Hey;
Thanks to a recent addition to the family, I am now looking to upgrade from my SC to a CC. I currently have the 5.4l gasser, but am looking at the diesels, as I have wanted one for a long time (don't really need it, just want it). I found out this past weekend that I can't afford new, nor can I afford what I want in the '07 or '06 models. I have however, found exactly what I want in two 2004 CC's most of what I want in a 2005. All three have about the same mileage (40-50K), and all three are CC, 4x4, and auto. The difference is that the two '04's are lariats (nice) and the '05 is an XLT. The price of all three is within $1K, but as I am diesel challenged, I wondered if you all could provide some guidance. Should I stay away from the '04's for some reason (motor?); or should I stay away from all three and keep looking for something I can afford in the '06-'07 models. I will be trading in my '01 F250 SC, so if all things are essentially equal, it will come down to the whoever gives me the best deal. Any advice you all could lend would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

oasis oasis oasis oasis oasis oasis oasis oasis oasis!!!!!
Oh yeah get a oasis report

 

Okay, I'm "challenged"; is an oasis report the same thing as CARFAX, or is it something additional? Thanks.

 

Totally different report. Oasis will outline in the vehicle has been in for repair or service warranty work adn what the work was. You may be able to avoid a vehicle with long wrranty history by checking the oasis reports. Any Ford dealer can look it up for you, and some people on this site can provide them.

 

Here's where to go: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...st-thread.html

 

I always wondered and coundn't find any evidence, is OASIS an acronym that Ford uses or just the name of their system?

 

I have a early 04 one of the ones with a 03 motor. It has 75k on the clock now. It has just had a few minor waranty issues. My truck runs great. I bought it with 54k last may. I actualy found out about the oasis after I purchased my truck. I have no regrets

 

I have an 04 and love it, bet given the option, I would go with an 05 (with clean oasis) because it has a better turning radius, more options for OEM wheel sizes (buying used off ebay etc), bigger brakes, factory boost gauge, updated interior, and is supposed to ride better.

 

Okay, thanks to the great folks on here, I have all three OASIS reports, and unfortunately, I am now more confused than before. What constitutes a "clean" OASIS report? All three trucks have several records in their respective reports, but the majority of all of them are recalls. So, if I scrap the recalls (assuming the work that was been done corrected a problem that existed with all of them) I get the following report "highlights":
Truck 1 ('04): Replaced EGR valve at 26K; Replaced EGR valve & VGT Solnoid at 29K; Replaced turbo (rusted) at 44K.
Truck 2 ('04): Replace trans planetary at 18K; Replace fuel manifold assembly at 18K; Replace exhaust back pressure sensor at 25K; Reaplce EGR valve and clean intake at 40K
Truck 3 ('05): (quoted tech notes) "perform pressure test on coolant system pinpoint antifreeeze coming out of degas bottle bad head gaskets remove access cab and all necessary parts remove cyl heads and check for flatness OK clean all gasket areas replace head gaskets reinstall all parts evacuate and charge A/C system....." at 45K

I think I like the '05 better, and think I can get a better price on it than on the (2) '04's, but based on those OASIS highlights, what do you all think? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

I second the 05. The 04's still use leaf springs up front.

 

It's funny that the 04's are supposed to be more vulnerable to head gasket issues, but the 05 is the one with head gasket problems. If it were me, based on the oasis reports, I would be really cautious of the 05 due to the head gasket problem (even though it turns better). Drive the 04's and see which one feels better, then see which one is the color you like, or just flip a coin.

When I purchased my truck, I had no idea what an oasis report was. After finding FTE I got an oasis and found out that my truck had head gaskets replaced and the planetary gears replaced along with some other small stuff. Had a I known this I probably wouldn't have bought the truck, however, it's been a good truck and I have never regretted the purchase. Maybe it's just a crap shoot.

 

Has the 05 had any issues with the hpop fixed? If not i would be cautious.

 

If I were choosing and had to make a choice, I'd probably go with truck 2. Why? The rusted turbo and VGT solenoid work on truck 1 could mean it's seen overboost conditions and is a blown head gasket waiting to happen. Not saying it has seen overboost, but the potential is there with thest types of problems. Truck 3 has already seen a blown head gasket, which makes me leery. However, if the repair work was done well then that issue may be fixed for life. Who knows.

However, if I didn't have to make a choice and had time to continue looking, that's what I'd do. I'd continue looking for one with a clean bill of health or one that had only minor issues in its history.

 

Regarding the head gasket replacement on the '05, from the tech's notes, they checked the heads for warpage and they were OK, so all they did was replace the head gaskets. I assume that also means that they did not replace the studs. Based on experiences you all have had, does that sound like a "band-aide" fix that will come back to haunt the next owner, or is that fairly typical and the correct fix? I would think that if the heads were not warped, then the studs shouldn't be stretched, and the failure was just a bad gasket. Does that sound right, or is the gasket failure likely a result of something else? Thanks in advance.

 

I may be wrong but I beleive that the gasket kit comes withe new bolts. The correct fix would be to install arp head studs. But that usually comes out of the owners pocket and not all dealers will install them.