Teddydogno1

I just bought a 2002 XLT SuperCab 4x4 with 139,000 miles. 5.4L engine. As far as I can tell, everything is working. The truck is in good shape both outside and inside. It has a trailer brake system installed so it was likely used for at least some towing in its life. The AutoCheck report shows zero issues (score of 70 out of 70 for the age) and 3 previous owners: 1 for 7 years, then 11 years, then 6 months. Was originally purchased in Oregon, then was in Alaska for a while and then down to Washington where I live. I bought it yesterday, but have to go back to pick it up because I was there by myself.




From my Intro post ( https://www.f150forum.com/f3/intro-503372/ ):
I know it was a bad time to buy a used truck due to crazy prices. My goal was as an extra vehicle for hauling and moving stuff. I mean things like dump runs, picking up furniture that I might buy, maybe renting a light trailer once in a while, or even renting a recreational trailer for "camping". Will use it fairly regularly, but won't likely be putting a lot of miles on it. Yeah, it would make more sense to just rent a truck once in a while, but this way I can do stuff whenever I want, not when I plan it out. My mom recently passed and needing to move her stuff around and putting some of our own into storage was a key factor in buying now instead of waiting until the market cools down.

Couple of thoughts and questions:

• The truck currently wears a hard tonneau cover, which I will replace with a soft roll-up or fold-up type as I don't like how hard ones limit the height of loading. Any comments of preferred type? I have a thread in the accessories area already.
• The bed is bare and clearly shows signs of use/paint wear, but not rust. I want to put in either a spray-in liner or maybe a bed rug (I had this in my previous Canyon and loved it...made it feel like a big trunk; but is a negative if hauling dirty stuff). Any suggestions about which type is best? Rhino vs LIne-X vs other poly based? Dealer recommended a local place called "Full Metal Jacket" which seems to be a proprietary/local brand.
• The HVAC has a "whistle" that is fan-speed-dependent. Seems to be coming from the center area. Any thoughts on dealing with this? AC seems to blow cold, but not super cold.
• I presume the headlights are going to be pretty marginal. Do these trucks lend themselves to headlight upgrades? I will browse the appropriate forum, but any Gen 10 advice here is welcome.
• The brake pedal is pretty firm and takes a good bit of pressure to stop. I did not notice any tendency to lock up the rear or anything like that. It does stop. Just doesn't feel great doing it. Are these trucks known for brake issues? I do plan to have a mechanic do a check for wear and unseen issues.

I did do research about this generation F150 so I'm aware of the spark plug issue, but figure at 139k miles, it has probably already happened and been resolved, or it won't happen (famous last words). Saw some mention of some gauge/cluster issues. Not a whole lot more out there that I recall for likely common problems, other than those common to all vehicles as they age and put on miles.

Any tips on what to check now and what to watch for as I come to know the truck are welcome. This is my 4th truck: first full-size and first F150.

Comments are welcome!

Rob

Teddydogno1

Remembered other questions...

• It has a sliding rear window, which I have heard are super easy to open from the outside and are therefore a major security issue. Any way to secure it?
• only came with 1 key and fob. Are these fairly easy to get new ones? Or are they security keys that require programing? (In my 2010 Camaro, since I had one working fob, I was able to easily program an additional replacement when the buttons wore out on the one I used for 10 years).

Rob

Mac M

looks clean! low mileage for the year. with some basic maintenance and some TLC i'd expect you to drive that for years to come.

I have a 2000 XLT SC 4x4 with 280,700 that i have owned since 03/04. Just changed the transmission fluid and filter yesterday. I still have original starter, alternator and water pump. I had to replace the intake manifold at 220,000.I also had to replace the ABS module and HCU.The module went bad first, stayed on all the time, had to disconnect, then the HCU started to leak. I found a suitable replacement at the local pick a part for $55. No abs light , no leak and no soft pedal. I recommend changing plugs between every 24,000-30,000 to prevent the plugs from being thrown. With some ot the odometer readings i've seen on this site and the way my truck is running, I hope to drive it for years to come.

I hope you enjoy your truck as much as I have.

Could you tell me what she went for in that market?

Johnny Paycheck

There is no need to throw in new plugs every couple of years. Torque the plugs for these Tritons passed 27 ft/lbs and you’re good. Heck, in the 30s range will do. Ford’s initial recommendation was something silly like 11 ft/lbs, which allowed hilarity to ensue.

That aside, I upgraded my ‘03’s headlamps to the STX/Lightning versions that don’t have the diffusers in the lenses. Then, I realized they shouldn’t be aimed so close to where they mix in with the fog lights on the road. Much better.

I have a flareside, so I can’t make a particular recommendation for covers. I tried roll-ups at first, but I don’t think they like spray-on liners and the bed rail covers. So, I went with the soft fold-up and we coexist peacefully.

I also have a rear slider. No issues with thievery. In before the jinx.

AC issues...could be a bearing in the blower, could be something that has fallen down the vent and that’s what the air is blowing passed. Who knows. As for the “cool, but not cold”, probably not a leak or it would be nothing but hot air by now. I’d look at cleaning off the condenser and my next hunch would be a failing expansion valve. But, the latter is going to be a shop visit.

Teddydogno1

I paid $10,500 for the truck. Had been shopping for a couple of weeks and it was the most reasonable deal I found for a truck without a lot of issues. I looked at and drove a 2005 on Sunday that was the same asking price and 125k miles, but it had peeling clearcoat and electrical gremlins (like the driver's window going down, but not back up in the pouring rain).

The whistle in the AC sounds like wind blowing past something vs. a bearing. It doesn't happen when the flow is directed to the Defrost and/or Floor. Just panel. I wonder if there is a diverter in the ducts that could be causing that.

I'll probably post my questions about specific issues in other sections as it seems there is not a ton of traffic in this one.

Pics of the truck at home. You can see why I have previously bought compact or mid-size trucks. My driveway is very short! It won't hang out into the alley if I put it a foot closer to the door, though. Gonna take me a while to become comfortable with where all the corners and edges are when I drive this.

maco

Good looking trk !!....all good answers above....Boy times have changed you would have paid your $10500 for that trk back in around 2010 or so ??
My 02 went 647000km's (402048 miles)....blew out 4 plugs if I remember right......After I retired it from a work trk I kept it as a weekend coffee run trk for + a year then traded it in on an 08 got $2500,oo) for it....
Suggest a OEM type plastic box liner from a local auto wreckers (lest than a $100.) ....will save the scratches & wear & tear & super easy to clean @ local car wash etc. My thought only but a sprayed in type liner will wear & tear every time you throw something in it especially on dump runs ??
Change the tranny fluid & filter...I put a pan drain plug in mine on initial change then every 4-5 oil changes I would drain the pan only; then top off with new fluid......I also did 5000km oil changes....good to go.....normal brake & front end parts etc. as needed........Good Luck !!

terryj1517

Nice looking F150, there are a lot of aftermarket headlight upgrades for these rigs. I have a 2001 F150 XLT and I changed out the cloudy headlights with the Harley Davison edition headlights.

RVT1KR

Nice truck! Regarding the AC making a whistling sound... My 97 did the same for a while until I figured out that the passenger side vent (furthest to the right) was closed HAHAHA. Check it to make sure it's open. The toggle was in the closed position and I didn't realize it. I opened it up and no more whistling sound. LOL

Teddydogno1

Thanks. I'll check that next time.

Thanks for the other thoughts guys. A nearby junk yard has a Ford drop in bed liner for $75. Gonna see if I can work out the logistics on that.

Dealer want $110 to programprogram and fob, PLUS the hardware. One locksmith wants $75 to program a key. Seems needlessly expensive. Have already ordered 2 keys and 2 fobs for $20. Fob programming is easy.

Also have a Haynes manual on the way.

Rob

Teddydogno1

You win a cookie! Actually the only vent that WASN'T closed was the far right. As I opened each vent, the whistle got lower and lower, until I opened the far left and BOOM! No whistle! And, the A/C works great and blows plenty cold! Even "closed", they blew enough to make me think they were open.

Rob