guidance on buying a truck
01-10-2012, 11:50 PM
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guidance on buying a truck
so i am looking at buying an 04-08 f150. i am new to gassers and have not spent much time around fords for the last few years. so i am looking for advice on what things to look for as i am buying a truck. my main question is what sort of problems are common on these trucks. also where are some good aftermarket websites and what is there for programmers and which ones seem to be better than the others.
01-10-2012, 11:53 PM
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According to msn 2007 and forth are free of any defects
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Re...0&trimid=97889
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Re...0&trimid=97889
01-11-2012, 09:33 AM
#3
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You are looking for service history, check for spark plugs and regular oil changes. Check the engine for a "diesel sound." Make sure the 4WD engages (both High and Low). If you can, check the fuel pump driver module for corrosion and cracking (underneath the spare tire mounted on a crossmember).
01-11-2012, 03:10 PM
#4
Rear Diff
something to be aware of just in case....I have a 06 that had rear diff seal [leak] replaced by prev. owner under warranty at 50k and I bought it at 58k and the rear diff issue re-emerged at 62k. Repair was about $900 for new pinion gears Timken [sp?] by a reputable rear diff. specialist. The warranty work at 50k did not quash the issue somehow......
01-11-2012, 03:55 PM
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overall good truck just little things to look for like 4wd engauging system its vacume operated any leaks in the vacume system will make your 4wd not work. ford has a strong engine the 4.6 and 5.4 are proven strong and long lasting the 4.6 has less problems than the 5.4 but it all depends on the year the 5.4 was made. ford f-series the #1 selling pick-up 34 years in a row need i say more...???
01-11-2012, 05:15 PM
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You are looking for service history, check for spark plugs and regular oil changes. Check the engine for a "diesel sound." Make sure the 4WD engages (both High and Low). If you can, check the fuel pump driver module for corrosion and cracking (underneath the spare tire mounted on a crossmember).
something to be aware of just in case....I have a 06 that had rear diff seal [leak] replaced by prev. owner under warranty at 50k and I bought it at 58k and the rear diff issue re-emerged at 62k. Repair was about $900 for new pinion gears Timken [sp?] by a reputable rear diff. specialist. The warranty work at 50k did not quash the issue somehow......
overall good truck just little things to look for like 4wd engauging system its vacume operated any leaks in the vacume system will make your 4wd not work. ford has a strong engine the 4.6 and 5.4 are proven strong and long lasting the 4.6 has less problems than the 5.4 but it all depends on the year the 5.4 was made. ford f-series the #1 selling pick-up 34 years in a row need i say more...???
also, doing some research and reading, i know about the dieseling sound and its solutions. im a little nervous about this cause the fix is not cheap. how wide spread is the problem?
cjs, what problems tend to come up with the 5.4 and how easily are they solved?
also cjs, and this is to everyone, please dont throw the sales pitches at me. "#1 selling truck in america for 34 years" to me just means they have a good advertisement department and tells me nothing about the truck, and when someone pitches that line at me it lowers their credibility in my mind.
with that said, i do like ford, i think they have a good truck for the most part, but every vehical has its problems, i just want to know what they are before the come up. unplanned down time is unacceptable to me.
now on another note, what are some good aftermarket companys for hard parts. what mods can be done for fuel mileage, and what tuners seem to be better?
01-11-2012, 09:52 PM
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so i got a question about the cam phasers, and the solutions offered by various companies. if the engine sounds good and everything seems in working order and i install the phaser limiter or lock and retune the engine, do i have to worry anymore about the phasers failing? or does this cure it and make it solid and reliable?
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01-12-2012, 08:37 AM
#8
Im on my 3rd Ford F150. I have also owned 06 GM 1500, 05 Ram 1500.
From a 1/2 ton POV the Ford is the nicest IMO... Hands Down!
Dodge engines 4.7 and Hemi seem to be more problematic than the 5.4
The GM Vortec is actually a decent motor, but it has problems too (intake gaskets and manifold bolts breaking)
Back to the Ford. 5.4 is a good motor, use the proper oil, and change it at the proper intervals.
Sludge seems to be the biggest killer of phasers and chains... so dont let this happen by running a good synthetic and a motocraft filter.
If you do run into Phaser noise, there is only one real fix...
change the timing chain, tesioners, and Phasers (Dorman recently released a phaser for $120 each)
Then you should be good for another 120,000+ miles
Maintain your 5.4
it is more complicated than the 'ol pushrod motors.
All my info comes from a Ford mechanic friend of mine with 15yrs+ exp.
From a 1/2 ton POV the Ford is the nicest IMO... Hands Down!
Dodge engines 4.7 and Hemi seem to be more problematic than the 5.4
The GM Vortec is actually a decent motor, but it has problems too (intake gaskets and manifold bolts breaking)
Back to the Ford. 5.4 is a good motor, use the proper oil, and change it at the proper intervals.
Sludge seems to be the biggest killer of phasers and chains... so dont let this happen by running a good synthetic and a motocraft filter.
If you do run into Phaser noise, there is only one real fix...
change the timing chain, tesioners, and Phasers (Dorman recently released a phaser for $120 each)
Then you should be good for another 120,000+ miles
Maintain your 5.4
it is more complicated than the 'ol pushrod motors.
All my info comes from a Ford mechanic friend of mine with 15yrs+ exp.
01-12-2012, 09:30 AM
#9
Senior Member
what is the reliablity of the 4wd system? i am coming for a 2500 dodge and the vacuum actuator often would fail in ice and snow which is the worst time to happen. the fix for it was realitivly inexpensive and very solid. how well do these systems work in extreme conditions and is there a fix like the posi lock cable for the dodge?
also, doing some research and reading, i know about the dieseling sound and its solutions. im a little nervous about this cause the fix is not cheap. how wide spread is the problem?
cjs, what problems tend to come up with the 5.4 and how easily are they solved?
also cjs, and this is to everyone, please dont throw the sales pitches at me. "#1 selling truck in america for 34 years" to me just means they have a good advertisement department and tells me nothing about the truck, and when someone pitches that line at me it lowers their credibility in my mind.
with that said, i do like ford, i think they have a good truck for the most part, but every vehical has its problems, i just want to know what they are before the come up. unplanned down time is unacceptable to me.
now on another note, what are some good aftermarket companys for hard parts. what mods can be done for fuel mileage, and what tuners seem to be better?
also, doing some research and reading, i know about the dieseling sound and its solutions. im a little nervous about this cause the fix is not cheap. how wide spread is the problem?
cjs, what problems tend to come up with the 5.4 and how easily are they solved?
also cjs, and this is to everyone, please dont throw the sales pitches at me. "#1 selling truck in america for 34 years" to me just means they have a good advertisement department and tells me nothing about the truck, and when someone pitches that line at me it lowers their credibility in my mind.
with that said, i do like ford, i think they have a good truck for the most part, but every vehical has its problems, i just want to know what they are before the come up. unplanned down time is unacceptable to me.
now on another note, what are some good aftermarket companys for hard parts. what mods can be done for fuel mileage, and what tuners seem to be better?
The cam phaser issue is widespread, but in most cases is just an annoyance more than anything. If the motor is making no noise now, I would switch to 10w-30 right when you purchase it. However, it's important to have maintenance records, because as noted above, sludge kills the phasers.
And to call Ford's sales record a "marketing gimmick" is a little ridiculous. There are fleets around the country that use tens of thousands of these trucks and depend on them...if they didn't perform they wouldn't use them.
Another thing to keep in mind is when you search on these forums or any other vehicle forum, it will be loaded with people who are having problems. You think to yourself "man, this truck has really poor reliability." Not the case, people will always be asking questions about problems so it can skew the perception of a particular vehicle. I've been a member of a half dozen vehicle forums and they are all that way.
01-13-2012, 02:37 AM
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The IWE solenoid for 4WD fails because it sits right on the firewall under the hood seam, so all the water falls right on top of it. The revised part has a hood on the top to prevent this. It's a cheap part (under $50).
The cam phaser issue is widespread, but in most cases is just an annoyance more than anything. If the motor is making no noise now, I would switch to 10w-30 right when you purchase it. However, it's important to have maintenance records, because as noted above, sludge kills the phasers.
And to call Ford's sales record a "marketing gimmick" is a little ridiculous. There are fleets around the country that use tens of thousands of these trucks and depend on them...if they didn't perform they wouldn't use them.
Another thing to keep in mind is when you search on these forums or any other vehicle forum, it will be loaded with people who are having problems. You think to yourself "man, this truck has really poor reliability." Not the case, people will always be asking questions about problems so it can skew the perception of a particular vehicle. I've been a member of a half dozen vehicle forums and they are all that way.
The cam phaser issue is widespread, but in most cases is just an annoyance more than anything. If the motor is making no noise now, I would switch to 10w-30 right when you purchase it. However, it's important to have maintenance records, because as noted above, sludge kills the phasers.
And to call Ford's sales record a "marketing gimmick" is a little ridiculous. There are fleets around the country that use tens of thousands of these trucks and depend on them...if they didn't perform they wouldn't use them.
Another thing to keep in mind is when you search on these forums or any other vehicle forum, it will be loaded with people who are having problems. You think to yourself "man, this truck has really poor reliability." Not the case, people will always be asking questions about problems so it can skew the perception of a particular vehicle. I've been a member of a half dozen vehicle forums and they are all that way.
I do thank you for the info and help. I can tell we and possibly many others are not going to see eye to eye on some very touchy subjects and so I think its best we stick to the tech. As for info on the forums, I know that it can be something of in accurate sample. That is why I am asking these questions, I do like the trucks and want a lot of miles and years of good service out of it. So im trying to get a jump on what problems I need to be aware of and get a jump on. Keep the info coming guys I really appreciate it.