Octane

The '04+ F-150s are really solidly-built trucks. They have easily the strongest frame and strongest driveline their is.
As was said, the only real issue has to do with sparkplugs on the Triton engines. On the 4.6L they can sometimes pop out of the head and on the 5.4L its pretty easy to either strip the threads or to break the sparkplugs while removing it.
If you dont really need a 4x4 and dont do a lot of heavy hauling, Id strongly consider getting one with a V6. The V6 really doesnt have any issues and for something that is mostly a daily driver, 220 hp is plenty of power.

woodman

I have been told to make sure that when you change the plugs that the engine is cold, that way yhe aluminum threads do not get stripped out.

Octane

On the 3-valve engines Ford wants the engine to be warm and they want you to use a penetrating lubricant on the sparkplugs.

kdr358

mines a beast, i beat on it towing cable to bobcats on the orignal motor and trans with 152k on it, same with my 95

stumpjumper

In order to stay out of trouble I am just going to say beware of the paint & the 5.4 engine.

Octane

Ive got 174,000 on my '99 and its still going strong.

Amen to that. You could say the same about any Triton engine though. Even the old 2-valve Tritons have a reputation for the sparkplugs shooting out of the heads. Its a shame really, because the Tritons are good engines for the most part. Ive personally seen E-Series vans with Triton engines that had well over 500,000 miles on them that still ran strong. Plus, I know those vans spent a lot of time idling, so who knows how many hours of runtime were actually on those engines.
Thats partly why Im leaning towards a 4x2 regular cab XL with a V6 for my next truck. I dont really do a lot of heavy hauling, so a V6 will do everything I need and it seems like the V6 has a lot fewer problems than does the V8s...

BIGSUMMIT

Welcome Attack998:

2004 was big year for full size trucks, especially Ford.

While shopping for my truck about a month ago I found this article from 2004 where Edmunds did a complete review and ranking of all full size trucks as of 2004 (Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Nissan, Toyota).

Obviously I went with the Ford. I don't like the looks of the Titans (cab is too tall). I drove and liked the Dodge 1500 Hemi, but I wasn't in love, especially with how small the back seat was. The Chevy for obvious reasons was never in the running and until about a year and a half ago the Tundra was the redheaded step child of the full size truck world. Once I drove the Ford I knew that was my truck. By far the most comfortable to drive and ride in and just feels like a more well made truck. In my opinion the Ford is overall a superior truck.

Hope this helps.

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta...8/pageNumber=2

al73mustang

What can I say they said it all I love my F-150 great truck!!!

Octane

Some would say that it still is. Toyota still hasnt gotten it right...

Triton v8

I agree. I still hate the way that truck looks.