Stick around, someone will chime in with good information for you. By the way, what engine, transmission, and 4x4 system do you have? 
What to look for when buying a 97 f150 4x4?
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What to look for when buying a 97 f150 4x4?
I'm looking to purchase 97 f150 4x4 with 90,000 miles. What questions should I ask with respect to issues/problems with that particular model/year/4x4 package?
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The early builds had more recalls, obviously and the very earliest have a different headlight header panel making it near impossible to put any other kind of headlight in it. If it is built in mid '96 it is an early year. I personally like the ones built in '97, most the recalls were before then so those issues were covered already. Some things that happen are the windshield leaking and the GEM getting ruined, I think as long as the windshield was replaced it should have a good seal though. Rear windows also have a tendency to leak. Is it a 5.4L or 4.6L?
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Thanks for the help. I don't know if it's a 5.4 or 4.6...
In reference to mechanical wear-and-tear, it has 90k miles, what parts should I be asking have recently been replaced, ie. ball joints, control arms, head gaskets?
In reference to mechanical wear-and-tear, it has 90k miles, what parts should I be asking have recently been replaced, ie. ball joints, control arms, head gaskets?
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From: SE Wyoming
Yeah some guys in rust areas have bad tailgate and door rust at the seams. I've never heard of problems with early 5.4L's I have over 200K on mine and nothing has gone wrong. Some people have ball joints fail by 90K, I still have stock ones, it seems to be a toss up whether they go bad that quick or not. I also still have the stock tie rods and still have the factory alignment. @ 90K it definitely needs to be on its second set of spark plugs and new COP boots if it is a 5.4L.
The only things I have had to replace are U joints at about 160K (mainly because of running 33" tires) Alternator at 180K, Rear axle seals were replaced around 160K as well because of the larger tires. I just replaced my stock rotors because they were warped at 210K, again 33" tires didn't help. Also had my first COP go bad at 190K.
All in all I have many more thousands in maintenance then in repairs.
The only things I have had to replace are U joints at about 160K (mainly because of running 33" tires) Alternator at 180K, Rear axle seals were replaced around 160K as well because of the larger tires. I just replaced my stock rotors because they were warped at 210K, again 33" tires didn't help. Also had my first COP go bad at 190K.
All in all I have many more thousands in maintenance then in repairs.
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Every 5.4L until '03 can have that problem, actually any modular until '03, they all had 4 thread heads as opposed to the 8 thread heads Ford went to in '03. Keep them changed every 60K and torque them properly and you should be good to go.
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memphis_made
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Dec 10, 2011 01:36 PM