It's time to retire my 1994 F150, 4.9L, 5 speed. The engine is still going strong with 300k, but the body etc, aren't doing as well. Besides, I'd like a truck with A/C and auto transmission.

So, staying with an F150 - I'm looking at anything in the 1998-2001 range, 2wd is fine, I don't need a big engine - 6 cylinder is fine, better gas mileage, etc.

Can anyone summarize which F150 engine, year, model I should look for, or perhaps stay away from, based on known problems.

I can summarize the '94 F150 - 4.9 Inline 6 - awesome engine. Rear fenders on 94 F150 rust out early, oil pan rusts through, rear leaf-spring brackets rust out , stuff like that.. (two words - road salt)

 

Dang, you have a lot of rusting going on. Apparently you dont need a lot of power but I would stay away from the 4.2, cause they are way underpowered for a full size truck. The 4.6 may suit you better. The 4.6 is underpowered for a v-8 but in a full size truck does as good as a v-6 and dont waste a whole lot of gas.

 

I bought a 2000 F150 4.6 six months ago, (used with 108,000 miles) they have quite a few sensor problems, everytime I turn around another sensor goes out. (from ABS, to airbag and engine) nice truck otherwise.

Lance

 

Never had any sensor problems.

 

My 97 seems to have alot of sensor problems, lots of minor things, like the check engine light going on for just about every little thing, but it was also the first eyar of the new style.

 

My 2000 has been rock solid. I bought it with 59000. Had to replace an original O2 sensor at abour 71000. I love this truck.

My 5.4 gets about 17-20MPG on the highway. It's leaps and bounds better than the 5.8 in my 94 in both the power and MPG department.

Mike

 

97-99 stay away from the V6, they had problems w/ the head gaskets. Gasket would fail and coolant would get in the cylinder and hydrolock the motor. The V8s are pretty reliable, a few have had spark plug blowout. Ford didn't put enough threads in the heads. It's not common but it does happen.
The only sensor I've had go out was an O2 sensor. No big deal.
One of the more common problems are the ball joints. Some guys have had to replace them as early as 30k. Mine made it to 103k. Not quite gone but I was putting some drop springs in so I went ahead replaced them.
When you get one make sure it has been in for the cruise control recall. This is the latest recall. The cruise deactivation switch is in direct contact w/ brake fluid. The brake fluid eventually eats thru the plastic in the switch. Since the switch has constant power it can cause a fire. Mine failed but the fuse blew.

 

make sure if you test drive a v6 (4.2)- make sure you floor it and make sure it doesn't "miss"- i have had a problem with my truck "missing" under acceleration- and still can't find the problem- heard a couple people having this problem with the v6. other than that the 4.2 v6 is a good engine. other than clutch going out and a minor vac. problem no major problems.

 

Just don't get the V6. It should have never been put in a truck like this. Get the 4.6 at least. It has about the same gas mileage.

Mike

 

I bought my 97 Lariat with a 4.6 auto tranny just over 4 years ago. In the 4 years I have had the truck, I have had the front brakes along with the lower ball joints replaced and that was at 120k miles. It now has over 150k miles and the only thing that has happened is the check engine light came on and has since gone off. It would come on then go off after a random time period or after I filled the fuel tank. It hasn't been on now in over 6 months.
It gets an average of 17 to 18 mpg running around town and 21 to 23 on the highway.
The truck runs as good now as it did when I bought it.

 

I have had my SC 4x4 since it was new. Very few problems, no sensor problems ever in 104,000 miles. Gets 11mpg in town and about 17 on the highway. I have kept track of every fill and the lowest is 8.6 & the highest 23mpg.

Ball joints were replaced about 30,000 and are due again. Ford dealer wants $1800 to do the front end and replace the rotors and pads. Ouch!! Have to get out the toolbox for that kind of money.

Dave

 

I have a 4.2 and I would say that you're better off with the 4.6. The only problem that I had with sensors is the rear ABS. As for the suspension parts, I already replaced the lower and upper ball joints.

 

I just sold my 99 4.6 in August. It had 155,000 miles on it and still ran like a champ. I bought it with 60,000 miles on it and the only trouble I ever had was a gummed up idle air control valve and a broken blend door.