So some of you may have seen a little while back I was looking into something in the ‘10 and up range to use as a “new” work truck just for some of the modern comforts. The 96 has hit 500k plus miles and I want her to see 1mil so I figured taking a little load off of her would be a plus as well. Well, today, a family friend called and said she heard I was looking to buy and that she had an 02 sitting around. I drove this truck a few times about 10 years ago and fell in love. I knew EXACTLY which truck she was talking about! I didn’t know she still had it and after hearing her say “sitting for a few years” I immediately assumed critical fault and was wary. She goes on to tell me it needs new tires and the only reason she parked it was because she was tired of swapping car seats between it and her car. So, other than the obvious lines,hoses, battery and seals I’ll need to replace from sitting for so long, are there any major faults with these models I should be concerned with? Since it was free I won’t mind dumping 2500 into it since that’s roughly their sale price but passed that I might have to pass tia y’all and have a good one

 

Do the typical fluid swaps and an ignition tune up and fix any leaks. Other than that should be very reliable.

 

My Marquis with 4.6 was dead reliable, powerful, and good on gas. It was a phenominal used car. My 97 supercab 4.6 has been nothing but trouble from day one. I have considered selling it so many times, but kept having faith maybe I'd work through all the bugs. It had about 150K on it and I bet I haven't added 10K yet. Engine chain tensioners, water pump, radiator, heater core, entire a/c system, fuel pump, dash cluster, and front end squeaks needing rebuild. Nothing on it is easy to reach or take apart and work on. And, it's such a heavy truck, it's marginal on power and gets 17 mpg if I drive like an old granny....

 

Oh, and I forgot coil packs, plugs, wires, which is nothing unusual, except hard as heck to do. Honestly, if it throws a rod, I've considered pulling my 390 and C6 from a 4 door I have and putting that in. or my 351W and C6 from another failed project. I'd not go 4.6 again. I'll also not buy any other GM product with an LT1.

 

Im with Sam............ 4.6 is a VERY RELIABLE motor in this series of truck.......... Normal maint, fluids, brakes, hoses, belts... how many miles ?

 

I have no clue! I replaced injectors coils plugs evap all vacuum lines and the gas before I realized theft light was blinking! Just grabbed a pcm relay and hoping I can get it to fire and I’ll be able to tell you

 

turn the key ON, but not start... The THEFT light should come on for a few seconds, then go OFF.. If it does not go off, then the computer did not recognize the ignition key.. Could be KEY, wiring, or the PCM........ try another key if needed.

 

Yeah I got it to blink code 16 previously that’s why I grabbed the pcm relay and that didn’t work I have a friend that works at ford who is gonna come re program the key if that doesn’t work then I’m gonna have to trailer t to the garage and chase some wires