What to look for?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
From: city of angels
i have the same year, make and model that youre about to acquire...
ive had no problems...(except terrible mileage) and ive beaten the CRAP outta my truck.
its been down to mexico twice (we got a little air 6 times)
and i couldnt even count how many times shes been out in the desert.
never any issues whatsoever.
you should be fine - just check for normal wear & tear.
congrats & good luck!
drj
ive had no problems...(except terrible mileage) and ive beaten the CRAP outta my truck.
its been down to mexico twice (we got a little air 6 times)
and i couldnt even count how many times shes been out in the desert.
never any issues whatsoever.
you should be fine - just check for normal wear & tear.
congrats & good luck!
drj
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
Likes: 3
From: SE Wyoming
Best year to have, it has the improved heads and Ford had 7 years to figure out everything else that could have gone bad.
Trending Topics
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: YYC
check your rear end...see if there is slop and play where the drive shaft goes..and check the differential cover for cracks or marks.
i just bought a 97 and learnt my lesson with this...the rear-end went once on it(seller never informed me of this and he is original owner)..and it blew a whole in the rear cover...i found out later they just JB welded it up and covered it in some mud..so i could never tell...they put new gears in..but didn't even clean the pieces out of the rear end!!!
THNX
Duggy
i just bought a 97 and learnt my lesson with this...the rear-end went once on it(seller never informed me of this and he is original owner)..and it blew a whole in the rear cover...i found out later they just JB welded it up and covered it in some mud..so i could never tell...they put new gears in..but didn't even clean the pieces out of the rear end!!!
THNX
Duggy
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / Worst Features Of The 2025+ Ford Expedition
Brett Foote
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition
Joe Kucinski
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,047
Likes: 2
From: North west La
I consider the 03 the best yr of this bodystyle. Its the yr Ford fixed the plug blowing problem by adding more threads to the plug holes. If I did the pi head swap to my truck I'd want 03 heads.
