2003 F150 5.4 4x4 supercrew ,76k miles

Hello all, recently the passenger side exhaust manifold cracked on my truck. I bought this truck about two years ago with 58k on it and currently have 76k miles. I remember getting the carfax report and being relieved to see that it had exhaust manifold replaced in July of 2014 at 49K miles along with a new EGR tube. I called the shop that worked on the truck to see if he could confirm that both manifolds were replaced since carfax only said manifold & egr tube. The shop manager confirmed that both manifolds were replaced and he told me that they were most likely manifolds from napa according to the part number.

Now, my question to you guys is, what's the best brand to replace the manifolds with? Should I just go with OEM and spend the extra $130 per side? I know the manifolds are a common problem with these trucks but only lasting three years and 27K miles just seems ridiculous to me.

I'm hoping that when I get around to actually doing this that they wont be to bad because of how recently they were replaced. For now I just cleaned the area with a wire wheel and used the inferno metal repair. Seems to have done the job but I don't expect it to last long, just another month or two until I move to a place where I can actually work on my vehicles.

Thanks in advance

 

If your set on replacing the exhaust manifold with another OEM style, I'd probably go the motorcraft. But yes, only getting 27k does seem to be extreme low life. If it doesn't gas you out driving & you can stand the extra noise....It probably can wait till ya to your new digs. provided that you're not driving hundreds of miles

I'd carefully check the motor mounts and the transmission mounts....If they are offering too much flex/ movement, that in turn, can put extra stress on the exhaust.

If and when I need to do mine I'll probably go with headers. but that is me.