lemansz20

I did find a 2010 with 124000 miles, he wants more for the truck though. The issue I see is that though it has more miles, im starting to think that this higher mileage newer truck is the safer bet.

Especial86

iTrader: (1)

The 04 was the first model year and is "over engineered" compared to the later years.
There are extra vac lines, a smaller less complex FRPS, 4 cats, and an oil temp sensor in the pan to name a few 04 differences..
You will find that the problems really started in the cost cutting years of 05 and beyond, all the way to the 09-10 5.4 3v.. The head revision is meaningless after you've gotten passed the first plug change, so don't let it sway you.

Use nickle anti seize on the new plugs and use a 1/4" impact to run the old plugs out and you should avoid breakage.

Any newer VCT motor is going to have heavier maintenance requirements, including the 5.0 which is definitely just an all around better motor. It really just comes down to which generations looks you prefer the most. I personally think the 04-08's have a timeless look, where the 09-14's just don't appeal to me looks wise. I've personally held out for the 2015's, and once the economy $h1t$ the bed, I will probably scoop one up at fire sale pricing, used.. Probably in 2017...

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

Like Especial86 said, if that 2010 has the 5.4, it can have the same VCT problems (cam-phasers, chain guides, vct solenoids etc.) as a 04-08 with a 5.4.

lemansz20

You guys are awesome, I appreciate this more then youll ever understand. What im down to right now is the 80k miles 2004 4x4 with the 5.4 or one I just found thats a 2009 4x4 with 99k, but it has the 4.6 which seems to be not as powerful, but extremely reliable???

I know I havent asked much, but it seems the 4.6 is not as glamorous as the 5.4, yet seems to be a simple, really solid motor. If your looking for reliability, would you jump on the newer truck with the 99k, with the 4.6???

I dont tow ever more then 6000 lbs, and this will be a daily for about 2 years.

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

Well here we go! The 09 with the 4.6 was the first year the 4.6 had the VCT system in the F150....so you are back to square one, unless you find a early build, they can still have the 2V 4.6 motor, so you need to do some checking. Easiest way to know is look at the motor. Closest to the front of the engine on the valve covers, does it have a plug with a solenoid coming out of it with an electrical connector on it? If so, thats a 3V, which will/can be more problematic than the 2V 4.6 motor.

lemansz20

Let me see if I can hunt down some pictures of what your saying summers22, i like to be prepared as possible to be frank. lol it scares me, I know every car has its issues, but man I thought ford was a little better then this. I have had Chevy's before, and the one thing I didnt have to worry about was the motors and transmissions. (everything else lol cant vouch for, lacking in a few areas)

The fords seem to not be as reliable as I thought.

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

Well my 07 F150 with the 5.4 has 147K trouble free miles, my 07 Exdpedition with the 5.4 has 141K trouble free miles. You usually just hear about the bad ones.

Martian

05 just rolled over 138kmi. Had the famous cam phaser ticking, which I fixed, and plug change with no breaks. No issues now. Didn't have issues before either, but I did the work preemptively.

xMUDKINGx

If you can find a 04-08 4.6 2V I would suggest going that route, you are correct for saying the performance isn't quite there in comparison to the 5.4 but the 4.6 has been used in mustangs for ages so the performance part market is huge and readily available to bring it up to par with the 5.4 without the major issues like the spark plugs and the cam phaser issues.

casey.mikl

This. Also in the crown Vic's that cops beat the snot out of