When trucks have 70k sticker prices, it is good to know the 01 is hanging in there. The V10 has been healthy for 190k now. I popped a cop or two. That was horible, but stupid easy to fix with a helicoil. The trans started to shift wierd, but an oil change corrected that and again easy. I replaced a brake caliper yesterday. That was rediculously
simple. I've done ball joints more than once. That is pretty easy. Nothing about the truck is all that hard to work on at all and it just keeps on a going. It really has been a great truck.
Everything on it except for the warn lockouts is Ford Motorcraft quality parts. Even the oil and filters are Motorcraft. You cannot go wrong.
I just thought I'd share...

 

I hear ya...my '03 5.4 is still running really well at 175K. It has been my daily driver for 10+ years. I have repaired and replaced a number of things on it over the years, but no engine or trans issues, and nothing has come close to the cost of payments on a new one. I can't justify a vehicle payment that rivals my mortgage! If not for the constant battle with rust, I think I'd try to keep it another 10 years.

 

Rust! The ds was replaced once (all Ford) but the ps could use some tlc. Plans on total make over in the not so distant future. Way cheaper than a truck payment.

The Lightning could use a little tlc also. Someone rpl some of the body with aftermarket metal. Totally hate that fact. I'll get rust free Ford sheet metal for it also.

I love my trucks. I don't think a new one will come my way any time soon. Maybe a Roush Stang though.

 

Oh you have a lightning, now I'm jealous! I just pulled the bed and grinded/sanded the loose rust off my frame, axles, springs, underside of the bed and cab, etc and sprayed it will chassis saver. It looks pretty good, hopefully it holds up. Should have it back on the road in the next few weeks.

 

I got my father's 99 F250, when he passed and he put 168K miles on it. I have it up to 175K. And it just keeps running. Needs a little attention. And my dad drove this in Buffalo NY so rust is a bit of a problem, but so far it's just underneath and the body just has some bubbling here and there. But it just keeps running. I'm going to try to keep this thing running as long as possible.

 

We have a 98 Merc Mountaineer at 223K with the 4.0 SOHC. Did the tranny at 170ish it is paid for so cheap to drive and starts everytime.

 

2000 PSD 350K still running strong!

 

My dad's '98 Mountaineer had 355k miles on it when the trans finally let go. Great truck!

 

My old mans 1998 F150 xlt v8 2wd is at 332,000 MILES!!! No leaks, trans is smooth and spins out the tires on pavement if she needs to, has great power. I think in all the years he has put plugs in once at around 220-250 k. and other things like brake work and starter etc. Common wear items. Trans fluid might have been changed out around 200k.

This is a marvel of modern engineering and the impetus behind me picking up another (I had a 1988 Bronco Custom) ford truck my current rig for work and fishing.

JC

On a side note:

My mechanic of 15 years loves ford trucks, he is mainly an Audi/Porsche/Mercedes/VW shop and I have seen some $500,000+ cars in there before! I don't know why he works on my familys cars but I was going to him when his business was a tiny garage and I had A used ford bronco small v8 4x4. He is the most honest mechanic I have ever met and we have a great friendship, that does not interfere with our business.

He is not the cheapest mechanic, the labor rate is I think $115 for normal cars, and he does not use cheap parts. He is happy to allow "new" customers to observe the guys working on their fancy cars, but after your first trip you feel like you are spying. If you call for a price on tires, he just matches the local firestone or equivalent. When you screw up one of those new tires on the beach a few hours after he installs them, he will fix it and not give you a bill. I have seen some of the guys laugh at my rusty pickup on the lift in the bay with 5 other exotics worth upwards of $100k each.

Find a good mechanic, be nice to the staff. You have to develop TRUST with your mechanic, it is a personal relationship. Over the years and many many poor vehicle decisions on my part he has always guided me in the right direction. My old bronco was making an odd noise (Crate engine replaced at 100k and it had 20k on it) and I had it towed to a local guy. Long story short, he told me the tow was over $200 and the fix would be around $12-1500, it was plugs and a gasket or something, it was a long time ago. If I wanted, he would give me $400 and I could sign the truck over to him, he had the paperwork already filled out (I had the title in the glove compartment).

Obviously even being a 19 year old kid I realized something was up and said, is it still running right now. He said "yep it runs, but it probably won't make it 5 miles" I handed him $200 and grabbed the keys, fired her up into reverse and pulled out of the engine bay. Went right to my current guy and told him the story looking in his eye. He (Dirk Becker) replaced somethings or other for around $500 and I drove the truck another six years without major issues until the 4x4 and tranny started acting up.

JC