Hey guys, if you head over to the 03 and Older forum, you'll see I'm trying to decide on a F-150. Well the 03 got sold, so now I'm just looking at an 06 Extended Cab XLT 5.4 V8. Problem is, it's got 171,000 miles on it. The inside looks like new, the truck does in general, the rear driveshaft is SUPER rusted, but my buddy told me that's not a huge issue? The dealership replaced some hoses, including the hydraulic steering, machined both front and rear rotors, changed the oil, flushed the fluids, and I THINK changed brakes and plugs. I've heard that plugs on these can be a pain to change because they'll get stuck, and it can get expensive? Basically I'm looking for stories from owners on what I can expect or what to look for. THanks for your help!

 

Hmm... I traded my 2002 for 2007 early last month. The 2002 were wonderful, very dependable, no real issue, really. I fell in love with this 2007 after a test drive. Drives much nicer and smoother. Can't go wrong with either generation. 170K on a five years old truck, well, I would wait and look around a bit more. Unless you're quite handy working under the hood, then it shouldn't be big deal. The F150s are such best seller pickup on market and is everywhere on the road. I'm sure you can find couple more of them in your area or nearby. 2002/2003s are excellent choice, finding such good condition and low miles would be challenging. 2004-05 would be nice, but it is newly designed during that generation, and usually it's best to buy late generation model for proven design and reliability.

 

I have an 06 EC XLT 5.4L 4x4. I bought it in 08 as a lease return. The lease was up on my 05 SD Powerstroke 6.0L and did not want to purchase it because of all the problems these engines seemed to have and the extra maintenance and fuel costs of an emissions diesel. It pulls my enclosed car hauler nearly as well as the diesel for much cheaper. Though I don't drive it a lot (has 48,000 miles on it) I have not had any issues so far. I took it in for the vacuum line recall and will be taking it in for the air bag harness recall soon. I have also replaced the master and passenger door power window switches. Compared to the last 2 generations of F150, you'll see a lot of improvement. The 5.4L is so much more responsive and powerful and gets better fuel economy as well. Though it's not perfect, they are great trucks. I would just try and find one with 1/2 that many miles or less if you can unless it's really cheap and you can do all your own wrenching.

 

I have 72000 on my 06 XLT SCAB 5.4 4X4 no problems as far as plugs go that truck probably had the plugs changed at least once and from what I've heard it is usually the first change that gives problems. Suspension and driveline issues are going to more prone with that mileage.

 

How about this guy here? LOVE the looks of the 04-06 Fords, but I was looking at some random site that polled truck issues with their years, and 04 F-150s are the highest by far compared to any other year from present to late 90s? What do you guys think? Oh and the rims, not a fan, but 20s would be nice!

Polar Chevrolet Mazda - 2004 Ford F-150 Details - 866-876-5188 Dealer White Bear Lake Minneapolis St. Paul Minnesota MN

 

I love my 2006.

But I am eying the new generation.

I went from a 98 XLT SCAB with a 4.6 to my 2006.

Got a great deal on it at 16k. Truck had 9800 miles on it in April of 09. Threw 6k down and had the credit union finance the rest for me.

I would love to find another deal in a 3-5 years when I am more serious about replacing this one.

Good luck finding a truck. With all the high mileage ones you are looking at make sure they have proof they replaced the plugs if you are getting a 5.4.

 

I wouldn't touch that truck with a 10 foot pole. Why? The aftermarket AEM intake for one. These trucks don't typically like aftermarket intakes without custom tunes, etc. Not to mention, that's the cheapest pieced together intake out there.
The rest of the truck is too "blingy". The use of chrome is horrible in my opinion.

If I were you, I'd look for a late 06 or newer F150. I love my 06 SCrew FX4 and so far it has treated me quite well.

 

2005 Ford F-150 XLT $9,995 - South City Motors South St Paul Minnesota 55075

2004 Ford F 150 SUPERCAB FX4 Extended Cab Pickup Used Car Details - Waconia Ford Dealer - Waconia Ford Waconia, Minnesota

Buy Used | Used | Cars Trucks Autos | 4 Door Extended Cab Pickup | 2005 Ford F150 | Park and Sell Auto-Mart | Ham Lake, MN | Twin Cities Metro

How about these three? The gold one kinda has high miles, the blue one's better, and on a special buy, and the gray one has super low mileage compared to the other two.

 

OK the first one the miles are high but as long as it was well maintained which it appears to have been you would be OK with it for a while.

The second one has some nicer features on it and was well kept on the exterior but the interior has some issues.

The gray one is a basic XLT but looks to be a very clean truck. I would ask for that drop in bed liner to be pulled for inspection before I purchased it. The main reason people have gotten away from those is because they trap water between it and the bed and rust the bed out.

All of them I would make sure that the plugs have been replaced before purchasing it. I have an 06 Screw Fx4 and have loved it ever since the first test drive. I have had no issues with mine what so ever except for the standard stuff. Anyway good luck with your search and purchase and let us know how you come out.

 

I love my 06, I have the F150KR 4x4 Screw, with the 5.4, 3:73, The truck is black & tan two tone, and is in mint condition. Other than a couple of factory recalls, I haven't had any issues, knock wood! I've driven the new ones out now and they are nice, but not nice enough yet to make me trade. Maybe by the next gen I'll reconsider. Good luck in your search.

 

Parcels, how many miles if you don't mind my asking?

 

The 2004 FX4 seems like real nice, one owner. I would go and test it out. Like others say, be sure the plugs have been replaced first. The grey 2005 with XLT seems to be moderate used compared to first two having higher miles on it. Check both KBB and nada for dealer pricing/private party pricing. Then spilt the difference between both for a purchase price. I'm sure dealer will agree on it. Best of luck!

 

I love my 2006 King Ranch F-150. It's my first truck, so I don't have much to compare it to besides our '98 DMC Van that it replaced.

 

TMF89, Hardly any! Actually I only just have 12k on her. I know this is nothing for a truck and laughable. But since new, I've changed the oil every 3k with mobil1 5w20 synthetic. I've never had a piston slap on the coldest day of winter, the ticking noise that so many talk about, or any other engine noises. I owned a 1998 lariat 5.4 that sounded like a diesel from day one, so judging by the way she runs now I don't think I'll have much to worry about when she gets up in miles. Knock wood! I'm also a little overkill on the maint. Good luck.

 

If it were me, I'd go with the 3rd one, the gray XLT because it's priced about like the FX4 and has 30,000 fewer miles. I also wouldn't like the floor shift, but that's up to each person's preference. The console that comes with the captain chair option holds more stuff than the full legth console and if you found one at a salvage yard it'll bolt right in the 105K mile XLT.