Hello all,
So my step father purchased this 98 xl with 4.2 V6 that was built in April of 98, thankfully after they fixed the intake manifold gasket issue.

He started to loose his vision soon after buying it, and it was only driven every couple of weeks for a bit, and was mostly garaged it's whole life. The heater core hose rotted, draining coolant in the garage, and the family gave it to me because nobody wanted it.

It has 64k miles now, 56k when I got it a year ago. I have done a ton of maintenance on it, including basically all fluids, fuel filter, engine air filter, plugs, wires, Battery, Heater core Hose and upper radiator hose, rear brake cylinders, front brake rotors and pads, thermostat.

She has been running great after a lot of TLC.

This week though, I felt the brakes feel like they were catching, long story short I know I need new calipers. I am going to replace the brake lines that are attached to the calipers as well.

I want to be able to trust my old girl as best I can, what preventative maintenance would you do to a 25 year old truck that has mostly original parts on it?

My first thoughts was the serpentine belt, not sure about brake master cylinder.

It was from Georgia, but I just moved to upstate new york, I have coated the underside with crc cosmoline in hopes of preventing rust as best I can, as it basically has none.

Thanks so much!

1998 F-150 XL 64k Miles

 

That's a real nice truck!

Seems like you got everything except maybe the belt the lower rad hose. Otherwise, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, I say.

 

Thanks!
Yes I forgot to mention that I plan to do the lower radiator hose, I kick myself for not doing it a few months ago before moving north, but I was in a rush, forgot, and got done what I could quickly.

 

Might as well start collecting information about isolator bolts and camshaft position synchronizers. Those are two common 4.2 problems. I had the first at about 76,000 miles and the second at about 90,000. The parts are getting harder to find, so if you are a thorough planner you might even pick them up if you find a good price.

 

Those rubber brake lines on the front might look good on the outside but be collapsed on the inside.
Mine lasted 20 years, I did a brake job and replaced all but the lines. When I went to bleed I couldn't bleed one of them.
Also check ALL your metal brake lines good,
I replaced all of mine, the crap they toss on the road in the winter really eats them up here in the Northeast.

 

Great looking F150 for being 25 years old, good luck on your repairs.

 

How old are the tires ? If they are the original, it's time to replace them.

 

Thanks, I will start looking into those!

 

Thanks, yes I read those rubber brake lines can be an issue, I got replacements ready to go on when I change the calipers!
I also plan to clean off the metal brake lines and hit them with cosmoline, that will hopefully protect them for a while from the salt.

 

Yes the ones that were on it were scary, I replaced them just after I was given the truck. Thanks!