1997-2003 Reliability
resident post whore
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 102,624
Likes: 62
From: Montrose SD
FYI to anyone wanting to listen, when you buy those aftermarket coil packs, because of the higher spark rating and the way in which they are wound, you give up coil pack life for extra spark. This is NOT needed in an auto truck that doesn't push 6500 rpm. ..and you don't need motorcraft.
Do you mean, your engine keeps giving you troubles or other the things? I'd imagine after the head gasket goes and normal maintenance the norm would be just part replacements.
OP,
Another thing to consider is how differently everyone drives and the tasks people ask of their trucks. For a family truck like mine, I'll probably have less issues than say someone who trails their truck. Everyone's responses will be different based on their use, so you can't really take our responses as gospel.
Hub, bearings, head gaskets & transmissions are all common replacements for high mileage trucks.
Do you mean, your engine keeps giving you troubles or other the things? I'd imagine after the head gasket goes and normal maintenance the norm would be just part replacements.
OP,
Another thing to consider is how differently everyone drives and the tasks people ask of their trucks. For a family truck like mine, I'll probably have less issues than say someone who trails their truck. Everyone's responses will be different based on their use, so you can't really take our responses as gospel.
Hub, bearings, head gaskets & transmissions are all common replacements for high mileage trucks.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 32
From: Atlanta, GA
98 3-door Lariat, w/4.6 (no COPs): Between 120 and 130K, I replaced shocks, all wheel bearings, upper and lower control arms. Plugs and wires changed, and plugs showed even wear with no oil fouling. Removing differential cover showed a little clutch, but not bad. I also installed an Edge Evo programmer, as I was getting lean codes, even after tune up.
Bottom line, the only thing that sux on my truck is the paint! Clear coat wore off on roof, over doors, and tailgate. That's it! Extremely reliable vehicle, with no leaks or drips. It gets mid 14s in MPG, but I guess that's average for a 6,000 lb truck. I'm the 2nd owner, but 100K of the miles are mine, and I check & replace fluids at schedule. And, the only Gen 10 F-150s I ever see at a junkyard are because of a wreck...not because the owner gave up on maintenance.
Bottom line, the only thing that sux on my truck is the paint! Clear coat wore off on roof, over doors, and tailgate. That's it! Extremely reliable vehicle, with no leaks or drips. It gets mid 14s in MPG, but I guess that's average for a 6,000 lb truck. I'm the 2nd owner, but 100K of the miles are mine, and I check & replace fluids at schedule. And, the only Gen 10 F-150s I ever see at a junkyard are because of a wreck...not because the owner gave up on maintenance.
Title
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,672
Likes: 499
From: USA
If you own the truck for multiple years, you can perform maintenance and repairs over the course of your ownership and it will make it seem that the truck wasn't that bad.
Here is a different perspective...I figured the cost of my car to own from when I purchased until when I sold was approximately 20 cents per mile. My Explorer was around 45 cents per mile. I figure the truck will be around 35-40 cents per mile.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 163
From: Missouri Ozarks & Clay Country GA
On the '97 up to at least the '02 (mine), there is the WINDSHIELD LEAK issue that can cause the Generic Electronic Module (GEM) to fail, causing weird problems such as heater fan running with keys out of truck while engine is not running, etc., crazy things happening with electronics. My '02 5.4 is having this issue right now. Dealer cost is about $700, eBay part (GEM) is about $135, and it is kind of a bear to replace.
Okay, so here are the issues I have or have read about:
1. Water leaks as mentioned
2. Manifold issues someone mentioned
3. Spark plug, COP hard to replace, sometimes plugs stripping out or blowing out of heads.
4. Differential a tad weak
At least, this is what I have noticed as reoccurring problems. What I like to do is research forums of all makes to kind of learn what problems real drivers are having - the kind of problems that seem to be manufacturing/design flaws that keep coming up. For our F150s, the above are about it. To me, the worst issue is water leaking around windshield. Seems to me, Ford could have figured out how to seal a windshield by now. And, this problem is so frequent that is is definitely a quality control issue.
Anyway, after all my research a few years ago when I needed a newer truck led me to my F150!
Okay, so here are the issues I have or have read about:
1. Water leaks as mentioned
2. Manifold issues someone mentioned
3. Spark plug, COP hard to replace, sometimes plugs stripping out or blowing out of heads.
4. Differential a tad weak
At least, this is what I have noticed as reoccurring problems. What I like to do is research forums of all makes to kind of learn what problems real drivers are having - the kind of problems that seem to be manufacturing/design flaws that keep coming up. For our F150s, the above are about it. To me, the worst issue is water leaking around windshield. Seems to me, Ford could have figured out how to seal a windshield by now. And, this problem is so frequent that is is definitely a quality control issue.
Anyway, after all my research a few years ago when I needed a newer truck led me to my F150!
Montani Semper Liberi
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 265
Likes: 9
From: West Virginia
I just bought my '02 FX4 screw back in December, just turned over 53,000 miles this morning. I had new fuel pump and new tires installed last week, and I installed a new sway bar end link back in January when the old one snapped off on the drivers side.
I think these are the first few things to be replaced on this truck, not bad for 11 years old. I'll be needing ball joints and tie rod ends on both sides soon than later as the rubber seals are torn and joints dry.... still silent and smooth for now.
I think these are the first few things to be replaced on this truck, not bad for 11 years old. I'll be needing ball joints and tie rod ends on both sides soon than later as the rubber seals are torn and joints dry.... still silent and smooth for now.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 547
Likes: 12
From: California
1) power steering pump leak
2) oil filter adapter plate leak
3) exhaust leak again
4) pitman arm problems
5) rear shocks are going out
6) coils are in bad shape because my truck is running rough and shuttering even after replacing everything last year
And this is all so far in the last two months. Mind you, I haven't off roaded in over a year and i rarely get on it. I've always done scheduled maintanence since I bought it with 86k miles. It now has 123, 000
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,831
Likes: 88
From: SK, Canada
Personally, 1998. It's the model year after the start of the Gen 10's. 4.6 with still plug wires. It may be a little under powered, but the bugs were worked out after the first year. In 99 they came out with PI heads and started having COP problems. JMO. Although, I wish it had the 4 opening doors, and not the 3. That was the thing I liked best about the 99's and newer.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 6
I have a 2000 4x4 clot w/ 5.4l with 130k an I only replaced the lower ball joint, the rear driver cat needs replaced and a rattle some place but its been a trooper through snow rain dirt and pullin trailers with heavy loads
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 894
Likes: 34
From: Marysville, MI/ Las Vegas, NV
I've got an '03 5.4 with 133k, only have replaced the battery and rear U-joint so far, changing plugs, wires and cops, upper and lower ball joints, both front hubs and inner/outer tie rods this weekend. Nothing wrong really, Just starting to squeak and ABS light came on, and I hate squeaking...
