Help Narrow My F150 Search
 

Hey everybody, new guy here. This is a great resource you've built here.

I hope you can help me with some specific questions.

I'm looking for a 2004-2008 model. I'm trying to keep my purchase price below $15000, so that is pushing the age up, but I'm finding some '05-'06 models with surprisingly low miles (around 70k.)

First: Must be 4x4 and after driving both V8's I have to get the 5.4L - what year/mileage should I prioritize to avoid spark plug and cam phaser issues?

Second: I'd be happy with either a scab or screw, but I'd prefer a 6.5' box.

• What screw models have 6.5' box?
• What scab models have 6.5' box?

This'll be my first truck since I was in high school when I drove an '85 F250 460. Thanks in advance for your help!

04 and 05 had cam problems. All of them up to something like a september build date in 07 had plug seizing issues.

The box size you will just have to look for pysically in pictures a lot of the time. Used lots cant be famaliar with every trim, packages, models, sizes, etc of every car they get. So a 6.5', often, isn't listed in the details. I wantes a screw with 6.5' and noticed this lot.

I also wantes a Lariat and found not even that was listed correctly sometimes. Had it titled in the ad as a XLT. Even though RIGHT in their pictures it has Lariat in the dash cluster

Autotrader was my resource for looking. Searchtempest is good to. Searches all craigalist cities in a certain radius. Lastly clapp is a phone app thats similar to Searchtempest but it lets you select up to 5 specific cities.

Great info, very helpful.

A salesman told me they suggest replacing the plugs every 60k to avoid seizing. If I follow that schedule should I expect to be avoid seized plugs regardless of year? Or should I check them more frequently?

Is there a trick to tell the difference between the 5.5 and 6.5 box? It's hard for me to tell just looking at the picture.

Searchtempest is great. I didn't know about that search engine.

5.5 bed is 145" WB

6.5 bed is 157"

The rear wheel well is nearly against the passenger cab on 5.5' while 6.5' has a foot or better of box between wheel arch and cab. Its hard to notice till you catch on to that space there.

if you are trying to avoid problems, going with the 5.4 probably isn't your best shot

Honestly the 5.5' box looks a bit better proportionally. But I use my truck so the box space was as important as anything else I wanted. There was a REALLY sharp looking white fx4 with less miles I liked but it had 5.5' box and I knew id regret everytime I loaded something and couldn't close the gate.

https://www.etis.ford.com

Go to the vehicle tab on top and theres a place to put in a vin number. Itll tell you4 every detail and option under that vin number.

This was where Autotrader was great since most listings had vin numbers.

Searchtempest is good to find "that cant pass up deal" if its out there. Since its free to list on Craigslist, and you dont have to go to each city 1 by 1 and search again and again.

I found mime on autotrader at a dealer 8 hours 1 way but only 2 hours from family so we visited them and stayed the weekend.

Are you telling me to get a Tundra or re-think the 4.6?