Hey Guys

I am looking at an 01 Ex on Monday. One of the guys that I work with wants to sell it. He is asking $2500 for it it has a 5.4 in it IIRC, If it had the 7.3 I would be all set with knowing what to look for.
The truck came from FL and looks clean. What should I look for when he brings it in on Monday?

Thanks in advance!

 

It's kinda late here, and my eyes are tired, but I think you left a zero off the price?

2WD or 4WD? Make sure you check over all suspension/steering components - tie rods, sway bar links, U-joints, Ball joints, saggy springs. I'd bring a floor jack and pop off tires to see brakes, slop in the steering, uneven tire wear etc. Leaks on the underside? Door locks work? Cruise control? Elec windows work? AC cold? Heater hot? Signs of leaks on the carpet? Get as much history as you can. If you have a code scanner, bring it a plug it in. Good luck!

 

No I am serious he is only asking $2500 for it. He wants to give me 1K cash and the truck for my Mustang that I only paid $1500 for So needless to say I want to try and snag this while the getting is good. It is a 4WD so i need to look and see if the auto lockers are working.

I do have AE and a scanner as well. I am pretty good at what is needed as far as suspension and stuff alongthose lines. What about the engine? pros and cons of it? Any thing that i should look for as a sign of trouble? Like on the 7.3's we look atthe turbo wheel for for signs of dusting on the blades.

 

For $2500 I would probably take it as is! The 5.4 is a good engine just a bit down on power compared to the other offerings. Looks like you already have a tow vehicle so you may not be planning on any with the Ex. I'd check the condition of fluids and then do a test drive. With that little into it you will be able to take care of any maintenance or repairs which may come up. How many miles?

 

I am not 100% sure of the mileage I want to say that he said 130 ish but dont quote me on that. I am glad that the 5.4 is a good engine! That was one of my worries.

This will end up being my daily driver for the most part. I have plans on lifting the dually and the mustang is horrible in the snow. It has been parked since December.

 

Jim, sound really good. I'd say take it. snap some pic's of it and post em up. I did see a 7.3 excursion on ebay in Ma. with a buy now price of 8,000 something. but I think it's time is up...

 

For 2500 it would have to be parked up on blocks with no wheels, smashed out windows and missing interior...and even then i would consider it. Sounds like a no brainer deal to me.

 

Yeah Jim, as long it drives fine, buy it. You really can't go wrong.

With that initial buy in, you can always do a Cummins conversion later .

 

If the truck looks "Clean" about the only thing I would look for is a clear title and a set of keys, then pay the guy.
This truck weighes about 7000 pounds or so, scrap price on it where I live is 14.00 a hundred or about 780.00.
Its a heck of a deal even if it needed a motor.

 

$2500 I would buy just because it was $2500. If he can manage to drive it to you I would say good enough.

 

buy buy buy

 

Jim, you already know how to look over the suspension, front hubs, transmission, interior, etc. I know you know that, and you know I know you know that, so basically, you need to be concerned about the engine.

The modular engines (4.6L, 5.4L, and 6.8L) up to 2003 were notorious for spitting sprark plugs. You know, those things our 7.3's don't have.

Here are some really old, old articles you can do a quick read-up on, regarding the issue.

Spark Plug Ejected From Engine | FordProblems.com

Feds Urged to Act on Ford Spark Plug Blow-Outs
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/ford_spark_plugs.html

Ford Engines - Spark Plug Defect
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_spark.html

Ford Trucks Spit Spark Plugs
Ignored by Ford, Truck Owners Face Massive Repair Bills
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/01/ford_truck_engines.html

Since this is no longer a "new" issue, and is know a well known issue, the problem, the solution, and the prevention of a spitting plug has all been fleshed out.

The best prevention is to use proper torque on the plugs when the engine is cold. That's the best way to prevent the problem.

For my Lightning, I had a habit of doing a quick check on the plugs every 6 months or so, back when it was my daily driver.

The best solution, if you have a plug spit on you, is to have a threaded insert put into the plug hole.

Lock-n-Stitch is the best insert money can buy for this problem. Spark Plug Thread Repair Inserts

LOCK-N-STITCH Inc. homepage: Cast iron crack repair, cast iron welding, thread repair inserts

Timeserts are also good too, but if someone wanted the best, Lock-N-Stitch is the way to go. ++ TIME-SERT Threaded inserts for stripped threads, threaded inserts, thread repair stripped sparkplug's, Ford sparkplug blowouts, threaded inserts threaded, repair stripped threads, stripped threads, inserts threaded inserts, Ford spark plug repair,

I have an insert in the drivers side head of my Lightning (I ejected a plug a long time ago, back when this problem was first becoming widespread) and it's doing fine, but it's not a Lock-n-stitch.

There's quite a bit of aftermarket parts for the 5.4L engine because of the Gen 2 Lightning. So if you want to modify the engine, the parts aren't scarce.

You have a 4R100 in that puppy, but it's not the same as found in the Lightning or our 7.3's, so be aware of that. It's not as "heavy duty" as the trans in the L's or the 7.3's. But you can always have John Wood build ya one!

The V10's have problems with their exhaust manifold bolts, but the 5.4's don't have that same issue, so you don't have to worry there.

The 5.4L modular engine is very well built. It's a stout engine that does well when mated to the F150, but anything more, and it will leave you wanting. It'll be a lot like your dually back when it had stock AD's, stock turbo, no DP, and a stock intake. But since you're wanting a winter daily driver, it'll do ya just fine.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. If anything else pops up, I'll let ya know.

Stewart

 

BTW, what kind of Mustang? What year?

Stewart

EDIT: Nevermind Jim, I posted this before you called me.

 

Starts, check....goes down the road ok, check........has a clear title, check...........do it dude. As said, you could part it, scrap it out at that price!

 

Thanks for all the input and advice!! I will be looking at it on Monday so if all goes well It will be mine. I hope that he doesn't realize how much it is really worth