Going to look at a 02 f150 5.4 4x4 with about 60k miles. My question is what are the things I need to be concerned about with these year models? Ive read all the horror stories about the plugs popping out and insulators getting broken off and so on. Is this really that common, or is a case of there being millions of these trucks on the road and someone will statistically have problems. What else am I missing that I should be concerned about, tranny, t-case ect. In this particular case the tranny has been replaced. My last 5.4 lasted me 180,000mi in my 97 expedition before I sold it but I understand this is a different engine, or is it. Thanks guys.

 

I have an 02 Supercrew and I must say I am very pleased with it in terms of maintenance. I have had the sparkplug blow out and as it may sound common, because it is a big repair bill to do it right, there are millions of f150's out there that have yet to have one blow out.

As for the insulators being broken, i'm pree sure you're talking about the COPS, then that's the same thing millions out there without a problem. With 60000 miles and if it was properly taken care of you won't be dissappointed in what you are getting.

On my truck with 120000 miles I just had to change the rear seal on the transfer case which isn't all that hard even if you don't know what you're doing. Just had the axle shaft seals go as well and replaced them. the entire front end has been replaced with moog parts.

Another problem that may be seen as common on these trucks are the manifolds/studs. The studs tend to rust out and then cause a leak. I've had a leak on my truck for a while now and it hasn't changed, however, this was not caused by broken/rusted studs and it's been 7 years now through michigan roads and winters.

To sum it all up, the only out of the ordinary problem, which some may see as ordinary, I have come across on these trucks is the spark plug blowout. All the other stuff that has went bad on my truck I would consider wear and tear items i.e. front chassis and suspension parts, transfer case seal, u-joints, etc. As long as you keep them maintained they stay happy. There are many horror stories of problems out there on this forum and others but how many threads do you see get started about people complaining about how good there truck runs.

 

Pay attention to the steering parts. 60k is when some of the steering parts start to wear: lower ball joints, hub bearing, idler, tie rod ends, ect.

 

Thanks, do you consider these parts to wear at a "normal" rate or are you saying this is this a trouble area with this model.

 

No im talking about the electrode shield on the plug breaking off in the head.

 

at 60k check the trans fluid, coolant, brake fluid, tires, brakes, suspension and steering, tune up and differential fluid. At 60k, it's about time for those to be changed or coming up in about 10-15k. Those are the only things as far as basic maintenance that I can see. Ball joints do tend to wear rather fast on these things. Make sure that if they need replacing, you get the camber/caster kit for alignment. If you're half a gearhead, it's common sense and you'll be good to go. Best of luck

 

I believe the spark plug ( porcelain separating from lower electrode is only in the 3 valve 5.4 tritons.

 

That may be true, but not nearly as bad as the previous generation of F-series that they replaced. I didn't replace ball joints on my 97 until 150K, my 03 with 60K has all original parts in good shape. 60K is a good time for a tranny flush and check out the brakes.

 

Thanks guys, but we are talking about routine maint types of things. The question I have is are there any common problems with these trucks that I wouldnt know if i didnt own one, which is why im asking you guys. For example All vehicles need to have fluids change, not all vehicles spit out plugs and wear ball joints excessively.

 

Ball joints and spider gears in the 8.8 are the biggest things I've heard from with these trucks. And that's about it honestly as far as I know. A guy on here named Garbz who knows quite a bit about them.

 

check the sticky at: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ere-first.html