I've been thinking of getting a new(er) truck and have been thinking about a 97-03. If I do get one it'll be a 5.4 4 door and at least an XLT. My question is what do you guys like and dislike about your trucks? The plug problem was solved in 01 wasn't it? That's also when they went with different heads right?

Also, have you guys had any major problems or has it just been regular maintenance things?

Thanks!

 

Love em.. the plug problem really wasnt remedied till 03 which brought about the 8 thread heads... atleast thats how it is for Lightnings.. everything b4 that had 4 thread heads..

 

What was the remedy to stop the blow out?

 

I am the owner of an 02 5.4 supercrew, FX4 and I love it. The pros are that the back seat is huge, I'm 6'5" and I have ridden back there for extend periods very comfortably. 5.4s have plenty of power, the limited slip diffs are very capable in the snow and in times of less traction. All in all, the F-150 is a great truck! Some nagatives are that the Screws don't come with manuals, and there is no manual 4x4 shift option, so your only option is SOTF dash style. Its a nice feature, but I would rather have the strength of manual locking hubs (If you can't tell I'm a little old school). Be careful when you pick it out, some from that time period had paint defects where the clear coat was applied to thick and ended up cracking leaving tiny little scratch looking things all over your truck. The spark plug issue was pretty much solved for 03. But wasn't as wide spread as some believe (I've had an 97 and 02, as well as known of plenty more from the time period that never had a problem).

Good luck in your search, be sure to give us a look at what your buying (or bought!)

 

Thanks FX41! I'm looking for something pretty much the same as your truck. I've looked at a few Lariats and REALLY like them. Just the ones I've found and liked are priced high (at least I think so.) I found a few 02's that are 12-14k then I'd see a NBS 04 pretty much the same thing only xlt and it's 14k too.

 

The biggest difference between the 96 and older and the 97 and up is the wind noise. On the interstate my 94 swb 4x4 had so much wind noise. The 2000 XLT Scab 4x4 I bought new was as quiet as a car and so is my current 2002.
My 94 has 302 V8. The 5.4 engine is much more powerful and has much more torque and gets better fuel mileage.

 

Yeah these trucks hold their value pretty well. Mine has about 125k on it and is still worth a little over 10K. Leather is nice on the Lariats, but I feel that the cloth of the XLTs wear better. Just my opinion. I would choose an 02 or 03 over an 04 any day of the week. I would just rather have the perfected older truck then the newer 1st generation truck. 97-03s have the spark plug blow out issue, but the 04-06ish's had sparg plug breakage issues that were just as bad if not worse, there are plenty of threads on here about both.

Anther negative that I forgot about in my first reply is that in the older trucks the 5.5ft bed is practicaly worthless. But on the other hand, there is a huge amount of room in the cab if you lay the seats down. So if you need to move couches its a pain, but if your moving boxes and stuff, its just fine.

 

you still have a cable that opens your throttle

2003 is by far the best year F150 available (I might be slightly biased tho)

 

One would be hard pressed to dissagree. (the 09s are very capable though).

 

I don't have a supercrew but i own a 97 rc LB and had a flareside 98 rc. Both good trucks. Neither of them had the spark plug issue either. I agree with FX41, these trucks are very roomy and is the best ive owned, I'm 6'7" and i have plenty of room in the regular cabs! Your smart in looking to buy a 5.4 b/c my 98 was but my 97 is a 4six and their is no comparing the two motors. I'm rough as hell on both and basically just maintainence. Good Luck!

 

I really like my 03. I have it 7 yrs now and 0 issues.

 

I just wish I could go out tomorrow and get one cause I've found a bunch I like. Somethin about people wantin money for them though.

I don't really care about the bed length because I really and truly prolly wouldn't put anything big inside the bed. I plan on getting a A.R.E. tonneau for it. I got a trailer I use now because I don't use the bed. I've never ridden or driven in a 5.4 with the PI heads but one of my buddies has a 97 with the 5.4 and it runs pretty good. When we go quad ridin we'll use his truck once then my truck and I've always been impressed with how well his truck does pullin 4 quads and a 24' trailer.

I'm with ya on not wanting the first generation FX41. My dad went and got an 04 right after they came out and he had quite a few problems with it and ended up tradin it in for his 07.

I agree with ya Patman. I don't quite trust the sensors that adjusts my speed, I'd rather have a cable!

 

you torque them properly

 

I have had my 2001 for a year now, and it has been fantastic. I went from a ranger to a Screw and talk about an Upgrade......just be patient when your buying though, I shopped for a year or so before I found a good one at a reasonable price.

 

love my 99 F150. well whats left of the original truck.