We are looking at a F150 for a second vehicle, I love the 04 to 08 bodystyle but they are out of my price range. Are there any known problems with the 97-03 bodystyle's that I should look for?

 

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Screws started in 01, so that makes your decision easier.

If you want the lower price, you'll have to go with the 01's.
Also if you search the forum you can find common problems such as plug blow outs, weak front suspension, diff problems, odometer not working, squeaks, etc...

 

The 03's were the most reliable.

Mawk, why are you assuming the OP wants a Screw and directing the OP to another site?

 

I would recommend the newest you can afford. There are a lot of little changes that happen from year to year and the '03's have the best of them. You mught even get lucky and get full threaded heads...

 

Sorry, I was surfing multiple forums, including the screw section, and for some reason thought this was this was in the screw section. Link deleted as well...

Good luck with the search!

 

Also, if you are contemplating a V-6, stay away from the 97's and 98's. The 99's and later are essentially bulletproof.

 

All 2003 and the second half of the 2002s have the 8 thread heads.

My recommendation is 2003's Ive had two different 03s now

 

Personaly, I'd stick with anything with a COP setup. If you do any off-roadin'/towing consider a shift kit.

 

ya, i have a first 1/2 2002 so i do have a torque converter drain plug though.

how can you tell if you have the threaded heads?

 

The cabs leak in water on the 97's, but other than that my 97' w/ 208,300 is pretty dang tough and reliable.

 

I love my 2000... no problems.

However, I'd love to have an '02 or '03. They have little improvements that make a big difference.

By the way, Ford Truckin, sweet truck.

 

im not sure if there is a vin break or production date break, but you can always just pop a spark plug out and count how many times you have to turn it before it comes out.

 

I believe Gotts found som '03 heads that still didn't have the full threaded heads. So I don't know the criteria, But I'm sure only some '03's and all '04's had the update.

 

http://www.modularfords.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=68110 is a copy of fords TSB on this issue, claims 1997-2003 F-Series

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/65...from-ford.html claims 2003 are fixed, with a few 2003 owners complaining of the problem