I am going into the market for a new truck. I am really liking the looks and quality of the 04+ f150s. I would love to have a 2011 with the newer engines, but I am not able to afford that right now... So I am looking for a truck within the 04-08 range.

I have a buddy with a 05 f150, and has seemed to be an alright truck. He has had to replace tie rod ends, and his was a spark plug nightmare breaking 7 of the 8 plugs. How ever I just love the way it rides, handles, drives, the overall quality of the interior compared to Chevys.

I usually do not like to buy first year products, so I would normally not even consider a 2004. I know sometimes 1st year products are just fine. Where there any real changes over the years of 04-08 that made a certain year a significantly better/ more reliable truck?

So far I am looking at all of the common problems with these trucks and I already new there were big issues with spark plugs... I'm not worried about that. Cam phasers I also learned are a common issue, but is it that significant? From what i've read it really only causes a tick and there is no other side effects from a bad cam phaser.

There are a ton of these trucks on the road, so I know that they can not be that bad. I have a bunch of die hard chevy friends that are telling me to stay away from these things. Id like to prove them wrong.

If I were to buy a f150 with around like 80-90k miles would it be a safe bet to say id have a truck that would last me another 5-6 years and go to 160kish miles? Obviously when maintained and treated correctly?

Thanks!

 

06-08 thats where I would look.

 

love my 06. bought with appr 70K on it and paid $17K. added a 50K mile drivetrain warranty through the dealer that I am hoping is a waste of money.

 

There's been a lot of this type of information thats been posted here on this subject. Try searching on key words like "model year" or "model difference". It's been awhile but this type question has come up before.

 

What's your budget?

 

Id like to spend around 15-17k.

 

if you are going to spend that much you can get an 06-08. that way you avoid the spark plugs and cam phaser issues. i have seen several of those model years that are a lariat or FX4 at the 16k price range.

 

Ok, from my research so far...

On the 06 trucks w/ 5.4L Ford had the cam phaser problem figured out. Correct?

On the 08 trucks w/5.4L Ford had the spark plug problem figured out. Correct?

I can't really find much useful info when seaching... Only threads where people are talking about problems with their trucks (most of which are long, and very unappealing).

 

Ok good! Thats what I really wanted to know... 06-08 are the better of the trucks.