When my wife and I met, we each had a pickup & a motorcycle. We recently traded her 200k mile Toyota pickup for a Subaru, and my 225k Dodge is on the way out. The Sube is the daily driver and road trip car.

We need a pickup for hauling lumber (house renovations) & camping. Occasionally, we each need to drive. The truck will get about 5k miles a year.

We are hoping to spend about $10,000 on a truck.
We don't tow often enough to want or need a Diesel. An F150 seems to have enough towing and hauling capacity for what we want. If I need several tons of something, I'll have it delivered.

We don't have kids, and have a 4 seater car, so I don't want a crew cab. Nor do I need 4WD, because we got the Sube, and don't have to deal with snow unless we want to.

OK - too much information, but it's easier to say it now than later.
2WD, short cab, not towing a horse trailer. The only real requirement for options is the seats must move independently - she's really short. If she's driving, the seat moves up so far that I hit my knees on the dash.

So... I'm thinking that the v6 will be enough engine. Is there much difference in mileage between the v6 and the small v8? How about reliability between the two?

Is there a year that's better (I'm assuming I can get a '04 - '08 in my budget)?

What year/engine combo would you buy if you were in my shoes? I've only seen one with a manual trans. Is the auto trans a good one?

I think I can find one with under 60 or 70k miles, especially since I'm not searching for leather seats and all the high end stuff.

Thanks for the opinions - I'm starting to shop around

 

So, should I assume that the '04 to '08 models are identical?

 

Welcome to FTE.
There were two models in 2004: a Heritage Edition (2003 carryover) and the New Body Style 2004 which remains the same through 2008.

Honestly the 4.2L V6 is a capable engine, but might lack a little grunt with a trailer of any size in tow. The 4.6L V8 is a stout little engine with a good history. Decent mileage and will get the job done. A reg cab model in 2wd with 3:31 or 3:55 gears would return decent mileage numbers.
As for what trim...look at a STX or XLT trim. The STX is a monotoned paint scheme and has power windows, etc, and buckets with fold down center armrest. The XLT will give you an option of a center console, but you'll be looking at a 60/40 split bench like the STX with a fold down center console.

Here's the overview sheet for 2004 models:
2004 Ford F150 Overview
There's a "spec sheet" contained within (see the links on that page on the right)

Here's the overview sheet for 2005 models:
2005 Ford F-150
Again, spec link at the top right.

Enjoy!

 

As much as I love my 07 Supercrew, for the price range of 10K or less, I would check for 03 F150, or even 02. Those are late model year of the previous generation, they're well designed and pretty robust in my experience. THis generation 04-08 might be difficult to find within your 10K budget you're looking at. The 04-05 is early model year, and has couple design issue which is somewhat common in many early model years within any manufacturer. Gathering feedbacks from customers/service depts, the engineers usually fine tune their design to perfect as much as possible which usually happen in late model year of any design. Yea, this model design is such attractive pickup and it's hard to turn head into different generation.
There are many threads discussed about issues within early 04-05 especially with the 5.4L 3v engines among with other things. Good luck.

If I were in your shoes, I would check for either low mileage 03 Supercab XLT with 4.6L and/or 06 Supercab XLT 4.6L of course expect to pay couple more for the 06.

 

Thanks for the replies.

I can't say that I like the body style of the '03. Around here, It seems like I can find a '04+ for around 10k. If I have to spend a bit more, I can. We just picked 10k because it is a round number.

We won't be towing enough to matter.

We really don't need that much truck, but I have had nothing but bad experiences with the Ranger & S10, and old Tacomas cost too much.

 

Not sure where you are located, I'm in the midwest. I came across an 07 Reg cab 2wd V6 with no options for around 6500, might work out good for you since its not going to be used much. Not sure if its still available but I did test drive it and everything seemed fine. It had around 90k on it. 2nd owner and it was a gift to the person. The only reason I passed on it was the lack of cruise control. Wasn't a fan of manual windows/locks but could have survived. Now I find out that the cruise is all electronic and just a matter of getting the switch packs/dealer programming. Let me know if you want me to try to find the seller again. Had I not purchased one already and armed with the cc knowledge, I would have not passed on it.

 

Thanks for the offer. However, I'm on the west coast.

I think I'll end up with something like that, although I'd pay a bit more for a truck with not as many miles.

 

I had a 2004 with the 4.6 engine for 7 years. It was the best truck I've ever had. The 4.6 had plenty of power for what I needed. Even though it was early in the model run, I never had anything other than two window regulators that broke, had to replace rotors, and one issue with the spring on the fuel door that gave me problems. All of these are common issues with this bodystyle. It was a very good and well built truck. Good luck in your search.

 

Actually, unless something has changed lately, you're in one of the better areas to find a 4x2. In 09 when I was looking to buy, I found them primarily in Fla, Tx & Ca (particularly LA and San Diego). Living in Mn, it was a bit harder to work through a deal, but I was able to find a 07 XLT SCab Heavy Half for considerably less in LA than anywhere else. I got a great truck with 20K on the odometer, the box appeared to never have had anything in it and got it in LA for considerable less than anywhere else. It was cost effective for me to fly out and drive it home than buy any of the other ones I was looking at, and it's been good to me.

For whatever reason, seemed like LA and San Diego had alot more trucks for sale than anywhere else.

 

v6 is pretty capable but I agree, it will probably lack the grunt of the v8 in many situations. mpg will not be much better either. especially when towing.