I will probably be buying a newer truck (probably 97-98 F150, currently I drive a 92 Explorer) within the next few months. The truck will most likely have between 90-110k on it. Are there any major problems I should be especially aware of when looking? How long do transmissions usually last on these? Thanks!

 

Also does anyone know if a bench seat is standard?

 

I have a 2001 Supercab, purchased new, now with 66K miles. The only weakness has been the Coil on Plugs (individual coils for each cylinder; no traditional distributor or spark plug wires). I don't think they went to this design 'til 1999 or 2000. I think it is a better design generally, but the life of the coils is sometimes short.

Ford specifies trans fluid change at 30K; most don't bother, so this is a concern.

I have heard that some have had oil leaks at the heads. Check the archives here. Also, in 1999 or so, the heads were redesigned and substatially improved on the 5.4. I guess I'd try to get the"PI" heads if I could afford it.

Good luck,
Brian
PS: I believe bench seat is always standard, even in Lariat, but many people do get buckets and console.

 

Thanks, I'll keep that stuff in mind. I know the tranny life depends on maintenance/use, but I still wonder if some people could tell me at what mileage their tranny had to be replaced. Thanks.

 

Watch out for 97's and early 98's with the 4.2L. They had troubles with timing cover leaks and lower intake leaks. Most trucks I have seen do come with the 60/40 split bench seats.

 

The thing about automatic transmissions is that if its made it to 90,000 miles, and was and continues to be serviced regularly, and not overheated or otherwise abused, it'll probably make 200,000 miles or more. But you can't really be sure what's happened before you got it! In other words, nobody can predict its probable life with any degree of certainty.

 

Do not get a 97 or 98 f150 w/ a 4.2 v6.

 

Just an observation, but most of the posts I've seen around this forum that deal with the 97-03 F-150 problems have been about the 97. Could be that's because it's the oldest, but I suspect it's because that was the first model year of the change.

 

I am kinda in the same boat, I just got a 99 F 150 with 100k miles on it from the first owner who took very good care of the truck.
All seems good but you just never know how long they will last.
After replaceing both tranmissions in my 89 and 95 E 150 vans both went out right at 110k miles,
I was thinking real hard before I purchased this F 150.
I know they are two different transmission from the vans to the trucks but I still wonder how long it will go????

 

Well, if he really took very good care of it, he should have changed the trans fluid three times. If he did that, and wasn't otherwise hard on it, I would not be too worried. But of course, it's your truck, and s**t does happen!

 

I replaced my transmission in my 97 f-150 last February. Did not record the milage but I beleive it had around 105000 km. I dont blame the truck however, only myself for not servicing the transmission for the six years that I had it and also because I got stuck in my drive way last winter after a very bad snow storm. I was way to hard on the trans giving it the gears going back and forth trying to get out. Two days later my truck would only go in reverse. Took it to a private mechanic who had expereince on trans and got it fixed for about $1500 bucks. Now I check my trans fluid level more often and try to take it easy in the snow. It's got 118000km on it now with no problems since.