Got a 1998 f150 4.6 now with 134k on it.the truck its bout 12 years old , its running really good not any issues so far had it since 75k miles.During all this 6 years that i had it ,i have never changed or replaced anything on it not even the battery!!spark plugs and brakes that's it. But i know things will start to fail,at what mileage does things start to go bad on this trucks?
Would it be a good time to trade or sell before i start to put money in to it?

 

I judge by mileage, not years. These trucks should go 250K or better without severe problems.

 

I bought mine with 250k on it. Had to replace the motor due to severe (ab)use by the previous owner. The rest of the drivetrain is original, and its all still tight. The new (used) motor has 115k on it. I thoroughly expect to get many more miles out of it....

 

I think I am going to disagree with the others and I am not sure what you said. did your change plugs and brakes?

have you ever changed the air filter? if that was my truck I would do a tuneup. plugs, techron, clean tb ,iacv, pvc, fuel filter air filter. I also wold change the serp belt. I would do a coolant flush and change all the hoses. I also would change the tranny filter and fluid and check the rear diff fluid.

 

120k for me when it turned downhill.....

 

i bought mine at 125k, got 200k now.. New spark plugs at 130k, new ball joints at 150k, alternator at 150k, water pump at 190k, intake manifold gaskets at 190k, front wheel hubs/bearings at 190k....... changed all oils and filters (trans, fuel, axles) when i bought it at 125k. did it again at 200k.

 

had 205000 on mine when i traded it, original alt, waterpump, starter, tranny at 104000 due to heavy trailer pulling all winter, being 18 with new dual exhaust, other than that normal stuff breaks, plugs, ball joints never did a tie rod either they were all original. think its a big time luck of the draw with vehicles you could get a cherry unit and the one right beside it could be a lemon thats just my opinion. good luck to ya!

 

Excepting the manifold gaskets, that basically qualifies as periodic maintenance, and looks like what I've done on our two F150s. Wife's 1997 got a transmission at 175-ish (changed the instrument cluster around then). It has well over 250K now. My 2000 4.2 is fine at 154K only needing an alternator, rotors (they are cheap) and minor stuff so far.

To judge from doing many "make one out of two" jobs at my friends used car lot, I'd be comfortable keeping one of these trucks for twenty years or more (just like my older Fords). The economics are why I keep trucks, and any that don't make me smile get sold/crushed/parted out or made into trailers. Parts are reasonable since there are so many of them out there, salvage yards have plenty, and cheap ones are available private-party.

 

Besides normal wear items my truck doing ok but the brake system is starting to become a sore spot as its showing signs of getting worse. And thats about 163-164000 miles about half of that was from the truck previous life as a construction truck.

 

Maintenance has been done to truck,plugs tuneup,belt,trans fluid change all that stuff.What im talking about is replacing stuff like ball joints,alternator,blown head gaskets etc.

 

Ball joints and alternator are routine replacement items on any vehicle. Head gaskets are not.

I have seen very few head gasket problems on 4.6s that weren't beaten to death or overheated. I wouldn't be concerned about it.

 

My 1997 F-150 4.6 4X4 has 254,000 ACTUAL miles on all original components, you maintain and it will last simple as that any one who disagree's obviously owns a chevy

 

so you have not replaced anything other than brakes, plugs, fluids etc, You have not had to replace an exhaust, ball joints, alternator, starter, tranny?

 

How a truck stands up the test is relative to how it's used and where it's used. Proper routine maintenance is key to keeping them alive and well and to keep you from walking.

 

Yep thats correct besides the obvious, brakes, oil, coolant, diff fluid ect. it is stock, stock engine, tranny, transfer case, differentials