CedarPark

Thanks for all the input! Reading over old threads, the cam phaser certainly seems like a common issue. When inspecting the vehicle, if I hear the "knocking", hopefully they would allow me to remove the valve cover and just check it out? I have also never done work in this area before, the only serious engine work I've done was the timing belt swap on my old Tundra. Is it worth attempting to tackle a DIY? I'm not an engine guy (I know my suspension though, heh) but I know cars and I'm "mechanically inclined". Or how much do y'all think a dealer would typically charge? I want to budget for all the common issues before I purchase the vehicle. And if the parts check out, I guess I can jump right into my Fox fund

nsejda

I've owned both gen trucks. I've owned a 01 with a 5.4, loved that truck and I've took that truck through hell and back. The truck never broke on me, never had any issues with it. I recently bought a 04 with a 4.6. I can't tell a difference between both trucks motor, both trucks have "mechanical problems," but if you take care of the truck it will take care of you. I love my 04 and its a easier ride then the 01. I personally like the looks of the 04, but that's my opinion. The point I'm trying to make is, take care of the truck, then it won't break. Also, don't put yourself in debt for your car. I just graduated high school I know how it is. Don't put yourself in debt, then have to start paying college loans. It's a bad financial road to take.

CedarPark

I plan in paying the price in full, I'm one of those "debt paranoid" people. And thanks for the advise; the '04 looks better in my opinion as well. Seems like a pretty solid exhibition truck. Nothing too hard, but will see some dirt/rocks.

StanF

Personally, I'd stay away from anything other than an 08 - Ford made a bunch of improvements through the years to the engine, etc.

The advice on page 1 to save your money and buy a newer truck is spot on.

And, yes, I have an 04 with all the common problems. Phaser noise, exhaust manifold crack/leak, leaking 3rd brake light, weird bed vibrations at times, spark plugs that will be a PITA to change, automatic headlights that aren't automatic because of a connector issue, transmission shudder, etc. Just the parts to fix the phasers and associated components will cost almost $1000 and a day or two of your life to fix.

Seriously, buy a newer Ford truck or different brand. There are just too many inherent problems with the earlier ones - especially the 04.

CedarPark

I appreciate the honest advise. The issue is I need the vehicle before running off to college at the end of the summer, and I want to pay in full. Granted I have a decent job with good hours, but I'm still in high school. I also do ranch work, for family and a little extra cash from their neighbors, so a truck would be ideal. Want to stick with Toyota or Ford, but with this advise, will stay away from the '04 and probably '05 as well.

I have a couple months before I need to pull the trigger, so I'll keep my ear to the ground. I do wish to be able to mod the vehicle though; frankly its what I hope to go into post college.

You mentioned a tranny shutter, which scares me. Mind elaborating? That alone sounds like more than $1000.

MHOWELL34

IMO thats too much for that truck man... I got fully loaded lariat with heated seats etc etc, for 9,000. I had 180k tho at the time and my first oil change is when it started ticking :X So they may have it rigged to be quiet with some diesel oil.... Don't as me how i know. Other than that i wouldnt pay a red cent over 10,500 at max for it. Unless for the loan interest tax of course. Bank approved the truck up to 15k for the loan tho. It's not a bad deal completely but these motors are high maintenance, the chains, phasers and tensioners all go at any mileage they please. I bet a fuzzy red nickel the 4x4 light works but since its never been used much the actuators have frozen up. Try to make em bring that price down. You guys mention tranny shutter, well from a 70 pull it would do a rumble strip vibration... so i got fluids changed, put some lucas in it, and away it went. Just had to pull it last weekend and my transmission looks fine spline wise. Torque converter was well it was a torque converter.

As i said I paid 9k for mine with 180k, after bank it was around 10,500 all said and done.. But i wouldnt pay a penny over 10,500 for the craigslist one you posted. Buy something you want but dont owe on it for the rest of your life lol. Car stealerships will **** you everytime. My truck started out fine!! Was damn near flawless until i started trying to actually use it!! So if you buy this truck, CHECK EVERYTHING!!! Because a year down the road things got a little worse.

Day i got it, its all so pretty inside!!! Had to put my radio in it tho.. Stock sucks lol
Attachment 570541

Sat in driveway for a week because i decided to change plugs, discovered plug changing issues..... Lisle tool, some curse words to cylinder #4 and anger and i got it done, barely.

First real weekend out in it, buddys z71 got stuck, so i said ill pull you out man i got 4x4!!! Little did i know it didnt do jack diddly. Lets just say for 2wd she was pullin hard tho!! That 3.73 LSD doesnt like to slip, it grabs i promise ya lol


Fixed her up a little, bull bar and pipes, subwoofer, fixed 4wd, etc


Couple months ago hit a deer... Broke alot of ****, but none the less i love her to much to give up on her! Bull bar saved alot of stuff!
Attachment 570544

After the insurance money, i got everything but rims pretty much, didn't want them putting it back stock when i had my mind set on doing more, so i fixed it all myself.
Attachment 570451

Then other problems started happening.. Louder, The cam phasers got way too loud, thats when i installed the guages in my truck. I was getting 18psi hot idle, now i get around 30-50. Had a chain tensioner seal blown, and a chain guide in about 6 peices, so again i fixed it by myself
Attachment 570545
Attachment 570166

Interior when i got it vs now
Then

Now
Attachment 570519

The grinding sounds of metal on metal when i went to crank her up. Used to do it once every couple months, then got worse and worse then finally just free spun the other day when i was taking it to shop. So had to pull transmission, put a new flywheel aka flexplate for auto, now she runs good as new, but she uses a little oil. Nothing serious tho. Just know what you are getting into before you buy this truck, because the issues will sneak up on you and bite you in the ***.
Attachment 570548

Hope i don't scare you away from the truck, they are awesome, but for 140k the symptoms will be there im pretty sure. Some get lucky some dont, i should be smooth sailing for now. This truck will make you learn how to work on **** for sure! It's well worth the time and effort. Because its the best truck i've ever had and i am going to keep her happy as long as she keeps me smiling.

CedarPark

There are better deals on craigslist, this is ballpark what I'm looking at and thought it would be a good base point. I plan on budging 10k, will bump to 11k if I can find one under 105k miles.

The work seems quite tedious. Can I ask how much you've invested in repairs? Thanks for all the sound experience, it's nice to hear encouraging words though. I also didn't know they came with an LSD... I like that haha

Good lookin truck btw! I can't tell you how much I love the gold on black.

MHOWELL34

PS mine was a craigslist find as well, one that specifically "Has never made that ticking sound"

MHOWELL34

Timing chain and all the parts was around 500 dollars from amazon

New flywheel, fel pro main seal, and starter about 220ish. Problem with that is dropping the transmission, but if you know a guy you can have it all said and done for around 360 at a tranny shop, but i was nice and gave him 400 for doing it in 2 days on his weekend off. And lets just say that mf'er is HEAVY.

That's all i have really had to replace mechanically. Lisle tool is like 60 bucks, and the plugs were like 120 at advanced. Just make sure to get nickel anti seize

Oh and actuators were like 60 a peice, and VCT solenoids about the same. Got a new 4x4 solenoid for about 30, So total id say around 1200 dollars to get it fixed up and everything working right if you do it all yourself.

stcolorado

You aren't exactly guaranteed to have these problems. I think we fall victim to applying anecdotal fallacies to things as we are exposed to them, EG we post to a forum where people often come for help (ourselves included) so therefore, we see a larger percentage of people with problems rather than with out. Why would most people post without needing to do so?

These problems can strike any of the engines for sure, especially if the service record was a mystery. Mine was a gem of a steal owned by a single owner over 65 from day one until the day I took it. His service log is comprehensively completed with stamps from the Ford dealer up and down... He sold it because he had a stroke and the DMV felt he was no longer fit for driving. The truck drives much like you would expect one at about 50,000 miles to drive. I've got some loud fuel injectors and occasionally my reverse sensors claim I am hitting something when I am not, but she is otherwise perfect... I am paranoid about it because of what I see posted here regularly, but not all of the 5.4L's are promised to have these failures in their lifetime.