I am looking to upgrade my F150 to a super duty for towing my travel trailer.

I found a 2000 4x4 crew cab V10, leather, really nice truck for 5900.00

Are they're any issues with the V10 that would be cause for alarm at 200k miles? (can't afford a newer one, 6k is the top of my budget right now)

Thanks!

Jeremiah

 

I'd be more worried about tranny, steering and suspension components which can add up fast. None of which will last as long as the engine normally.

 

A well maintained V-10 can easily go 300K+ with no problem, so I wouldn't be too worried about that. That truck should have plenty of useful life left, but as already said, there could definitely be things that are getting worn out. I'd probably try to get the price down to $5K and then you will have a little money left for some preventive maintenance and repair.

 

The motor is not the issue as was stated, heck even the trans as you can find 4R100 transmissions for dirt cheap in good shape or rebuilt as well as a low mileage running V10 for next to nothing. Biggest concern of mine would be the body itself for issues like rust, dents, shot brake lines, suspension, brakes etc... Interior too.

You can have a vehicle with 200k on it that runs like a top, is in great shape and totally worth it. You can also have a vehicle with 80k on it that the previous owner just beat the living S out of. Yes mileage is a good indicator of condition as a baseline but you have to see the vehicle for yourself.

Honestly, even if it has a miss or a slip in the trans and the body/suspension is in great shape I'd still buy it after haggling some of the price off and swap a new driveline into it...

 

IMO too much $$$ for that mileage.

 

I am thinking the same thing. I want the best deal possible and I don't mind having to do some wrenching.

I found a 3/4 ton Dodge with a cummins for 2k. It needs a new injection pump but I can't get past the dodge emblem. If It was a psd or v10 then I would buy it.

Thanks

 

You're stuck with your budget so you gotta do what you gotta do. 200k on anything for me...no way unless I put those miles on. I know it's a fancy leather crew cab, but the leather seats don't drive you down the road. It's all those other parts that do and will be wearing out, especially if they havent been replaced in a while. Again if you can and don't mind wrenching away then a high mileage vehicle shouldn't be a big deal If you cannot or do not know how to wrench those bills could become quite expensive which means you maybe needed to save more money for a newer lower mileage truck. If you need it "now" well again gotta do what you gotta do. Also what are the stats on the F150?

 

I would start with compression test - that will tell you a lot about the engine condition. Some engines last for million miles, some need replacement at 60k.

 

I would be very reluctant unless you have the extra pocket change to pay for a tranny or motor. Or rear. Or transfer case. Or a bunch of other little things that can go wrong but cost big $'s.

I love the V10 overall, but anything with that much mileage, I'd pass on, but that's my personal opinion and has nothing to do with what you are willing to deal with

The big things to look for is regular oil changes. Take off the oil filler cap and pull the dipstick and check for crud. With today's detergent oils, even at 200K miles, it shouldn't be caked up with crud. Check the tranny fluid isn't burnt.

 

The F150 pulls my trailer awesome.
1997 f150
It's a 5.4
E4od
3:55 limited slip
Extended Cab
2wd

I need a crew cab for my kids.

Maybe I can swap a supercrew body on my frame?

I just figured it would be cool to upgrade the whole truck while upgrading to four doors.

Thanks!

The truck is in awesome shape.

 

Not trying to dissuade you from a superduty, they're great and I'm a firm believer in buy what you want - but I guess I don't see the point in your case, especially getting a V10 when an older F150 pulls your trailer perfectly - seems like overkill. Are you looking to upgrade to a bigger trailer in the future? If not, maybe look for a crew cab F150? The potential problem I see w/ a 200,000 mile superduty is unless it's had a lot of stuff already replaced it's going to start adding up. It's a heavy truck and things just wear out. Typically these trucks are bought to work not commute. For the same money you could probably find a newer F150 w/ fewer miles - and you'd get better gas mileage to boot.

 

Your right it would be cheaper to get a supercrew. my previous thought about a supercrew will not work in my situation...please let me explains.

I do my own wrenching so that's not a concern.

Yes my truck tows the trailer fine. However. I am already over my gvwr, the supercrew f150 has less payload than my truck.

Plus we are buying a golf cart to take to the campgrounds in the future. Which adds 800-1000 lbs in the bed.

And there is the prospect of a bigger heavier TT in the future.

A super duty is warrented and will be my next truck. LOL

Mpg is seriously not a concern as much as normal. The truck gets 10-15 miles per day on it.

I just want to get into a super duty without a payment. Minor repairs are superfluous to me and to be expected.

I am mostly concerned about how the V10's hold up over time. Maybe I should be thinking about a 7.3 diesel.

Thanks for all your help folks. I really do appreciate it.

 

I don't agree with opinions that SD falls apart at 200k miles. I do own 2 SD with 300k each and they are in perfect mechanical shape. Sure they have 7.3 l engines and did need a water pump here, radiator there, automatic transmission rebuild and some other stuff, but I am meeting guys who put 1 million miles on SD just fine. It is the gasoline engine that is in question.

 

If you do the wrenching yourself, check it over REALLY WELL - look for coolant stains, ask for maintenance records, and check out ALL equipment and options.

 

I dont think any of us were implying that they just "fall apart" but will need maintenance, like any other high mileage vehicle, and be prepared to pay for it. OP stated he fixes his own stuff so thats great and will save him some cash. If you bought the truck from a person you know and have a good idea of how it was taken care of then I'd feel better too. If the dealer just got a great deal at auction, who knows what you're getting. My trade in went to auction and if the next dealer didn't fix some of the problems I feel bad for the next owner. Just saying.