I went to look at a 2003 fx4 with 4.6 at 111k miles. The truck is super clean and no rust. Started right up and sounded fine until i took it for a ride. When i got on it i could hear an exhaust leak and what seemed to be a miss-fire every once in a while. Told the dealer and he said he would fix it and call me. Well tonight he called and said its fixed. Going to look at it again on friday. What should i look for? I've heard there was issues with these motors and the manifold bolds.

 

ask How they fixed the miss fire? was it the COP or multiple COPs?

did they change the spark plugs? If the plugs had not be changed...make new spark plugs part of the deal...no new plugs...no sale. Same goes with possible exhaust leak.

look at the inside of the doors bottoms...look for signs of rust.

last year for this generation and are pretty good!

get the Carfax on it and make the sales department sign the buy back agreement from Carfax....if your going to get it

 

Good advice above! I've had a lot of trouble with the coil packs/spark plugs and vacuum leaks. Be sure sure to check the front end of the truck. Ball joints, tie rod ends, idler arm, pitman arm etc.... these trucks come from the factory with very few grease fittings on the front end. I just recently replaced all the above on my 2003 Supercrew 4x4. 212k miles and still going! Hope this helps!

 

Thanks for the pointers. This truck has112k on it. Hoping to get atleast 170k out of it

 

With reasonable maintenance you should get that provided that the prior owners did "reasonable care" as well.

many on here have well over that target mileage. Myself ...my unit has 164k on it and still running well...fact is I took it this summer on a 1400 mile trip and the only thing I really did was replaced the front wheel bearings and check the oil. Never missed a beat.

 

Yes....exhaust manifold studs are common to break....that is all years 4.6 and 5.4. Look thru the fenderwell area and you can see all 8 on each side. Also Look at the studs that hold the exhaust manifold to the exhaust pipe....each side.....they should be about the size of a 3/8ths bolt. LOL....mine looked like pencil lead when I did my manifolds. These trucks are an easy 200,000 miles.......WITH maintenance. I have 247,000 on mine and it runs like new (KNOCK ON WOOD)....too bad the body is about to rust off here in the Minnesota salt belt. That is the exact truck I am looking for....an 03 F-150 FX4. I have found a few with 83,000 to 115,000 miles in the $7,500 to $10,000 range. Looking for red or black. there is a gorgeous one with 63,000 miles...like new for 12,500, but I just can't do white....too bad. Post a pick if you buy it! BTW...what exactly does FX4 mean....like it has certain criteria?

 

Well the guy fixed the exhaust and it isn't missing anymore. I took it for a long ride and let it warm up good before I committed to anything. The truck is super clean inside and out. I crawled all underneath it and there is no rust anywhere but the shock housings which will get replaced.

Spotty I had to do white. It's all I could find in this good cond. The FX4 package includes skid plates, limited slip diff and Rancho shocks. It seems to sit higher too. It s much higher than my Expedition of the same year.

 

Wow that is clean.

Good find!

 

Very nice....I like it. I just might go look at that white one I mentioned. 63,000 miles ...looks like new. I guess my real concern in the rust belt here, is any speck of rust shows on white.....I keep stuff a loooooong time and I HATE rust. Can I ask what part of the country you are in?

 

I'm from Jersey and the truck was registered in Jersey all it's life according to Carfax. You just have to take care of any chips in the paint with touch up as soon as you see them. I keep stuff a long time too. Going on 10 years with my Expeditions with no plans of getting rid of it. It still looks new and runs like a champ, knock wood. Good luck. I'm liking having a pickup again.
I have been driving my Mustang for the past 1 1/2. Now that will sit tin the garage and take a rest.

2000 GT with 117K on it. Same motor. Runs like new.

 

I have had the 08 STX 4.6L extended cab. I would say to stay away from that engine. Its very underpowered! That being said, there are a TON of 01-03 FX4s out there with the 5.4L with 4 doors in your price range. I'm not sure if you are looking for the quad or extended cab, but believe me, its a pain dealing with the extended cab doors in parking lot situations and with kids. ALso, if you have passengers, if they are any taller than 5'11", they are going to be in a tight spot. There isn't much if any difference in gas mileage and with the 5.4L, but you can actually haul somthing more than what an SUV can. I have an 02 4-door 5.4L XLT and I have to say, hands down, it puts that pansy 4.6L to shame.

 

I just need an extended cab. The back seat will be full of parts and tools.

 

LOL.....2000 GT with 129,000 miles. Same motor. Runs like new.