What model year, motor, and mileage for under $5000?
03-02-2017, 10:10 PM
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What model year, motor, and mileage for under $5000?
I'm in the market for an older f150 with a soft limit of $5000. Looking at craiglist results, $5000 seems to put me around an early to mid 2000s truck. The truck will be a second vehicle - backup "rental", bad winter snow days, hauling large items, large public events to avoid any dings on main vehicle, etc.
What model years, motor pairing, and mileage should I shoot for in the $5000 range?
** 5.4 L Triton seems to be the most available engine choice, but hit/miss with problems. What years should I stay away from on these? What mileage should I aim to stay under if going with a 5.4L? Or go with a different motor altogether?
What model years, motor pairing, and mileage should I shoot for in the $5000 range?
** 5.4 L Triton seems to be the most available engine choice, but hit/miss with problems. What years should I stay away from on these? What mileage should I aim to stay under if going with a 5.4L? Or go with a different motor altogether?
Last edited by dtbingle; 03-02-2017 at 10:35 PM.
03-03-2017, 12:02 AM
#2
Welcome to the forum. Since you mention snow, I assume you are looking at a 4X4, is that correct?
2004-2008 is the newer body style, when I was looking at trucks, the 2003 and earlier, or 2004 heritage (still 2003 body style) trucks were cheaper.
As far as I know the two main issues frequently discussed here with the 3-Valve (2004+) is the variable valve timing system (phasers, oil tensioners, solenoids) and the stuck spark plugs, which Lisle makes a tool to fix, usually not a big deal if you have the tool.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the 2003 and earlier 2-Valve trucks don't have phaser problems like the 3-V, at least not at the frequency of the 3-V.
2004-2008 is the newer body style, when I was looking at trucks, the 2003 and earlier, or 2004 heritage (still 2003 body style) trucks were cheaper.
As far as I know the two main issues frequently discussed here with the 3-Valve (2004+) is the variable valve timing system (phasers, oil tensioners, solenoids) and the stuck spark plugs, which Lisle makes a tool to fix, usually not a big deal if you have the tool.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the 2003 and earlier 2-Valve trucks don't have phaser problems like the 3-V, at least not at the frequency of the 3-V.
03-03-2017, 08:45 AM
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Welcome to the forum. Since you mention snow, I assume you are looking at a 4X4, is that correct?
2004-2008 is the newer body style, when I was looking at trucks, the 2003 and earlier, or 2004 heritage (still 2003 body style) trucks were cheaper.
As far as I know the two main issues frequently discussed here with the 3-Valve (2004+) is the variable valve timing system (phasers, oil tensioners, solenoids) and the stuck spark plugs, which Lisle makes a tool to fix, usually not a big deal if you have the tool.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the 2003 and earlier 2-Valve trucks don't have phaser problems like the 3-V, at least not at the frequency of the 3-V.
2004-2008 is the newer body style, when I was looking at trucks, the 2003 and earlier, or 2004 heritage (still 2003 body style) trucks were cheaper.
As far as I know the two main issues frequently discussed here with the 3-Valve (2004+) is the variable valve timing system (phasers, oil tensioners, solenoids) and the stuck spark plugs, which Lisle makes a tool to fix, usually not a big deal if you have the tool.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the 2003 and earlier 2-Valve trucks don't have phaser problems like the 3-V, at least not at the frequency of the 3-V.
4X4 would be nice, but honestly a good set of snow tires works fine on the roads around here (mid-michigan). Either 4wd or 2wd is fine.
Perfect! That's what I was also seeing through a few google searches, but it's sometimes hard to sift through the "Anti-Ford" crowd BS and get reliable info.
Do you think the 04-08 problems are frequent enough to limit my search to '03 and earlier? Also, what mileage should I stay under when looking at trucks with the triton?
03-03-2017, 10:09 AM
#4
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You are looking at a pretty high mileage 2000+ up truck for that budget which may not matter to you a lot with how you describe your use. I'd look for the cleanest lowest mileage F150 and not worry about how its equiped.
03-03-2017, 02:23 PM
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Seems like the '97-99' towing capacity varies quite a bit depending on how it's equipped and 2000-2003 are all at least 5k lb towing. Is this correct or does google towing result lie?
03-03-2017, 03:49 PM
#6
Yeah the 3v had those problems but not the 2 valve or 4.6. I had a 3v 5.4 ambit was great to me. Only thing I ever did was oil and plugs and ignition coils. I took care of it.
O.P maybe a 99 _ 03. Just search around, something needing a few repairs etc.. 4x4 automatically drives price up.
O.P maybe a 99 _ 03. Just search around, something needing a few repairs etc.. 4x4 automatically drives price up.
03-03-2017, 04:21 PM
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Yeah the 3v had those problems but not the 2 valve or 4.6. I had a 3v 5.4 ambit was great to me. Only thing I ever did was oil and plugs and ignition coils. I took care of it.
O.P maybe a 99 _ 03. Just search around, something needing a few repairs etc.. 4x4 automatically drives price up.
O.P maybe a 99 _ 03. Just search around, something needing a few repairs etc.. 4x4 automatically drives price up.
Likewise, googling the 2000 shows 5000 to 8800 lbs.
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03-03-2017, 06:57 PM
#10
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I would prefer a 00-03 4.6 or 5.4 2V truck over an 04+ 5.4 3V truck any day... the 3V can be good trucks if maintained religiously, but the 2V stuff didn't have any phasers, solenoids, etc to worry about.
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