mileage on the motor and trans are minimal... I would be more worried about the body and frame condition on a 20 year old truck. You live in the north east.. sale used on roads... was the truck run in winter or parked... areas to look for

• rear frame above the spare tire for rust.
• rear frame above the axle area for rust
• brake line / fuel line rust in the area above the rear axle
• frame rust around the radiator mounts
• rust in the rocker panels and lower 2 inches of the doors.

 

Here is a different way to look at it.
Depends on how good you are with going to the extra effort to study and learn about how the systems work and being able to interpret codes, use common sense and willing to do the work.
If the rest of the truck is exceeding good, trans shifts properly, brakes are in good shape, tires good etc, you a have a good base to work from.
My 02 4x4 super crew has 282 + on it and a long way from giving up.
Bottom line is what it means to you and your ability to maintain it.
My motto has been if I have to take it home and fixit for the price, either the price comes down or I don't buy if the seller wants to much.
A different consideration comes to play if the price is low, I have to fix it, then I know what I have.
Most of the time on a high mileage vehicle, it's the trans I can't put max trust in for the price.
At 75k, the trans should still be quite good if it has been maintained. Check the dip stick. A clean pink color should be seen. Look under for any leaks.
Don't hurt to ask what the best price is before buying.
Good luck.

 

Im the original owner of a 1998 F 150 with 109k on the clock .5.4 4 whell drive never over heated .
blown motor water in The oil .
My buds is a 2004 5.4 with 176k blown motor
My nephew hss a 1998 5.4 with 289k and motor fine but went thru 5 radiators .
Hit and miss I can only think .
The 6 cylinder ones seem ok 😂 �� 😂 👌

 

If you want a cheap pickup and you live up north, I would probably make my way to Texas, Alabama, Florida, Arizona, etc and buy one from there. They don't put salt on their roads in the winter. A used truck from down south should be a cream puff. I've seen 97 to 2000 trucks that run great with 100k miles. I just wouldn't want one with a bunch of rust on it. I would never want to buy a used vehicle from up north. Been there, done that.

 

I have a 2001 with 185,000 miles on it, the engine burns 3/4 quarts of oil in the Winter between 5,000 mile oil changes, and a little over a quart during the summer. The 4.6 is a solid engine. I would plan on replacing all the fluids at that mileage, unless they have records of doing this. Do not go for a transmission flush, get the pan dropped and done right. If the rubber stopper is still in the pan, it's never been changed. The differential also will need Fords friction modifier on a fluid change. As far as rust, I've had to replace the lower spring shackles. Radiator mounts have some rust. The only thing else I replaced that's a little more than standard wear is all the Brake hoses. They were replaced with Russel DOT Stainless braid hoses. The electrical problems are, passenger window switch, console temperature readout, I re-soldered it , Odometer light re-soldered, Odometer still recorded. Oil pressure sender wiring. Truck has original AC Charge, and Alternator.

 

Do your plugs get fouled up? You didn't start the vehicle on fully synthetic oil when it was brand new until now?

 

 

My 98 has302,500 or so. It has rust but I live In Minnesota. I've had to replace a couple coils now and then but drive it for work every day. Still runs pretty good.

 

That's why I stopped using Mobil 1 years ago and switched to Amsoil. I've never had any oil consumption. Had one car that I used for package deliveries that went 400,000+ miles and it ran like new the entire time. I was putting as much as 900 to 1500 miles per week on it. I sold it to a friend for $1000 and they put another 200,000 miles on it. It's still running.

 

All of the above posts have terrific information. My 01 SuperCrew 4.6l just turned 449k yesterday and is still going fine. No engine or transmission work. EVAP is a different story... It's kinda like opening a "box of chocolates" you just never know what you may get. However, I've been Blessed with my truck and might give it a try!

 

That's super low mileage for the year.
Look for rust. mechanicals should be fine.
My 02 Supercrew 2wd 4.6L has almost 200k. I've replaced the plugs and coil packs, and rebuilt the front suspension.
Gone thru a couple sets of tires, and shocks, but other wise it is running good.
I've been fortunate here in the Midwest, and the only serious rust I have is my rockers.
I've seen many trucks of the same year that were much worse.
I'm pretty **** about cleaning my truck though, even in the winter.
If it gets into the 40's I'll be out washing my truck in the drive. LOL
My wife has pics of me washing it with snow on the ground around it.

 

I used to go to the car wash and pay $3 to get out and spray the car when it was like 6 degrees outside. It was brutal. I had to wash the car every 2-3 days because there was so much salt all over it.