December 2013 BS Thread
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,843
Likes: 27
From: Eastern Ky
Wes, a lot of truth to what you said. In my opinion, the OBS was the last years for real good looking Ford trucks. They have been going down hill with regards to looks ever since in my opinion. Having said that, there is something to be said about the newer trucks. They are a lot quieter, nicer creature comforts, (yesterday I really wish my 02 had heated mirrors) better ride, etc. A lot of stuff I would not have considered in a truck. But the older I get, the more I like those options. I'm amazed at how quiet my 08 is!
You had reason to buy the 08; Work.
It is quiet, comfy and runs very well...All factors reducing driver fatigue, which is a big issue when driving 300+ miles per day.
But for me, I can do without heated mirrors (Heated seats would.be nice and might be an upgrade I get into at some point, because a $200 kit is cheaper than a $500/month payment) and as far as sound, yes I will agree my old truck is loud and gets obnoxious...
But $200 in Dynomat and a new OEM style muffler is going to fix that and I'm not.on the book for.a payment.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,843
Likes: 27
From: Eastern Ky
I'm reminded of a post made some time ago in a car thread buy a guy that has a 63 Vette. He said it is the most fun ride you can have for 20 minutes. But it is the worst ride you could have for an hour. The older we get, the more some things matter, and the less other things matter.
Technically, my truck started life as a no options work truck. No power anything, no tilt wheel and no ac.
It had the ac installed at the dealer, and now:
Power Lumbar Seat (Came out of the same truck as the Underhood Light)
Tilt Wheel (Came out of my old 1991 Crown Victoria)
Map Pockets (Came out of a 1990 F-150)
Underhood Light (Came off an XLT truck circa 1993)
Upgraded Dome Light (Came out of a 1996 F-250)
Power Rear View Mirror with Map Lights (Came out of a Lincoln Town Car)
Still need power windows and mirrors, but otherwise, as Ken said...Only thing it doesn't have is a butt scratcher.
Noise aside, I am completely fine with my 213,000 mile old truck. Obviously...I've had it since January 2011, so going on 4 yrs of owning it.
In that time I have made it MINE. I can get in my dads 1992 F-150 (Same exact truck) and it feels...Alien, to me.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
My wife's subaru forrester (2012) is much louder than the 2007 she had. And it all comes from the doors. I think she may have the doors done just because it is annoying!
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,843
Likes: 27
From: Eastern Ky
If I could get my doors and the floorpans done, my truck would be considerably quieter.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
I actually paid a guy to do my 02. As much as that stuff costs, he did it for me for just a little more than what I would have paid for the dynamat. He told me to start with the doors, and if more needs to be done, we'd do the floor pan and firewall. The doors made a huge difference. The floor pan and firewall made some difference, but the doors was much more noticeable.
Phantom of the Phorum
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,471
Likes: 1,696
From: Kentucky
Well, that was a miserable weekend, weather-wise, but we still had some fun.
We had a program kick-off that only had about a dozen show up. It should have been thirty or forty.
We had a great awards banquet with over a hundred and fifty. We even had a group of over fifty staying in our large cabin. Not bad.
The Jeep Liberty heard me talking about trading it off, so it's power steering pump conked out. I think I might shy away from the F250. I found a tape line on some trim, so it's had some body work. They did a great job on it, so that really didn't bother me as much as the turbo-diesel.
The same lot has an 04 F150 XLT 4x4 with the 5.4 Triton. It looks like it's in pretty good shape, although it does have 108,000 miles.
We had a program kick-off that only had about a dozen show up. It should have been thirty or forty.
We had a great awards banquet with over a hundred and fifty. We even had a group of over fifty staying in our large cabin. Not bad.
The Jeep Liberty heard me talking about trading it off, so it's power steering pump conked out. I think I might shy away from the F250. I found a tape line on some trim, so it's had some body work. They did a great job on it, so that really didn't bother me as much as the turbo-diesel.
The same lot has an 04 F150 XLT 4x4 with the 5.4 Triton. It looks like it's in pretty good shape, although it does have 108,000 miles.
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Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,843
Likes: 27
From: Eastern Ky
Well, that was a miserable weekend, weather-wise, but we still had some fun.
We had a program kick-off that only had about a dozen show up. It should have been thirty or forty.
We had a great awards banquet with over a hundred and fifty. We even had a group of over fifty staying in our large cabin. Not bad.
The Jeep Liberty heard me talking about trading it off, so it's power steering pump conked out. I think I might shy away from the F250. I found a tape line on some trim, so it's had some body work. They did a great job on it, so that really didn't bother me as much as the turbo-diesel.
The same lot has an 04 F150 XLT 4x4 with the 5.4 Triton. It looks like it's in pretty good shape, although it does have 108,000 miles.
We had a program kick-off that only had about a dozen show up. It should have been thirty or forty.
We had a great awards banquet with over a hundred and fifty. We even had a group of over fifty staying in our large cabin. Not bad.
The Jeep Liberty heard me talking about trading it off, so it's power steering pump conked out. I think I might shy away from the F250. I found a tape line on some trim, so it's had some body work. They did a great job on it, so that really didn't bother me as much as the turbo-diesel.
The same lot has an 04 F150 XLT 4x4 with the 5.4 Triton. It looks like it's in pretty good shape, although it does have 108,000 miles.
2.) The Triton 5.4l engine specifically has left a bad taste in the mouths of owners since its debut, in the form of the #5 sparkplug letting go ad rocketing straight up. Ford's "fix" is a $35 Helicoil kit and then you are charged $475 for the repair.
#3) Same engine has a similar sparkplug related issue, in that the plugs tend to.get rust frozen in place and then break off in 2 pcs on the way out, even at the 75,000 mile range. The extraction process is both a major pain in the *** and extensive.
If you go for the 2004, ask if it comes with a nice jug of Astroglide complementary, because I'm not saying EVERY 5.4l Triton is a problem engine, but how lucky do you feel on the gamble?
Just trying to help..
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,843
Likes: 27
From: Eastern Ky
Phantom of the Phorum
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,471
Likes: 1,696
From: Kentucky
Even the 239 Flathead was prone to cracks in the block around some of the head bolts. Even without the cracks the head bolts would sometimes leak coolant. That's why you have to use thread sealant when you put one together.
I don't remember which V6 my brother had in his Explorer, but the heads were prone to crack. He changed heads about as often as he changed plugs.
I do know what you're saying though. You're saying that in the gamble of used cars the odds would be on the house for those two engines. And I appreciate it.
The hunt continues......
Edit: I would pay good money to see a spark plug launch across a parking lot. That would be awesome.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
I'm still around. Had a very busy couple of days. Are you still looking at that F250? Or are you looking at some other trucks?
Looks like the snow we were suppose to get last night and this morning is coming down as rain!
Looks like the snow we were suppose to get last night and this morning is coming down as rain!