This is my first post, but I have lurking reading up on the F150s. I have had many Fords along with a couple of trucks. I have been driving GM trucks for the last 11 years. I have been looking at a 04 F150 4X4 with 80K and a good price. It is the newer body style and has the 5.4. I am concerned with the cam phaser and spark plug issues. The plug issue looks to be fixable with a little time and knowledge. The phaser while being fixable, seems to be a reoccurring issue. So, I have a three questions.

1. Should I buy this 04 with known issues that will need to be addressed?

2. Buy a newer one that does not have the issues?

3. If I buy newer, how new do I need to look? 08, 09 or newer than that?

This looks to be a great fourm with very knowledgeable members. I learned a lot in the last two weeks I was lurking.

Thanks in advance

 

Well, alot of 2004's have problems, just because they are the first year of a totally new truck. It's a hit or miss. You could buy an 04 with these problems, just make sure they are compensated with a lower price. sparkplugs, depending on how many break can run you up to $1000 at the dealer. Not sure about the cost to replace cam phasers. The cam plaser problem is in the 2004-2005 F-150's. The spark plug problems are 2004-mid 2007. When buying any F-150, check everything, beware of drive-line clunks/vibrations, and make sure the 4x4 works, alot of people seem to have problems with it. Look over it good. There's nothing wrong with buying a 2004, just as long as the price is low enough to leave you with money for if anything breaks.

 

Have a trusted mechanic do a full inspection on whatever you show interest in and make it a part of your offer to buy. They can't see everything, but did save me around $800 on another vehicle, and had some more work done by the dealer as a part of purchase. Well worth the hour of labor I paid the mechanic.

 

This is the best advice given for this topic, and for any purchase of a used vehicle.