Hello,

I'm new to the forum and needed to get opinions and/or advice. I'm looking at several different brands of trucks within the 97-03 time frame and since I used to own a Ranger and it was a very reliable truck, I thought I'd start with the F150.

I'm planning to buy a used truck in October and judging by what's available in my price range (especially being in Texas where trucks are in demand, thus values are high) which is roughly between $3,000-$6,000 I've found that almost all of the trucks range from between 100k-250k miles.

Most used vehicles aren't reliable with maintenance records and obviously most people aren't honest about their history, so what should I look for? How many miles are too many for this truck? I've read that putting a new motor in the truck could run between $3-5k, which I could theoretically do sometime next Spring, would the F150 be worth the hassle? I'm looking for something that can be my daily driver for the next 10 years (obviously it won't be perfect that long, but doing small repairs and getting things fixed when they break aren't a big deal for me.)

I'm not really a fan of foreign trucks, so I'm most definately looking between the F-150/250, Silverado 1500/2500, and Rams 1500.

I know this forum is the authority on F-150's and would really welcome the advice if anyone is kind enough to provide any. When it comes to stuff like this, I'm amateur at best.

Thanks!

 

Unfortunatly, you are buying a truck right at the start of winter, so the prices are going to get jacked up.

Anyway, when I was looking for my truck I wanted anything with under 170k miles, and when I crawled under there, I didnt want to see leaking fluids, and when I pulled on crap I didnt want it to move. However, I bought the truck for 5k, put probably 3k more into repairs, another 5k into after market parts, right now my rear end is about to go out on me. The only thing I would say is if you find one you like, get a private mechanic to look at it, and have them give you their opinion on it.

 

No salt in Texas right? Lucky dog. Listen, I'll tell it to you straight. Buy private party and buy something with at least some maintenance records. It'll save you green. 100-150k max. That is the time when things start to go, but with good maint you can prolong major failures. I'm talking engine, rear end and tramsmission. Front suspension will be getting worn and parts should be replaced or will need replacing soon, no biggie. $400 max if you do it yourself, $1500 for a shop. Start looking now and be ready to buy when you find it.

There will be guys that say "I bought my truck at 260k miles...it'll go at least another 3 million". Ignore them, they're idots. They don't know squat and cannot tell the future. Used is a gamble. Visit a junk yard. 130k-300k is what you'll find on the trucks. 200-250k is when people decide major repairs aren't worth the cost of the truck and get rid of it.

Don't worry about a new motor, you won't need it. Stay on top of issues. Have a shop check potential trucks. $100 for a check up could save you a 2k head gasket repair.

Check the trans fluid, if you see any metal or dark brown fluid, walk away. Listen to the engine. Quiet is good, a little tick OK, a knock or loud tick, walk away. Check the common things you can visually. Look under the oil cap and down the hole. Clean for the most part? Or dark all over? How's the suspension? Grease zerks means parts have been replaced. Shiny parts, been replaced. Exhaust manifolds. Original or rusty? Not a big deal eitherway, $250 a side. 4x4 work? Engage/disengage well? Turn tight, no chattering from the rear? Good. Moans on the highway? Walk away. Hit pot holes. No clunk, clunk or pops? Good.

If you find one and notice any potential issues, post on here. We can advise you. Good luck.

 

Thanks guys!

I appreciate the information. Is there any particular year, model, or motor that's better than others?

 

Private party purchase, I'd prefer buying from a older person, they tend to baby them which is great most the times.

A private purchase from a guy that used the truck for his job like contracting, I'd stay away from, they tend to run them till the wheels are ready to fall off most times from personal experience.

Agree the engines are pretty tough, so just look for the normal wear and tear signs.

The dodges, personal experience stay away from the 1994's and up to the 1999's they have bad reputations on the tranny's going out and 4x4 problems!

The Chevys in my opinion are good, but my first choice is the f150

 

Motor wise the 5.4 had issues with blowing spark plugs,no biggie if the plugs are gapped and put in properly. I don't know much about the 4.2 other than it had head gasket issues. Both the 4.6 and 5.4 like to kill coils,but they are easy to exchange and don't cost much. Try to get a truck 150k or less,check all the fluids like you would any other vehicle. One thing you might run into is the odometer that goes out,when its out it still records mileage so the mileage will be true when it comes on,if its out when you test drive just ride around awhile and the display will be back. I know a lot of these trucks have exempt mileage on the title from that issue and mine does too. First thing I would do after you buy a truck is change the fluid in the rear end,change oil and transmission fluid,go ahead change the spark plugs etc. These trucks really only like motor craft spark plugs and coil packs,put in a different spark plug and you might have skips. If you change rear in fluid check and see if you have limited slip,if you do add friction modifier. Royal purple has friction modifier in it already but its suggested to add more.

 

Late 2002, 2003 or 2004 heritage. They have Pi heads. Some have more threads in the heads to help prevent blow out like jacked mentioned.

 

I like the 2000 and up models myself, as fir motor not much experience because the 2 f150's I have had my adult life just lasted so long there for I didn't get a chance to play with much, right now I'm still driving my f150 5 speed with the 4.2 v6.

The ford lightning engine is the strongest last I knew!

 

When I owned my Ranger, I only used Motorcraft parts/fluids. Is the differential fluid change interval the same as the Ranger? I was just about to get to changing it at the 150k mile mark when the transmission died and I sold it.

 

My mother owned a 5.4 2005 and I believe it had a problem with the plugs breaking off, which years have that problem? 04-08?