I have a 2004 F150 SCAB FX4 with 136500 miles that has had the notorious "diesel" knock sound for some time know. I already had the Cam Phasers replaced about 25000 miles ago and do not look forward to that expense again. I also has the trans replaced (FOMOCO Reman.) about 13000 miles ago.

So, I'm looking for thoughts and suggestions on which powertrain in Fords current lineup are proving to be the most reliable in today's truck models.

Thanks for your thoughts...

Ponyxprs

 

I couldn't say either one would be more reliable, it just matter what you want the truck to do, I prefer F250 just because I want the big boy, but have no need for all that extra capacity, I just like it, I think the F150 will last just as long if both are treated & maintained properly, you have to choose what suites you the best, the F250 cost more up front and cost more to maintain, but there is nothing else to compare to a F250!!

 

Most reliable truck will be the one with the fewest features. Electrical stuff in the cab tends to cause a huge percentage of warranty repairs.
I remember reading that the Chevy Avalanche was rated much better in reliability then the Cadillac Escalade version of the cam vehicle just because of how often the gadget failed.


Get a base model 2wd and don't overwork it. It'll last forever.

Also, since the F150 is both cheaper to buy and cheaper to repair (brakes, tired, oil etc) I'd say even if they were the same reliability, you'd come out ahead on the F150.

 

Thanks for the quick thoughts fo far. I am a sucker for the F250, yet I agree that the F150 would be a bit more economical from a maintenance perspective.

Any thoughts on the current engines? I was initially impressed with my 5.4L 3 valve engine but this Cam Phaser setup is like the rubber band timing belts in a foriegn car... needs replacing more frequently than I'd prefer.

What are your thoughts on the 3.5L Ecoboost, 3.7L, 5.0L, 6.2L engines?

 

Just about everything on the 250 will be a little more rugged than on the 150. From my experience, the weakest part is the steering box which, even when brand new, leaves a lot to be desired. 50's tech hanging around far too long.

 

If your not doing a lot of towing, or working the truck real hard or often, you'll be alot better set with a f150 from a financial standpoint.
The 6.2L in the superduty is proving itself to be a stout engine as is the ecco boost! I love the look of the new F150's and would love one with a eb under the hood! I just tow too much weight too often and plowing snow is also a no no with those trucks now!

 

That's a common issue for the 5.4L 3v that was identified and corrected in later models. For what it's worth you will have a very tough time finding a new vehicle out there without cam phasers of some variety. Most types are bullet proof, but yours was unfortunately not one of them. IIRC the change was made sometime between 2006-2007 to make them more reliable.

Don't necessarily agree with you here. I've owned two F150s and two Super Duties, and I wouldn't necessarily think that the F150 was less reliable. Sure I couldn't put 3,000 lbs in the bed like I could my F350, but the only major thing that is more rugged in the Super Duties is the suspension and driveline. Neither have been points for repetitive failure in most F150s, but there are a number of suspension and steering issues that are even present in the current generation Super Duty. Most of them won't rear their ugly head for 70-80,000 miles or more, but they are there.

I would say that F150s are more reliable. Consumer reports agrees with me.

Now these new engines are another thing entirely. Only time will tell how well the EcoBoost will fare, but I suspect it will prove itself well. They certainly are complex animals though. And for the record every engine except the 6.2L, IIRC, has a four cam phasers compared to the two that the OP's 5.4L has. Not that this is a bad thing.

 

^^^ I have to agree with Tom's entire post.

Don't think in terms of reliability as they are pretty equal but in terms of your needs and wants.

 

if FOMOCO is still offering the n/a v6 5 speed that is pretty bone simple,

 

Thanks again for the feedback. I've been checking out some options, and based on how I use my truck, (light duty) the F150 is most likely what I will upgrade with when the time comes.

 

Everything on my F250 was bulletproof except the engine. (Diesel) I now have an F150 again, and I'm sorry I ever upgraded to an 8300lb truck other than to say I actually needed it 8 months out of the year. If I was towing 5-6k once a month for 150 miles each way, I'd probably stick with a 150.

 

Tom,

What did you do with your 6.7? What are you going to get next?

 

I traded it in May of 2011 for a car after I determined that I no longer needed a $50,000 truck to tow the trailer that we were selling. So I sold the truck and trailer, and am now working a deal on a coworker's Excursion. Problem is that I have to move in less than two months, and he's not sure he can make his side of the deal work by then. We'll see.

I do miss my F350 though.

 

Was just wondering...I miss my 250, but man, this smaller 5.0 works for me now. I don't miss a lot of the routine maintenance, especially since I was anile about it, and it still did a number on me. Is that a Fusion Sport in the pic?

 

Nah, it's a 4-cylinder SEL. I drive 85 miles round-trip to work every day and I'm focused on fuel economy. With my youngest born last October and my impending move across the country I opted for something that makes more sense. Once we get settled and my wife finds employment I'll look at another truck if the Excursion doesn't work out. Right now this is what I use for a truck...it's sad really: