I am looking at buying a Ford f150 "Round body" And I've narrowed it down to two choices:

A 2003 F150 supercab, shortbed, Fx4, Darkblue, 5.4, cloth interior, Needs two tires, dash lights dont work, and tranny is low in fluid a jerks sometimes. Claims tranny has been checked out a still in good shape. 180,000 miles. Asking $5,500

2003 F150 FX4

Or A 1998 F150 Supercab, shortbed, 4x4 offroad, white, 5.4, Lariat (leather), No problems listed. 145,000 miles. Asking $4,750.

1998 F-150 4X4 SUPER CAB

Im leaning towards the 98 but I want yall advice. Also I was wanting a 4.6 but what kinda mpg can I expect for the 5.4?

 

How often do the timing chains need to be replaced?

 

I'd lean toward the '98. I don't know about timing chains, but somebody here will tell you. Mpg will be between 11 and maybe 19. It's a full size truck, and you can't pay too much attention to mpg, unless its REALLY bad, thus indicating a problem.

 

Well my plans, if the 98 truck checks out ok, is to regear to the 3.73 that was available in the 04-08 body style and tune. I have a friend with a 2007 crew cab 5.4 4x4 with 36" tires 3.73 gearing and got his truck tuned. He is getting 16 mpg city. 19+ hwy.

Thanks for the response!! Also I'm wandering are there any particular problems with the 98 year model??

 

Not really, overall a good year. Things that can happen with any year F150 of that era are leaking windshield that takes out the GEM, leaking rear window, spitting spark plugs, door cracks at the bottom of the window (I think every truck gets those), MFS likes to flake out, dash lights as you saw with that '03 will burn out.

Of the two I like the '98, dang good price too, that truck wouldn't last a day in WY for that price. Dealers would have it listed for twice that.

Looking closer what is up with the D. side fender/Door? Can't tell from the pic if there are paint issues or just a bad pic.

That truck would look 10x better with Lightning style heads and corners.

 

I think your friend is smoking too many funny cigarettes.

 

98 due to the tranny problems,

 

Well text the guy with the 98. He says the truck is for sale and everything work. But when I ask to look at it I get no responce back. So moving on and the search continues. lol.

And the man with the 03 says he will sell for $4300 but I don't want it due to tranny problems.

 

What do yall think about this? Only thing i see is some body damage on the bed.

1999 Ford F150 XLT, 4x4

 

Don't give up on the 98...that was a good year. Mine has almost 240,000 miles on it of salty cold Minnesota winters. I use it as my worktruck every day. It is always overloaded and still gets 12 at its very worse in the dead of winter and 15-16 at very best in the summer....but it is working. If I saw that around here in that shape i would be pounding in the guys door with the cash...LOL. All the stuff that has happened to mine is almost all climate related....rotted manifolds, rust...gas tank fell out due to rot...stuff like that. This is hard to believe...but i have the original battery from 1998...I have never in my life seen a battery go this long....and it sits outside at night in the winter ( plugged in though). I wouldn't worry about timing chains...i think they'll outlive the motor (knock on wood)...LOL. I still love mine but sorry to see it slowly rotting away.....nothin' I can do though...

Oh....my friend owns a tranny shop and to pull and rebuid a 4r70W is about $2,000 for everything...something to keep in mind.

 

The 03 should have a 4R100 (new version of E4OD) because of the 5.4 v8. From my experience the 4R70W (New version of AOD) came behind the 4.6.

And I hate to say it but I found a good deal on the "C" word. (chevy). Lol. And its too goo to pass up. So Im going to look at it tomorrow.

 

What? A Chebby? ....You're on your own bud...

 

For 1 second please???????

What's GEM stand for?

 

Well, did you look at it?

Not to talk trash, but they have their problems too, and if you're looking at the 95-05, blech, they have a terrible ride and driving experience IMHO
Chevy made quite a bit of progress on the suspension with the 05 and up trucks.

 

Yes I looked at it. The man is asking $5500. I am pretty sure I can get it for $5000 or less. Its a 2000 chevy 1500 black/tan tow tone, extended cab with the 3rd door, shortbed, z71, towing package, cloth interior with no tears, floor shifter transfercase, 5.3 v8, auto tranny, recent complete tune up (differentials, plugs, wires, tranny ect) all stock. 174,000 miles. Only problem with this truck is a dent in the hood and the driver's door needs bushings. And its been sitting for a little while.