I have owned a few Ford trucks in the past and now after driving my Explorer I think it is time to get me another truck. I won't be putting a lot of miles on it maybe to haul my boat to the lake or a horse or two from time to time.

I have my eye on a used 99 f-250 5.4l 4x4 ext cab with 185,000 miles on it. I can get it for under $5000 and that fits my budget just right.

Should I take the plunge on a truck with this many miles? The truck from all indications has been well cared for with no issues that I know of except needing lower ball joints replaced.

Thanks and glad to be here.

 

As in most cases, the truck is worth only as much as the buyer is willing to pay.

 

depending on area with the age and milage to me the price is a somewhat high

 

That's a lot of miles for a 5.4 gasser. Not too many go much more than that. Some do of course. Is it original? How about the transmission? Is it auto or manual. Not too many of the 4R100 go much longer than that either.

So, that's a pretty decent price it seems to me. But you have to budget for a short block and a transmission. If you don't need them, great. But likely you will. Unless it's been done already.

Good luck,
Bill

 

I am hoping to get for around 4000. I am worried about those miles though but the truck in in my budget.

 

Both original.

 

Well you just have to face it, you are not going to get another 100k out of that drivetrain. You'll have to do some work. Are you okay with that? Will you be happy with another 25k miles?

If not, you might be happier with a little older truck that has fewer miles.

Of course, nobody can tell from here how much longer it will last. But the odds are not in your favor.

Bill

 

Look for a V10, as they should be in your price range as well, and might like the miles a bit better.

I have an 01 V10 with 144k on it. The drive train is perfect. I am spending money doing suspension replacement though (all SD go through this).

 

I would continue to look. Sounds too high with that many miles.
I agree with one_wicked_element that you should get the V10.
You can get a better deal on a V10 with gas going up and it is a lot more truck.

 

If your budget is $4k, I'd be careful buying a truck that could easily cost you another $2500 for drivetrain work. Better to stretch for a $6K or$7K truck with half the miles and have the odds on your side.

I used to do F&I at a luxo car dealership many moons ago. Folks would come in and say "We cannot afford to buy an extended warranty" I'd say "That's exactly the reason you have to buy one"

Good luck

 

So I could not expect another 50,000 - 75,000 miles out of this engine without an overhaul?

I have been lucky and driven vehicles way into the 200k and 300k range I had a Honda I bought with 272k and drove it till 345k. All I had to do was change timing belt and waterpump. Maybe my expectations for the F-250 are to high.

 

Honestly for 5.4 with that much on the clock, it is little too high, $$$ wise...

 

Hondas and Toyotos are different...

 

If you knew the service history of the vehicle you *might* be able to predict its life-span with some degree of accuracy.

If you're asking if you can drive a truck like that for another 50K without any expenses, then no. You'll probably have suspension work, potential drivetrain issues, and of course engine related problems.

You may be able to drive it without putting a dime into it, but the odds are very much against that scenario.

 

The only thing it is needing as of right now is lower ball joints which I can replace myself.