Hello FTE's:

Need to buy a rig so I can put my '68 F100 in dry dock for a little while.

Thinking '04-'08 F150, but since I've spent most of my grease monkey time working on older Fords, I really have no clue about "modern" Ford powertrains.

Anybody have any words of wisdom regarding reliability, drivability, etc of the various '04-'08 combos?

This will be primarily for city driving, relatively short distances on a daily basis, with the occasional lawn mower or transmission in the bed. I'm good with auto or manual transmission.

Thx

Ken

 

The 4.6 is pretty bulletproof and more than adequate for the use you describe. If you need to tow or haul heavy loads the 5.4 would be a better choice, but they have had issues with the valve train and spark plugs. If it was me I'd be looking for a 4.6.

The only place you'll find a manual tranny is with the 4.2 6 cylinder.

 

Weren't the spark plugs changed from the 2 piece design to the new version from the factory in 08? So in an 08 5.4 you shouldn't have to worry about that..but I mean really once their changed, which they should be at 100k there shouldn't be A spark plug problem anymore on the 5.4..and some people have Tick noise with the 5.4s so that's something to research. But I wouldn't get too worried about buying a 5.4, I myself prefer going with the biggest engine with most power..better to have it and not need it, my 04 5.4 is going on 155k and no problems so far.. I find it very comfortable and the super crew has tons of room in the back seat and I'm 6'4"

 

I personally like my 4.2 liter V6. I have the manual, though they can be pretty difficult to find. The 4.2 is an old style OHV-pushrod engine with 2 valves per cylinder. It's free of all of the issues that the V8's had with spark plugs breaking upon trying to extract them. The hardest thing about working on it is the way the motor is situated in the frame. It's placed down low and pretty far back in the engine bay, so accessing anything on the back of the engine from topside can be a chore. Otherwise it's bulletproof and the power should be sufficient for your needs. The V6 was only available in Regular cab models with 2wd, though. If you prefer the supercab, you'll get a V8. As mentioned above, V8's were not available with a manual. My 2wd with limited slip does fine in the snow when properly set up. But if you're in TX, you shouldn't have to worry about that. Good luck and happy hunting! Please post pictures of whatever you end up finding.
As far as durability out of the V6, I've only got 105k on mine, but there's other people on FTE with well north of 200,000 on their 4.2's and still going strong! 2008 was the final year of the 4.2. By the way, mine still runs like new and I'm not afraid to work it hard and get on it when needed. It's a hard workin' mill!

 

Sounds like the 4.6 would be a perfect fit for you. The 5.4s have a few more issues, though the 08s were pretty solid.

 

Thanks much guys for the responses. Just what I was needing.

Thx

Ken