A little truck advice (used truck purchase)

[georgiajim]

Would like to here yall's opinion on the following:

2002 - 2004 F150 Extended Cab 5.4 4wd - I am personally a big fan and have had a bunch of buddies that have said model with 150k miles and no issues. I am in the process of looking for one with lower miles and haven't had much success yet.

2004 - 2005 F150 Extended Cab 5.4 4wd 6.5 ft bed (i.e. new body style). What is the word on the street with this model???? Seems to be quite a few at a resonable price with low (under 25k miles)

Note - I am not brand specific, but my last new truck was another major brand and had some significant issues (weird brake issues, a transmission that would never shift quite right - new valve body at 10k miles - new tranny at 70k.... etc etc. Gonna pass on this brand for this go round. This is why I am not looking at other brands (however if I could find an extend cab 96-98 extended cab vortec 4wd z71 with low miles I would jump on it).

Not looking at Toyota's because it about impossible to find a used one with lower miles a resonable price.

Chickenhauler?ToyotaTechGuy?yes even cowboychevy your comments are requested.

[loufish]

The 2004 was a new model series, sheetmetal change along with a much stronger engine(5.4L w/3 valves per cyl 300 hp)

I would try to get the model with the lowest miles. I personally like Fords trucks, so I'm a little biased towards them...

[Bakemono]

Ford makes nice trucks. Id personally go with an '03 or older because IMO its a better truck than the '04 or newer F-150s. The '04 and newers are heavier and dont get anywhere near as good fuel economy as the '03 or older models and just seem kinda sluggish.

As to Toyota, yes they do cost more, but you are also getting a better quality vehicle that will last longer with fewer repairs and will be worth more when you go to sell it. I feel your pain about the added cost of buying a Toyota, but Ford, GM and Chrysler cant match Toyota in terms of quality, dependability and resale value.

[Stroker06]

I think you should just forget about 1/2 ton pickups all together. The transmission issues you experienced are because all modern 1/2T pickups are just cars with a box.

I think you can do a lot better with a 3/4 or 1 Ton diesel. I prefer a Dodge with the Cummins, but most will do and even if it has more than 150k on the ticker they will usually run another 150k before touching them. Just make sure the rest of the truck is in good working order before buying.

I currently have a 2003 Ram3500 4x4 QuadCab Long Bed with 88k and the only issue so far has been a bad carrier bearing and a weak power steering pump. ( I run big tires )

I have found it to cost around the same as a 1/2T as well in my area if you go with one that may be 2-3 years older than the 1/2T model. As for fuel cost you should experience around 10-25% better than a gas engine. I currently get 20 city and 24 hwy.

I hope this helps and good luck to you.

[loufish]

I think you should just forget about 1/2 ton pickups all together. The transmission issues you experienced are because all modern 1/2T pickups are just cars with a box.

Not bad, only took 3 posts to start "bashing" 1/2 ton

trucks ?

Your statement above was a ignorant generalization( I'm NOT saying you're ignorant...just the statement) based on what?

Todays 1/2 ton has most older 3/4 ton trucks beat in just about every catagory, and I can quote all sorts of trans issues in 3/4 ton trucks, but that would only be a small percentage of them out there so why bring it up...

The O/P was asking about 1/2 ton trucks and doesn't need wives tales about them being grocery getters...I can also tell you here in So. Kalifornia the 3/4 -1 ton diesel trucks hold there value very well meaning the price difference can be quite a bit.

[Chickenhauler]

The Ford's you're interested have a great track record for reliability, as long as the maintenance is performed on time, and the prior owners didn't abuse them (off-road, overloading, etc)

There was some complaints about slight motor noise from the top end on the 3 valve motors, but it was found to be due to more moving parts in the valve train, and not anything that was falling apart.

The best thing you can do when you find one you're interested in, is take it to mechanic you trust and spend $100 and have a thorough used truck inspection performed. Any seller that will not allow this to be done, walk away-they are trying to hide something.

[Rip Wheeler]

The 2004 was a new model series, sheetmetal change along with a much stronger engine(5.4L w/3 valves per cyl 300 hp)

I would try to get the model with the lowest miles. I personally like Fords trucks, so I'm a little biased towards them...

I'm with Loufish, the 2004 also did better on crach test than the "Heritage" design I think they called it. I'm not a Ford fan, but know they make a decent truck. A buddy of mine has a 2006 Lincoln Mark LT truck, basically an extremely fancy F150 4WD, and its super nice and comfy to ride in. If you like it, then roll it.

[pfunk]

ONLY thing that I can think of that is a problem on both models is they collect water in the holes whier the coil mounts, ussually in higher milegage trucks, good tip is to caulk with high temp sylicone (dealers do this) and it can avoid the 80 bucks a coil sydrome. also watch out for spark plug changes and go easy on the threads. Ive seen quite afew helicoils. Ive had quite a few freinds with thiese trucks and the only complaint is that and bad MPG's with the 5.4. Get the smaller engine if you can, they get really good mileage for a truck

[BlackBuzzard]

......

The best thing you can do when you find one you're interested in, is take it to mechanic you trust and spend $100 and have a thorough used truck inspection performed. Any seller that will not allow this to be done, walk away-they are trying to hide something.

As a seller of a used truck, I'm not going to let some stranger disappear with it across town to have some "mechanic" go over it. However, in my driveway or at close local garage I would agree to it......and I am not hiding anything. I price it right and only let reasonable sounding people take it out.....in the end its usually sold within two weeks.

I have heard of parts getting swapped out on vehicles (abs modules, airbags etc) when taken for extended test drives. Also I have encountered some shady and otherwise odd people with strange ideas (payment plans) when selling used vehicles.

Where would you draw the line at letting strangers drive off with your vehicle for someone else to review?

BB

[KAS]

I think you should just forget about 1/2 ton pickups all together. The transmission issues you experienced are because all modern 1/2T pickups are just cars with a box.

I think you can do a lot better with a 3/4 or 1 Ton diesel. I prefer a Dodge with the Cummins, but most will do and even if it has more than 150k on the ticker they will usually run another 150k before touching them. Just make sure the rest of the truck is in good working order before buying.

I currently have a 2003 Ram3500 4x4 QuadCab Long Bed with 88k and the only issue so far has been a bad carrier bearing and a weak power steering pump. ( I run big tires )

I have found it to cost around the same as a 1/2T as well in my area if you go with one that may be 2-3 years older than the 1/2T model. As for fuel cost you should experience around 10-25% better than a gas engine. I currently get 20 city and 24 hwy.

I hope this helps and good luck to you.

Not everybody needs (or wants) a diesel. Unless you're towing / hauling frequently, there is no need for a diesel. I personally like my Cummins, but if I didn't drag a trailer around to races and camping trips, I would have a 1/2 ton with a v8.

Really, for the driving I do while not towing, my Cummins kinda sucks. Crappy around town mileage, and short trips aren't good for it anyway.

Your advice about fuel cost savings is bunk, too. Currently where I live diesel is more expensive than premium. Not to mention they cost more initially to purchase. So with the slight mileage advantage (yes, slight, I don't get anything near the MPG you claim), 10-25% fuel cost savings is a ridiculous claim.

[loufish]

Where would you draw the line at letting strangers drive off with your vehicle for someone else to review?

You're correct, I'd never let the truck go ANYWHERE with out me in it!

[Chickenhauler]

ONLY thing that I can think of that is a problem on both models is they collect water in the holes whier the coil mounts, ussually in higher milegage trucks, good tip is to caulk with high temp sylicone (dealers do this) and it can avoid the 80 bucks a coil sydrome. also watch out for spark plug changes and go easy on the threads. Ive seen quite afew helicoils. Ive had quite a few freinds with thiese trucks and the only complaint is that and bad MPG's with the 5.4. Get the smaller engine if you can, they get really good mileage for a truck

Forgot about that POS design.

Another thing: Don't let Ford BS you into 100K spark plug changes-change them every 25k, and put a dab of anti-seize on the threads-the aluminum heads like to seize against the spark plugs, like pfunk said.

As a seller of a used truck, I'm not going to let some stranger disappear with it across town to have some "mechanic" go over it. However, in my driveway or at close local garage I would agree to it......and I am not hiding anything. I price it right and only let reasonable sounding people take it out.....in the end its usually sold within two weeks.

I have heard of parts getting swapped out on vehicles (abs modules, airbags etc) when taken for extended test drives. Also I have encountered some shady and otherwise odd people with strange ideas (payment plans) when selling used vehicles.

Where would you draw the line at letting strangers drive off with your vehicle for someone else to review?

BB

I have always escorted them to the shop, and just brought along a good book or magazine to read-that way, I'm there.

Payment is always clearly defined in my ads-cash, cash, or cash.

I also don't let anyone pay and drive away-we complete the transaction at DMV, at the same time as they transfer the title-my father didn't do this once, and almost got arrested for a liquor store robbery and high-speed police chase where the suspect crashed and fled.

Lucky for him, he was a 65 yr old chubby white guy with bad knees, not a 19 yr old black man who could run like the wind.?

Still, it wasn't a pleasant wake-up call to answer the door finding 2 officers with weapons drawn at 3 am on the porch.

[CRF450-RIDER]

I have a 97 F250 ex.. it was the only year ford made the 250 in the 150 body style. gets about 100miles to the tank. it had 146 on it when i bought it.. i spent 54,00

[dirtyriders110]

I have a 97 F250 ex.. it was the only year ford made the 250 in the 150 body style. gets about 100miles to the tank. it had 146 on it when i bought it.. i spent 54,00

Only a 100 miles to the tank? That to me sounds really bad unless you have like a 6 or 7 gallon tank haha.