a couple videos on here of it and everybody is like "oh your engine is shot! stop driving it!" and all that jazz. I knew it couldn't be the case and I was right. I replaced both VCT solenoids and voila the dieseling went away and it runs perfect. I don't even have the ticking that they say is normal from the VCT system. I'm pretty sure they worked a lot of the kinks out by 2007 as far as the rest of the timing components so I'd stay away from 04-05 for sure. But anyway, here's a vid of what mine was doing. Good thing I didn't do a timing rebuild when all it needed was the solenoids...

C Dawg222

^
You said you have a '07....so I take it you had to pull the valve covers to change your VCTs?

How much of a PITA was that?
I sold my VCTs to another forum member after figuring out that the valve covers had to come off to change them.

dereku

well I can say the reason I have a 4.6 and a 2wd 08 is for all the reasons mentioned. My family has owned 5.4s and they have never had an issue however I like things to be simple. Also 4x4 needs a solid axle otherwise whats the point.

Phylodog

Well I went and checked out a 2007 XLT with 57K miles on it this evening. Everything looked pretty good and I was starting to get optimistic but just before I was done test driving it I put it into 4hi and heard a grinding sound from the front drivers side. Pretty bummed out as it was a decent truck with low miles but I have no idea what was grinding and I can't afford to buy a problem truck.

JP2085

Oh it was a very big PITA. I did it only with the help of my experienced mechanic friend with lots of tools. You need a wide array of sockets, swivels, extensions, and such. And you will probably punch a hole in the oil dipstick tube trying to get it out like I did so either have one on hand or be able to braze it up like my friend did. The other part that sucked was taking out the transmission dipstick tube because you can't even see the bolt and it's like right up against the frame. I think I used a 6" wobble, 5" wobble, and the socket just to get to it and barely at that. So don't get me wrong. It's not hard at all, just a big PITA.

lyricspap

just my 2c.'s i bought a 06 screw in mar. because in my opinion they are the best looking(04 and up)trucks . but after a bad manifold and plugs will need changed soon(it's hard to even find anybody that wants to do these repairs) i would have waited for an 09 or newer