I have been thinking of getting a 2nd truck as my Tacoma has 317k on it,runs excellent still,but want to get spare/travel/towing truck.
After doing more research on the newer Fords( last one was '65),I found a immaculate 1 owner F-150 '05 w/117k Lariat fx for 10k,but am having real second thoughts on getting any with the problems w/plugs and the other things that seem to be real problems with these trucks.
I have heard they are great trucks and that they are a problem that will cost for years.
My ? is should I bother now after reading reviews about all the engine problems and such which seem to be just bad Ford design?
I was looking at 4.6 and v6 too,butnow they all seem to have problems.

Any suggestions,opines? I know this is Ford Truck site and for lovers but as a retired guy I can't see buying a problem.

Hank in NM looking for help......

 

A 5.4 3 valve is a crapshoot. The 4.2 V-6 and the 4.6 are both very reliable engines but the 04-08 body style is pretty heavy and they aren't that good for towing.

I'd look for a good 03 or earlier with a 5.4 2 valve, those run forever. Even a 4.6 is a fair towing motor in the old body style.

 

I see many views of my newby posts but no answers. Guess I'm good for a laugh..........
Saw a bunch of posts about 05's and problems besides plugs breaking.

I guess I should have kept my 65 250 w/550k on it years ago. I'm 60 and had 6 Ford trucks that were great.

I know I'm new on this site,but seriously is this some special club?
I'll look for answers from other Ford sites I guess.

 

Thanks GLC for advice.
I only tow a utility trailer now and then.

I have 2 Mech buddies looking for me here.

I'm retired and have all the time in the world,between elk hunts................

 

Most people are at work right now. You might give people some time to read your post before complaining about it. I personally don't own the year truck that you are inquiring about, but have heard about the Spark plug blow out issue. Though, I am the original owner of a 1999 F150 XLT Extended cab with a 4.6 V8 with over 266,000 miles and it still runs great! It also tows just fine.

 

Even a 4.2 in a 04-08 will pull a utility trailer, and you can find standard cab 2wd ones pretty cheap. If you want an extended or crew cab or 4wd the 4.6 was the base engine and will be fine for that, but a crew cab 4wd with a 4.6 is no speed demon.

The reason you weren't getting responses is you were hijacking old threads, which is poor forum etiquette. Note that you got my response in this thread 2 hours after you started it.

 

Thanks for repiles guys.
I'm aware that I jumped in on others ?'s, but have been chastized in past about starting new ?'s that are repeats of prior ones. Hard to find sometime in thousands of posts when your not PC savy.
I need 4x4 here were I live in NM and the roads are real bad. I'm not a speed demon,but need to escape every once in a while...even retired LEO's need to get out of the way sometimes.
I'm looking at older(00-03) models and 6's. I'd rather find a ext. cab than a 4dr too. Bed that can carry an elk/camp/hay is more important than the passengers I don't carry.
Thank you for replies and advice....................Hank

 

If you need 4x4, I'd recommend a 01-03 with a 4.6 or 5.4. A 04+ 4.6 in standard or extended cab 4x4 would be okay but not particularly powerful.

Yes, those engines do have a spark plug blowout issue, but if you use Motorcraft plugs and torque them to 28 ft/lb with NO antiseize, this is a nonissue. The 04-08 5.4 has 2 piece plugs that stick and break when you try to remove them, in addition to the VCT issues.

 

If the truck checks out mechanically go for it!

 

It's not, but the OD OFF button solves some of that. Problem with the 4.6 trucks is that the 2WD have 3.55 gears (I presume 3.73 in the 4x4s) and that's just too darn steep for an engine that doesn't really start to kick until nearly 3000 RPMs. At 70, my Screw is turning ~2000 RPMs. You bet that OD OFF button helps if I need to pass.

4.10s would have been great and probably cost an unnoticeable amount of MPGs just from less 4-2 downshifting just to get scooting.

I wouldn't turn away a Heritage era truck, either. Any engine.

 

Thanks folks. Been having internet troubles...fixed maybe.

I'm looking at a 2003 F150 screw now,4x4, 4.6 v8,104k, very clean.
Being checked out now and has car fax. $10k
Going to check the Ford history site I saw on here too now.

Just missed a similar FX,sold the day before for $12k, 1 owner,175kmi .

Getting close. Again thanks for info and this site has so much info its unbelievable.
Will be my source of info for a Ford for sure,2 mechs I talked to had never heard of it...
they obviously don't researce much online.

 

10k is definitely in the ballpark if it's clean.

 

Damn dealers,saleskid just e-mailed me it sold this morn,after telling me it was being held and checked out.....usual. Guess I have to go 150 mi and walk lots like old days.

It's about the 4th one similar in last 3 weeks,their out there.
Local mech said the plug deal was no biggy on the 04-08....course he drives an F350 diesel.

Thanks GLC

 

The 04-08 3 valve plug deal isn't a big deal if you have a Lisle extraction tool, but the VCT, cam chain tensioners, and oiling systems can be a headache.