This will not be the first time I have said this, but -
A 1997 - VERY dependable work truck, XL Reg Cab (cloth bench seats and rubber floors - PERFECT for what I do for a living), 8' bed, 4.6, auto., 3.55 (NON LS) rear end. I have replaced the heater core, A/C compressor, and timing chain (did water pump while I was in there although it was working fine), and normal fluids, hoses, belts, bulbs, brakes and tires, that sort of thing.
I check alignment regularly, this has not needed much, if any alignment in maybe two years. We got under there with cheater bars and all, checking the original ball joints, shocks, and suspension parts, which are all just fine. Major engine work or transmission (anything other than normal transmission servicing and flushing (I flush block and trans every so often)) work has never been needed, so never been done.
I tow regularly, anything from a small 5' x 8' utility trailer up to a tandem axle 6' x 12' that weighs almost 5k lbs. when fully loaded. THAT causes me to be amazed whenever I see the odometer, which now reads 201,000 miles. I interpret that to be the equivalent of at least another 100,000 miles of stress and wear on the truck parts.
I wish that everyone else could have a truck that has been as dependable for them as this little truck has been to me.
I KNOW that the motor (at least $4K) and tranny (at least $2K) are in their last days (maybe even on borrowed time), so I am looking at putting that $6K with whatever this sells for to go towards another truck. It will SURELY be another F150.
I will miss this truck when I do have to let it go. The most dependable truck I have EVER owned!
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Last edited by Patrick@hmsga; 05-27-2006 at 05:00 PM.
I pretty much did the same on my old truck it was 4k shy of 100k when the trany acted up so i drove the old truck for a week with the tranny acting up trying to decide what to do so I chose to get a new truck since i knew it would cost 2k for a tranny and you never know what might be next to go wrong so I took the 2k I would have paid for a tranny and the trade vaule for my old truck onto my new truck which now has a little over 6k on it now.
I have 90K on my '97 F150 and my old man has about 180K on is '89 F150. You cannot beat the Ford truck. A toyota may run with less maintenance, but try pulling a boat or some firewood with it, and you will never regret having the Ford.
That 4.9 is indestructable, all except for the Oil pan...
I've got a 1997 4.2l F-150 that never hydrolocked, close, but no cigar. I've curently got about 98k miles on it, and will be hitting the 100k mile club this june. I'll try and reply back when i hit it, but i'm sure it won't be too long.
New member here.
Bought a 1993 F-150 w/inline 6.
Had 252300 when I got it, Has a Jasper rebuilt with @ 154,000 on it.
Old company truck from a friend who worked there and knew the truck, sometimes driving it.
Does this count?
Hello everyone I just got me a 97 F150 xl with 189k miles on it. it runs really good even starts fast with a remote switch...I just found this site and I'm getting really worried that Im going to need a motor here soon its a 5.4 and I was told that it was well maintained, and it should go much more. I have been reading that around this point a replacement will be needed.. can someone tell me if this is true even if the truck has been well taken care of...?????http://f150online.com/forums/images/smilies/redface.gif
I have a 2000 Lariat 5.4L with 164,000 miles. I have maintained my truck very well, and have no intention of having to replace a motor in 20,000 miles. Just keep an eye on all systems and have any problems addressed immediately.
You will see several posts on this forum of guys with a lot more mileage than you have on a truck and it still runs fine. Maintainence is the key.
By the way, welcome to the forum. Great information for about any problem you experience.
Thanks for that I just finished going throught the rest of this thread and Man I'm rolling like a pig in mud.!!!! I will be getting a pic and some info on here..it has flowmasters...and it sounds owesome.. I loved the truck the moment I heard it.. can someone tell me around was mpg will I be looking at here.. I still haven't gotten that far with it yet. I got it from a family member...Im looking for a long relationship with this truck...Thanks a bunch....
On my 5.4L, I average 17.6 mpg. When I pull my boat I drop down to 16.5.
I have 4WD as well, so that may or may not be a factor for you.
I have 40 series standard Flowmasters on mine. The standard is the most aggressive sounding in the 40 series, but not obnoxious. The duals add a lot to the sound. Good rumble. Read on and you will find soooo much information out here. Enjoy that truck. I am on my second F150. I have really enjoyed my time driving these trucks.
I had my plugs changed at 115,000. I went to the dealer and had that done, so whatever plugs Ford uses/recommends is what I have. Oil is a different story. I have always used Valvoline 10-30. However, I am in the process of ordering Amsoil synthetic and will be using synthetic from now on. I have a buddy who swears by Amsoil and has convinced me that I should change. I put about 36,600 on my truck every year. So I am looking for the best protection possible, especially with the increased mileage. My goal is over 300,000 on this truck before I sell it. I believe it will do it.
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Premature worries....:-)
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