I have an 02 F150 Supercrew with a 5.4 and 4 wheel drive. It now has about 140K miles on it.
I am wondering if there are things I should watch for and try to catch before they become expensive issues.
Anyone with more miles on a similar vehicle with stories to tell?

Randy

 

At 140K mine was just getting "broke-in"!

Coil packs for me did not last more than about 150k. When one goes, I have found the others aren't far behind. First time I just replaced the bad one, then the next and so on, till they were all done. It didn't take 20k miles for all to go out. Do yourself a favor and do all of them at once, in my opinion, and don't cheap out, get the more expensive ones and they will last. Oh, and while you're at it change the plugs too!

I have stayed away from the trans flush and just dropped the pan and changed the filter and fluid every 40-50K. Worked so far...

One odd one: 4wd stopped working due to a bad battery. Turns out the vac lines for the 4wd run right under the battery which leaked acid on them until they melted. New battery, patched vac lines, never had problem again...

Alternator lasted about 280k miles and the starter about 300k. Alternator is easy but I think the starter was put on before the engine was assembled.

Had a weird issue with the trans, OD light started blinking and locked in gear at about 250k. Pulled over, disconnected the battery and let it set for about 15min. Has run fine ever since... Had the same problem with an expedition, turned out to be a bad solenoid, try changing it before you get talked into a $2k rebuild.

Radiators & heater cores started going bad at the 300k mark. Heater cores being the hardest part. On-line purchased radiator had a lifetime warranty and I took them up on it thrice, till I found the bad ground on the motor. Haven't had any problems since...

At 349k miles now with a blown head gasket, but the cause could have been the multiple over heating during the radiator/heater core fiasco...

All in all, the truck has been one of the best vehicles I have owned and I couldn't be more pleased with the quality. When I get the head gasket fixed I plan on going for 400k miles at least.

 

Spark plugs need changed if they have not been.
Other than that...change the fluids regularly, drive it, and enjoy one of the most reliable V8's ever produced, IMO.
JL

 

Just wanted to mention the spark-plug blowout problem.
When you change the plugs they go back in dry(no anti seize) and they have to be torqued correctly (don't remember the number) so you don't strip the threads and have a blow out later.

 

Good to hear no horror stories.
I like the truck and really have no desire to change trucks. I hear more problems with newer ones - especially the spark plug problems with the newer style plugs.

I have had a couple of cop's go bad.

I have changed plugs - about 30K miles ago so might think about doing it again in the spring. Running fine but I wonder if I will have fewer issues if I change them more often. I did use anti seize on the plug threads. Seemed a good idea in aluminum heads.

I changed the tranny filter and fluid about 25K miles ago. May do that again in the spring too.

Changed the anti-freeze about 2 years ago. Should do that again in the spring too.

No real issues with the drivetrain apart from axle seals in the rear end a couple of times and a pinion seal. Also changed u-joints in the rear drive shaft. The back one was seizing up. My son noticed vibration on deceleration and suggested we needed to look. Good to have a mechanic in the family. Some issues with the clutch pack in the rear end when it gets warmed up after a highway run. Makes noises and appears to stick a bit on tight corners. May put another bottle of the smelly additive from Ford in to see if that helps.

I wondered about things like the timing chain guides on higher mileage motors but none of you have mentioned them.

I bought the truck with about 90K miles on it abut 4 years ago and have put about 50K miles on it since without much problem. Changed the battery and brakes, ball joints etc. Just wear items.

Have been running Mobil 1 for the past couple of years and changing about every 3K to 3.5K miles.

Randy

 

...Have to agree with what what said....Just regular upkeep, and she should be good for a long time!! I just turned 112k on my 01 Supercrew, and I love it! The only issue I have had is my wedgewood blue paint has developed "cracks" in the paint......a couple body guys said its in the clearcoat....Funds dont allow for me to get it repainted....Also keep an eye on the inside bottom of the doors. they like to start rusting here...
Rich

 

I had Ming undercoat and rustproof it so am hoping to stave off the rust for a time.

Randy