I need to ask when everyone knew it was time to trade your f150 in on a newer one. I only ask because here is the list of issues i have with my 08 f150 FX4 X-cab, 56k.

-tranny reflash
-cam phaser replaced
-2 new axles
-solenoid on driver side
-solenoid on firewall
-window switches (need to be replaced again)
-have a weird noise coming from rear
-constant clicking noise when i first step on the gas

Its becoming a trust issue as i tow my bass boat every weekend, I just have a bad vibe about this truck. I love it, its a bit underpowered and the new ones are soo nice, i just dont wanna look at more truck payments as this is almost paid off. There is a couple other smaller issues that i cant remember but its just something about the truck. I would like some opinions.

 

Well... most of us tend to switch vehicle after or when the payment is about to be done within 4-5 years. I tend to keep my for 6-7 years that's when the itch gets me to switch into newer vehicle. I switched my 2002 F150 for this 2007 last year when I faced tranny issue plus upcoming huge maintenance service on the 2002. Rather to spend money on newer vehicle after owning it for six wonderful years with it.

 

I just got mine, and it only has 45k, so I'll be keeping it for a while. I feel really bad about how dirty it is right now. If it would stop raining everyday, I would wash it.

 

Well, mine has 93,000 miles on it, I am planning on keeping it quite a while though. First, it is paid for. Second, I have it looking the way I want it now with the 2" front lift and the new rubber and I got less than 12,000 miles on the brakes all around. And 3rd, the truck still looks, runs, and drives great and it is still my dream truck. It has a had some unforseen trouble. And right now there is a noise in the transfer case that needs to be diagnosed(got an apt with tech monday). Sounds like yours has had its share of touble though, which is unusual for an 08, all the bugs were worked out by then. It may get to a point though where you get everything fixed and then you need to drive it a while to let those repairs pay for themselves, know what I mean. If it was me, I would fix the trouble you had and gamble that you'll be realitively trouble free the rest of the way.

 

With only 56k I'm suprised you needed a phaser, much less 2 axles. You mention towing a bass boat. If your putting your drive train under water a lot that may be the reason for axles and noise in the rear end.
I have a 08 4x4 with 175 thousand miles and have only replaced brakes, tires, plugs and fluids per Ford schedule.
Starting to get a timing chain rattle on start up, have always used motocraft 5w20 and moto filter.
My Blackstone oil report says engine shows less than 50 thousand miles of actual wear.
Window switches are real common, can be cleaned, plus are not expensive. I just carry a spare in the glove box.

 

I'm surprised you are having so many issues with the truck only having that kind of mileage and it really not being old. For me, I had a 2004 and it had 110,000 miles. It had little things here and there that kept breaking, and like you, I started to get worried. I also didn't want to get into a situation where it started nickel and diming me. After 7 years of ownership, I decided to move on to a new one. Good luck!

 

i knew it was time when the floor in my 79 ford was no more and it wasn't going to pass emissions

 

My 2006 has 84,500 miles on it and is paid for so far the only problems have been:

1) Idle pulley went - $30 for a replacement but I just replaced the bearing for $6
2) Rear Axle pinion seal leaked - I fixed it ~ $50 or so spent.
3) Front Brake pads - Running Napa Adaptive one up front replaced @45,000
4) Replaced Hankook Dynapro AT's @ 50,000 with BFG Long Trail Tour T/A's (Crappy Tire)
5) Lower Ball Joints - I replaced them @ 68,000
6) Rear Brake Rotors and Pads - Replaced OEM ones @ 72,000 miles. Installed Wagner Premium Rotors and TQ pads.
7) Coolant System and Powersteering Flushed @ Dealer @ 75,000
8) Drivers Side Cat and FPM $900 (independent mechanic)

Tranny is flush @ Dealer every 30K
Truck goes in for Service every 5K @ Dealer

I am in the process of doing the cam phasers as I have a P0345 and P0349 codes for Bank 2. I am doing the spark plugs at the same time...

All in all am I happy that I needed to replace the Drivers Cat? Cam Phasers? No.. but in the grand scheme of things.. these are known issues with the engine / truck. The Plugs getting stuck in the head, well that is BS but... again a known issue with plenty of tools/knowledge to help you get it done...

In the end the Cat, Phasers and plugs with special tools I bought will cost me about $1800 which equates to 4 of my truck payments which I haven't made in 18 months.

So after fixing the Cat, Phasers and Plugs - there really isn't much else that really goes wrong with the 06 5.4v 3v's. My plan is to keep the truck and drive it into the ground.

 

IMO your truck is really quite new.

My '02 E150 van has 105k miles and I'm planning on keeping it indefinitely. It is pretty much done depreciating and has been paid for a long time ago. So the cost to drive it is pretty much gasoline, insurance, and maintenance.

Aside from the axles (why did they need replacement?) and maybe the cam phasers, it doesn't sound like any of your other problems were more than a single month's payment on a new truck. You are at the point now where depreciation on the truck is becoming very small, and this is the time to stretch your ownership as opposed to getting yourself into a new loan where you not only pay interest on the loan, but have rapid depreciation on a new truck.

If I were you, I would figure out the noises, fix them if they are any kind of a time bomb, and keep driving the truck. If you buy a new truck and gas shoots up to $6 per gallon, you stand to take a huge bath on depreciation...

George

 

We may be buying an 08 tomorrow....and then selling our 94F150....last time I was under it, I saw holes in the bracket that holds that big steel bar with the donut ....the bracket rivets to the frame and that other piece bolts to the front axle. Anyway, it's rusted thru in places. I put on a new rear spring shackle bracket and rear brake lines last year. Rocker panels are rusting thru, the radiator mounts are rusting away, something has happened to the LF fender, it now hits the door. 133k, it runs great, but trans leaks a little.

$20k for a long bed supercab 4x4 Lariat F150 85k miles.

 

My last three trucks have never made it to trade in time. Each one of them:

73 F100
86 F150
99 F250SD

Have all been totaled by people running red lights & towed loads breaking loose.

 

I Knew it was time to trade when a fellow ran a redlight and took out my 88 Ford Bronco II. Instead of trading I bought it back from the insurance co,and kept it for a parts vehicle. I later sold it to a local farmer and he converted to a completely off road vehicle. It had 290,000 miles on it then in 09. It's still going today.

I had a 89 F-250. It was leaking coolant. Took it to a dealer for what I thought would be a cheap fix. It turned out I was going to have to spend $1100 on it. I got to thinking about all the money I'd spent on it in the last few years. At ther same time they had a 04 F-150 on the lot that had been owned by an old man who died. 60,000 miles $8,000 before trade in. We did some dealing and the 04 is mine now. The 88 had 230,000 miles with 160,000 on a rebuilt engine.

.
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Never trade in, sell it outright or keep it.

 

175,000 on my '04 supercrew lariat 4x4. I will get rid of it when it just wont go anymore. I sold my '99 jeep wrangler to help fund the '04 purchase and the jeep had 250,000 miles.

 

When the monthly avg repair cost per year adds up to the monthly payment on a new one..........