Hey guys. I am thinking of buying my wife a 2000 and newer f150. I am hoping not to spend more than 10-11k. What are some of the common problems to look for, what problems are expected, how many miles is considered high mileage? How do the trannys hold up, what is the typical fuel mileage for the 4.6 and the 5.4?

My brother has a 97 expedition with the 5.4 and he has 220k with almost 0 problems with it. Can I expect that kind of life out of a f150?

thanks guys. I appreciate you help.

Oh i am also after a 4 door crewcab/supercrew 4x4.

 

yes, you can expect 200k miles minimum out of a F150.. motor modifications done after 2001. If you can find a 2002 or 2003- go with that. More HP and better spark plug/ head design. I have a SCREW and love it !

 

Anything else? What did they do differently with the 01 and newer? What do you mean motor modifications done after 01? What is a SCREW (not dirty)? Thanks

 

SCREW is short for SuperCrew. The 01 and newer engines have more spark plug threads which eliminated the plug blow out issue. Some things I would look for is rust at the lower door seam pinch welds. Check the ball joints and find out if the heater core has ever been changed. The gas mileage for a 4.6 and 5.4 are virtually the same.

 

I had heard some had problems with spark plug blow out.

Well I guess since not so many people have responded, i guess that means they must be pretty decent trucks. Now I just need to convince my wife she needs a 01-03. She wants a 04 and newer cause she likes the newer body style, but I don't want to spend that much.

So what is the average fuel mileage on these things. We live in town right now, so she doesn't drive far. However we are looking for property, so that could change.

Thanks

 

The 8 thread heads are an '03 design and did not eliminate the problem FWIW. The '04+ have a plug problem of their own. Mileage will be low to mid teens.

 

Wow the mileage is that bad. I was thinking they got 18-20. My truck does better than that! So your saying they spark plug issue was all the way through 03?

 

the 4.6 is the more reliable engine - it may last forever. the 5.4 has a gigantic spark plug design issue that can cost a thousand bux to fix - not sure what year, if ever, it got redesigned.
the 4.6, with the right rear end, will get 20 or better mpg, but that won't be a real heavy duty vehicle. it will be a good one, just not a great puller.
stay away from the v6 with it's pos manaul mazda 5spd. avoid the ifs 4x4. the diesels are great if they run, but will cost you your fortune to repair, and they will need repair.

 

99 and up have the PI heads in both V8's. my 99 has not had any major problems. just the ball joints and had one plug blow out, almost 200k on original powertrain.

 

Yes, Every 2V modular can spit one, doesn't mean they will and doesn't mean it will cost a grand to fix either. Mine cost $200 to fix at a shop.

 

not sure if we're talking about the same problem. on this and other forums i have read about plugs breaking off in the head during removal, by the dealership, which then charges astronomical fees, pushing a grand in some cases, to fix.

 

That is for the 3V's '04-'07. Also the 5.4L and 4.6L have the same heads so no problem is going to be with one and not the other.

 

plug problems i think have been exagerated. Yes, more than the old 351 motor, but i would not say "many or most". Mine has 210k miles and no spark plug problem. Newer F150 besides haveing more threads in the head also have more HP.. My 4 x 4 gets about 15.5 mpg in the winter and 17 mpg in the summer, but you have to stay at 58 mph on the highway. In town driving is a killer. 2 x 4 may do better.

 

no doubt. people rarely will complain about things that work as they should.
however, if i'm the guy that has to pay out the nose for a plug that broke off in the head, i'm not going to feel i'm exaggerating....
as i said, check out the forums. there is more than one complaint; this is a known issue, and aggravating it is Ford's attitude about it. how bad is it? don't know; don't want to learn with my own money. the op asked for opinions, here's a couple.