I had a 97 2.4L ranger years ago, was a nice truck but the auto trans started slipping bad and I was less mechanically inclined so I sold it.

Just recently bought a 2003 SuperCrew 4.6 rwd F150 from my neighbors daughter. I was out of town the day she was going to drop it off, so left the money with neighbor. For having 119000 miles the price was very good. My neighbor who I'd trust with the key to my house was the one who told me about it, and said it was solid.

Turns out her boyfriend was the one had been driving it for the past year as she had gotten a new car, and his friend was "doing the oil changes".

When I got home the day after they dropped it off, first thing I do on a new car, check fluids, etc. Engine oil dipstick is dry. Get new oil and filter. Only get 2 quarts of black oil to drain out including what came out of filter.

I put 5 qt back in to get it to the "Low" mark on dipstick, then 1 more totalling 6 to get it close to the full mark. Think it would be about 6.3 qt with the oversized filter i bought.

I called the lady who bought the truck and she says shes upset as I am to find out about this as she always took meticulous care of the truck and had no idea bf was not. After i got off phone with her my neighbor comes over with same sentiment. He told me as he was the one who told me it was in good running order and referred me to the deal, he will buy it from me if it turns out the engine suffered damage. So as much as this deal may have taken a turn from the worst, i know my neighbors word is good on that so at this point I can rest easy that if it blows up next week I'm not set back. My neighbor knows how I take meticulous care of my rigs so I think that helped him put that offer out knowing if it does bite it its no fault of mine.

For $2500, with as low as miles as this has if the engine did not get damage, this is still a good deal to me. The price was low because about a foot of fiberglass passenger bedside under taillight got broke out from someone rear ending truck. Insurance totalled truck so its a salvage title, and they bought a new bumper and fiberglass patch kit for body, which they included with truck but ill have to do that myself.

After the oil change i started it up and it seems to be idling OK. No loud knocking or concerning noises.

Cant drive it until trip permit comes in this week. Had to order new plates as lady who owned it had veteran plates on it.

Anyways, new here, and have always been more partial to chevy engines, but my 32 y/o GM work van is on its last leg so I went with this rig because it was the seemingly best option for my budget at this time. One thing I really like so far is how easy the oil changes are, really LOVE that little drain pan under filter! Cant see how anyone could ever get behind on oil changes when its that easy lol.

Any other things I should do before hitting the road with this thing? auto trans fluid change, rear diff? Ill be checking that stuff next.

So far it doesnt look like there are any leaks, coolant is at a good lvl and clean. As far as the cosmetics, ive never worked with fiberglass, but the pieces that broke off are all there so i think it can be puzzle fit back together then glassed over, finished then painted. May be easier to do this with bedside removed? Ill start a thread about that in particular with some pics.

 

Welcome to FTE. At the top left corner, of your screen, click on "Forums". Scroll down until you find, Performance, Engines and troubleshooting". Click on the Mondular 4.6-5.4 engine section. The fols there will be more than happy to help with any questions you might have.
Don't forget to join your state chapter too.

 

The 4.6 is a tough little engine. If you don't hear any bad sounds after a few thousand miles, you're probably good. If you're feeling ambitious, take a sample of the engine oil after a few thousand miles and send it in for testing. They can often find markers for internal parts failing that aren't making noise yet.

Check and maybe change the differential fluid. I had a SuperCrew from the same era pass me on the freeway today, and the differential was singing a loud song at a high pitch. We often forget about the differential's feelings in all of this. If it hasn't had a belt installed in a while, change that too.

Welcome aboard!