Hey all
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Hey all
howdy all .. New to the forums .. first post ..
I am thinking really hard about buying a 1997 F150 4.6L V8 ... and have a few questions ..
1) I pull a boat or a popup camper with my current Dodge durango .. however I really want a truck to do this .. are they good tow vehicals? I will be towing a 21' Sea Swearl with cuddy .. or a Palamino FL popup camper rated at 2700# (I dont know exactly what the boat is though) Will this be good to pull them with?
2) its got quite a few miles .. 135K ... what is the expected milage for this engine? ... they are asking 7,200 for it .. according to Kelly Blue Book its worth 8,100 .. so .. I am ahead there ..
Any information would be great!
I am thinking really hard about buying a 1997 F150 4.6L V8 ... and have a few questions ..
1) I pull a boat or a popup camper with my current Dodge durango .. however I really want a truck to do this .. are they good tow vehicals? I will be towing a 21' Sea Swearl with cuddy .. or a Palamino FL popup camper rated at 2700# (I dont know exactly what the boat is though) Will this be good to pull them with?
2) its got quite a few miles .. 135K ... what is the expected milage for this engine? ... they are asking 7,200 for it .. according to Kelly Blue Book its worth 8,100 .. so .. I am ahead there ..
Any information would be great!
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Springdale Arkansas
As with anything fluids are the key. If it has an automatic transmission, my biggest concern would be if the fluids had been regularly changed. If they haven't I wouldn't even consider buying it without some sort of discount considering a new transmission is going to cost 15-2300 dollars.
My mother just sold her isuzu (109k) because the transmission slipped when her camper was attached, runs perfectly otherwise. Someone is going to get a surprise a few miles down the road after they buy that isuzu. (She's trading it in).
As far as mileage. I'm at 150k+ and going strong on mine. Would not hesitate to drive it across country (I did last week).
kw
My mother just sold her isuzu (109k) because the transmission slipped when her camper was attached, runs perfectly otherwise. Someone is going to get a surprise a few miles down the road after they buy that isuzu. (She's trading it in).
As far as mileage. I'm at 150k+ and going strong on mine. Would not hesitate to drive it across country (I did last week).
kw
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
1997 169k miles 4x4offroad 4.6L excelent condition drives like she were new
Friend has same truck but 2x4 w/ 232k miles, drives just as well as mine
From everything ive heard, the engines aren't what you worry about in these trucks ive never heard of anyone loosin an engine
Heard of a couple ppl. loosin the trannies but its rare
Friend has same truck but 2x4 w/ 232k miles, drives just as well as mine
From everything ive heard, the engines aren't what you worry about in these trucks ive never heard of anyone loosin an engine
Heard of a couple ppl. loosin the trannies but its rare
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
You'll come to find that a pickup will tow trailers alot better than a SUV could ever dream of.
IMO, the 4.6L would and could get the job done, but I think that you would be alot better off with the 5.4L for pulling a boat that size, and that camper.
The 5.4L gets just a bit worse gas milage, but it makes up for it in towing performance, and it will give you some room for a larger camper down the road.
Check out this link for payload and trailer capacities the truck that you are looking at.
http://www.fordtrucks.com/specs/index.html
It doesnt go down to 97, but it will give you an idea.
IMO, the 4.6L would and could get the job done, but I think that you would be alot better off with the 5.4L for pulling a boat that size, and that camper.
The 5.4L gets just a bit worse gas milage, but it makes up for it in towing performance, and it will give you some room for a larger camper down the road.
Check out this link for payload and trailer capacities the truck that you are looking at.
http://www.fordtrucks.com/specs/index.html
It doesnt go down to 97, but it will give you an idea.
Rub my Belly
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,093
Likes: 1
From: Lawrence, KS
I have a 97 f-150 4.6 4x4. I really like the truck but when it comes to towing I wish it would have the 5.4. The 4.6 will tow but lacks some power. I'm used to the chevy 350s and when I first towed anything with the 4.6 I thought it was kinda doggy. There really is not much differance in mpg between the 5.4 and 4.6 (4x4 at least). If the seller would let you, ask him if you could take a test drive with your camper or boat behind it.
btw ... Mine has 112,000 on it and runs great. I would trust it anywhere.
btw ... Mine has 112,000 on it and runs great. I would trust it anywhere.
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dalfollo
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