kswaterfowler

I am getting away from a 2015 Ram 1500 with the Ecodiesel and I will never own another Chrysler product. Looking at an older truck for hunting/fishing/towing. I drive a 2010 Focus for commuting. Always been a Toyota guy. Found a 2010 F150 crew cab 4x4 with a 5.4 in it and 102k on it with a price I can afford (I don't do debt). What do I need to look out for on the test drive tomorrow?

txraptor

Just a couple things that come to mind:
-Check build date on driver door jamb to see if it has the "newer" style spark plugs
-Check third brake light seal and/or back of cab ceiling for water marks
-Cab corners for rusting
-Check roof drainage canals for wearing of paint
-Check for engine ticking (phaser/timing issue known to 5.4)

SharkboyEI

There are 3 things I can think to keep in mind when looking at one of these trucks. 1 is the exhaust manifolds. You need to check them and the bolts for rust. I did not do this and paid a $1400 repair bill after getting the truck (only 35,000 miles). Mine came from up north and one of the bolts rusted off creating an exhaust manifold leak. After trying to remove them, 4 of the bolts broke so the man at the shop had to pull the engine and drill them out. 2nd cam phasers. Make sure they are not knocking. From what i learned from research if it sounds like a diesel turn away. In the ford handbook, it says ticking is normal which my truck does. You will notice it at idle and going slow in a high gear running about 1000 rpm. Might need to do your homework on this because it can result in an expensive repair bill if you have the cam phaser issues. 3rd the back window issue but it is pretty common. These trucks tend to leak at the back sliding window. I thought the previous owner left the back window opened when it rained a lot but that was not the case. Turns out my 3rd brake light leaked. After a new seal from a shop down then road, I haven't ever had the issue again.

kswaterfowler

Thanks. Here is the truck I am looking at. Right color and price
http://www.zeckford.com/used/Ford/2010-Ford-F-150-Kansas-City-34746fc10a0e0adf5dc31896866292da.htm

Missmy06

You want to trade a basically brand new 2015 for a truck that is 5 years older? What did the new truck do that made you dislike it so much if you don't mind me asking?

kswaterfowler

DEF pump went out almost made us miss vacation. Rear window seal failed twice. USB chargers quit working and must be replaced. Recalls. Not to mention Chrysler Capital. We were paying extra and writing principal only on the checks. They weren't doing that. When we called them on it they screwed our account up so bad they sent us repossession letters even though we had never missed a payment and were thousands or dollars ahead. If someone told me my truck was on fire in the parking lot I would be more pissed about the sunglasses in the glove box.

I also don't want a vehicle payment when this is done.

Wanted33

It looks like a well cared for truck, and one owner is a plus. Looks like a little bump up awhile back, but apparently it didn't affect the drivability of the truck. One would think at 102K miles anything that could go wrong has, but it's always a good idea to check out every thing that has been suggested. Good luck.

kswaterfowler

I ended up passing on it. Buddy called me from work. He had an 09 that had the exhaust manifold issue. He was really leary about the engine and he is a die hard Ford guy. Everything looked good until I got to the exhaust manifold. It in my opinion they didn't look great. Had the 5.4 tick, but would've needed new tires as well. Not a bad truck but I passed on it.

Buddy that had issues with the 5.4 suggested the 4.6. I rarely tow but in the next few years was going to get another boat. It's 2 miles to one lake and I have 2 others 10 minutes away. What are the thoughts on the 4.6?

DarkChaos

how do we check if its the newer style spark plug? i thought all the 3v on all 2009 and after have this fixed?

73fxe

I've got a 2010 Scab with the 4.6 3v. 160,000 on it. Good power, MPG is 15.8. I don't have a bundle into it so I'm happy.