New here and looking for advice. I'm pretty sure I know what I want (F-150 SuperCrew), just looking for changes model years, reliability concerns, etc. so I'll lay it all out and see what everyone has to say.

I don't have the money to blow on a brand new one so I'm looking at models from '97 (I think thats the first year of the Screw) up to '02, maybe an '03. The Screw will be my daily driver and will primarily be used to haul me, the wife and two kids (w/carseats) here in Idaho (read mountains). On occasion I'll need to pick up construction supplies (4x8 sheets of everything), tools, etc. Eventually I plan on getting a 7x14 or 6x12 trailer (probably the later) to haul three full size bikes around (est. 3000lbs total) about twice a week during the warm months.

I'm pretty set on looking for a Screw w/the 5.4L and 3.73 gears. After reading the mileage reports they aren't much different than the 17mpg I pull down in my 4-Runner (with less room...and less power...a lot less power) so I'm not worried there.

So, I guess my concerns are:

Will a 4x8 sheet of ??? fit comfortably in the bed/how long is the bed?

How do you tell what gears are in it?

Any recommended towing upgrades considering my load (read: trans cooler)?

Any certain years better than others? (For any reason, engine/reliability, options, power...)

I heard something about the spark plugs not threading deep enough into the heads on some years of the 5.4L, yes/no?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks in advance for your help, I'm in the info-gathering/looking stage right now so the more information the better.

 

Welcome to FTE!

With the years that you are looking at, the spark plug blow out shouldn't be a problem as the heads were revised in mid-to late '00.

Finding a SuperCrew with 3.73's may be hard (after looking at the '02 specs, I don't think that it is possible), but the 3.55s get the job done.

A 4x8 Sheet will lay down in the bed, but you do have to leave the end gate down and use some tie downs. The bed length is 5.5' and the end gate is in the 2.5' neighbor hood.

A additional tranny cooler would be a nice upgrade, but the drop hitch is a must. If you find a truck that you like, you can always add the aux tranny cooler later. 3000lbs isn't really all that much, but it definately wouldn't hurt to have the Aux cooler.

Here's the technical stuff:

'02 F-150

I sure love my SuperCrew, I do wish it had a bit bigger bed, but it sure is hard to beat when taking 4-6 Adults and a boat to the lake.

 

Thanks for the reply and the welcome.

I edited my post to better clarify...I'm looking at any year (maybe not anymore) from '97 to '02/03. Which years were plagued with the spark plug problems?


The deep(er) gears are almost nessasary here in ID especially w/the towing (even though it's not much weight) I plan on doing. Is there a code on the door jam or other area that will give you the information on what gearing the vehicle carriers? I don't mind looking for it, I just need to know what to look for.


Fine with me, as long as it fits width (4') wise...I'm not too worried about the bed length. I'm used to Toyotas, please for give me!


Do they come with a factory cooler? I wasn't aware...my question was in regards to adding an additional aftermarket cooler. Anything to avoid trans problems.

Which sparks another question....from the spec sheet you gave it looks like to different 4spd autos were offered with the 5.4L, what's the low-down on either/both?

Thanks again for your help.

 

I have an 01 SuperCrew with the 4.6L and 3.55 gears. I have never had a problem towing with it (I don't tow in O/D). It pulled 4 4-wheelers and the trailer without hesitation.

I was dead set on the 5.4L when I was looking for my truck but this one came along at the right price so I settled for the 4.6L. I am quite happy with the capability of the 4.6L.

Just something to keep in mind.

 

The earlier years were more prone the the blow out. I wouldn't say that they are plauged though, a very, very small percentage of the total trucks built have had this problem.

I'm not 100% positive, but I believe that the 3.73's were never offered in a SuperCrew, just 3.55's. When you look at the transmission ratios and the tire size, the 3.55's aren't that bad of a gear really.

I tow my ~3500 boat in the Black Hills all the time with my 3.55s, and a couple of buddys tow their trailer queens quite often with the same setup.

As far as the factory tranny cooler, some come with, some don't, but all have transmission lines that run through your radiator. If it has the tow pkg, it should have the extra cooler.

 

Thanks for the replies. I will keep the 4.6 in mind, money will be a factor, I would just prefer the 5.4 (it sounds like you did at first too). I've talked to a couple people that have 3.73s in thier Screw, so it's possible but will probably be hard to find. Again, a want but not a must have.

Anyone else have any opinions/advice? What years should be avoided as far as the spark plug problem is concerned, and any years better than others? Other things to look for when buying? Sorry for all the questions, just looking to go into this well prepared.

 

I have a 2001 screw 4x4 lariet. I also have 3.55 gears, which aren't that bad, I also wanted 3.73, but they are hard to find. I tow a lot, some heavy loads(john deere skid steer) without any problems. On the door jam on the tag, if the axle code is "H9" it is 3.55, I'm not sure what the 3.73 code is, but if it's not a "H9" it's probably 3.73. Like the other guy said, I believe the spark plug problem was corrected in late 00. So try to find a late model 2000 or newer. I also have the 5.4l, lots of power, but also heard the 4.6 is pretty good too. The 4.6 also gets better fuel mileage. I get about 13.5mpg in city and about 18-20 highway, so not bad for a heavy truck. As far as which year is better, their al pretty much the same, the screw came out in 2000, so I usually give it a year to work out the bugs before I would buy. Hope this helps.