best or worst years
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: California
best or worst years
I'm shopping to for a used 150 and am looking for opinions on the best years for a 4X super cab, or maybe just year(s) to stay away from. What is most important is performance on rough roads; wash boarded and mud/snow.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,058
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From: South Jersey
I wont tell you directly what years to stay away from because I'm not about to start a debate, but the years that has had the most issues are the '04's and some '05's. For off roading and rough roads I would get the FX4. They have larger wheels. skid plates and specially tuned shocks. Plus the FX4's have some nice interiors too, but pretty much any 4x4 would work just fine. I personally would chose the 5.4 motor because it provides more torque that you can feel for moving the truck through the tough stuff.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,607
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
all the 4x4's have the same size tire(ish) height wise
ride wise, IMO the FX4 has the stiffest ride...and the best one for offroad. For me, the normal 4x4 seems a bit spongier, and has a little bit more wallow in the corners
years to avoid
By 2006, I'd say that 80-90% of these issues have been addressed and no longer are a problem. I had 0 issues with my 2006 FX4...that thing was awesome. Many times I had it up on 2 wheels and it was very happy.
please don't let my list scare you off from a nice 04/05 truck. The problems are potentially there of course...but I know a ton of people who don't have any of these problems.
the FX4 and Lariat get the premium sized tires automatically...17" (275/70/17), 18" (275/65/18), or 20" (275/55/20) rims with a 32" tires
everybody else seems to get 255/70/17 as the base tire (31.5" roughly)
everybody else seems to get 255/70/17 as the base tire (31.5" roughly)
ride wise, IMO the FX4 has the stiffest ride...and the best one for offroad. For me, the normal 4x4 seems a bit spongier, and has a little bit more wallow in the corners
FX4 gets LT rated tires (mostly) stock, and the shocks are different from the normal 4x4...otherwise, exact same suspension
years to avoid
they are all awesome trucks...that being said, I'll answer your question
the 04 and 05 trucks had a few growing pains. nothing major really, but a few stumbling blocks
the 04 and 05 trucks had a few growing pains. nothing major really, but a few stumbling blocks
brakes - rotors like to warp on early 04's
injectors - 05's got a bad batch that like to fail open
cam phaser rattle - 04/05's have a few different components than the 06+ trucks...so they tend to sound like a diesel when idling
parking brake - they stick unless you use them all the time...infrequent use makes the issue worse apparently
steering wheel shake - for some reason, the 04/05's sometimes are super sensitive to wheel balance problems...I personally think it is a combination of the brake rotor thing and unbalanced wheels
Rear LS clutch packs - weird one, but some people have issues. no 1 single identifier that can be traced out
and the biggest offenders I read about:
injectors - 05's got a bad batch that like to fail open
cam phaser rattle - 04/05's have a few different components than the 06+ trucks...so they tend to sound like a diesel when idling
parking brake - they stick unless you use them all the time...infrequent use makes the issue worse apparently
steering wheel shake - for some reason, the 04/05's sometimes are super sensitive to wheel balance problems...I personally think it is a combination of the brake rotor thing and unbalanced wheels
Rear LS clutch packs - weird one, but some people have issues. no 1 single identifier that can be traced out
and the biggest offenders I read about:
IWE - there is a vacuum solenoid on the firewall. it gets wet and fails. then your hubs engage while you drive
5.4 engine spark plugs - affects 2004-early 2008 models - bit of a bad design. the spark plugs tend to sieze in the head...so they sometimes break off...pretty painful repair $$$.
5.4 engine spark plugs - affects 2004-early 2008 models - bit of a bad design. the spark plugs tend to sieze in the head...so they sometimes break off...pretty painful repair $$$.
By 2006, I'd say that 80-90% of these issues have been addressed and no longer are a problem. I had 0 issues with my 2006 FX4...that thing was awesome. Many times I had it up on 2 wheels and it was very happy.
the F-150 is a pretty capably truck in stock form...just get a good set of mudders and you'll be surprised at what it can take you through
please don't let my list scare you off from a nice 04/05 truck. The problems are potentially there of course...but I know a ton of people who don't have any of these problems.
plus, if you can get a OASIS report, they can tell the entire history. You might get lucky and find a truck that had all the issue corrected already if they ever existed
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: Bethlehem, PA
Just to add to what Tylus is saying about shying away from those years...I have an '05 with the 5.4l. 0 problems with noise or cam phaser issues. Truck runs like a dream. Ive had it for over 10,000 miles, and it now has 28,000 on it. I haven't had my plugs done yet. I also run Amsoil full synthetic in everything I own; Dont know if that helps the cam phaser issue or not, but I love my truck the same.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: North West Lower Michigan
Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda.
years to avoid
please don't let my list scare you off from a nice 04/05 truck. The problems are potentially there of course...but I know a ton of people who don't have any of these problems.
they are all awesome trucks...that being said, I'll answer your question
the 04 and 05 trucks had a few growing pains. nothing major really, but a few stumbling blocks
5.4 engine spark plugs - affects 2004-early 2008 models - bit of a bad design. the spark plugs tend to sieze in the head...so they sometimes break off...pretty painful repair $$$.
[/indent][/indent]the 04 and 05 trucks had a few growing pains. nothing major really, but a few stumbling blocks
5.4 engine spark plugs - affects 2004-early 2008 models - bit of a bad design. the spark plugs tend to sieze in the head...so they sometimes break off...pretty painful repair $$$.
please don't let my list scare you off from a nice 04/05 truck. The problems are potentially there of course...but I know a ton of people who don't have any of these problems.
plus, if you can get a OASIS report, they can tell the entire history. You might get lucky and find a truck that had all the issue corrected already if they ever existed
CCB
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,607
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
OASIS is the Ford in-house Maintenance/Tracking system. It tracks vehicles by their VIN #.
Basically a cradle to grave setup. If any Ford shop ever sees the truck, the work performed gets entered. Kind of a nice tool if the prior owner used a Dealership
Basically a cradle to grave setup. If any Ford shop ever sees the truck, the work performed gets entered. Kind of a nice tool if the prior owner used a Dealership
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 360
Likes: 2
From: Cherokee Co. GA.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
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05' IMO isn't any worse than the rest. My 5.4 05" has 68k without one visit to the dealer, etc.. Not one single itsy bitsy complaint. How many other year models can say that?????
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
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I have an '04 4x4 with 98,000 miles on it. had the scare with the plugs, and yes a couple of them broke, but i wouldn't worry about it if i had to change them again. I guess when you do it once its no problem the second time. What can be done about the "cam phaser rattle"?
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,607
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
fix 'em, or hope they just don't go bad.
there is a good rule of thumb I learned a long time ago about engines.
there is a good rule of thumb I learned a long time ago about engines.
if the engine is old, and you replace a part (ie: water pump)...you can pretty much count on something else breaking shortly.
Cam Phaser rattle is annoying...but IMO it's better to just wait until the motor blows, then replace it with a 2006+ longblock. About the same price, and much more effectivethe shared stress is moved from the new component to some other component...and that in turn will have a failure sooner.
maybe I'm imagining it, but it always holds true
maybe I'm imagining it, but it always holds true
besides, the Cam Phaser rattle will run you $1,000+ in parts/labor at a shop
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,878
Likes: 2,485
From: Louisiana
I have an '04 Supercrew with 78,000 miles and the only problem I have had is with the rotors. They have all been replaced, and the front ones have been replaced twice.
This has been the best truck I have ever had. I have enjoyed it more than any truck I have ever owned. I hope my next F-150 treats me as well as this one has.
This has been the best truck I have ever had. I have enjoyed it more than any truck I have ever owned. I hope my next F-150 treats me as well as this one has.
Last edited by FORD COASTIE; May 17, 2009 at 10:34 AM. Reason: wanted to add more to the post
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,607
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
@ Ford Coastie
if your rotors go bad again, take it to the Ford house. There is a TSB to replace the 2004 rotors with a different part, and this requires replacing the caliper as well
should fix your rotor problem from ever occuring again
if your rotors go bad again, take it to the Ford house. There is a TSB to replace the 2004 rotors with a different part, and this requires replacing the caliper as well
should fix your rotor problem from ever occuring again
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,313
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From: Sunny, Snowy, CO
Mine's new, but it would appear there are no systemic problems with the 08's. At this time. I think they got all the bugs worked out in the 04 and 05 years. I'm waiting to see if any of the gadgets in the 09's start failing down the road. Especially those side steps.
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