Hey everyone. I drove my 2000 F150 5.4l off the lot new with 27 miles in Oct 2000, and had my first "major" problem last week when it blew a plug at 187k. The plug miraculously didn't strip the threads and after a new COP and tune up I was back on the road. It did get me think though, when I bought the truck I expected at least 200k out of it, but now I'm hoping for at least 250k out of the motor because I'd rather put money towards paying my house off than a newer truck.

I know that it could blow up tomorrow morning when I start it, but is there any stats on the average amount of miles people are getting out of engines from this era of F150s? I've been running Mobil 1 oil and filters since 80k, and it burns about a quart of oi every 3k.

Overall, I can't complain about my truck at all. The only unexpected maintenance on my truck before than the plug blowout has been both power door lock actuators, which cost me $87 and an hour of my time to change out.

 

I am curious, what maintenance have you done man? If you haven't done some of the big stuff recently, maybe look into doing it so you can make sure the truck is running the best it can

 

i have a 99 5.4 with almost 211 and i still drive it all the time. those miles are not all highway either a lot of work, hauling and off roading/mud so its probally equal of over 250 normal daily driving. mine has its share of problems but still starts and drives every day and long distance no problem.

 

The only things I can think it's due for is a coolant change and a transmission oil/filter swap. They are on the to do list during the winter, since that's the time when the blast furnace cools off here in Houston.

Good to hear! I drove mine almost 2000 miles round trip last month in 5 days(entirely in the state of Texas!) and thinking about a ~3k round trip in a few months. My mileage is probably a 60/40 mix of highway/city mileage. It's a 2wd, so no offroading, but I feel the same way, I go out, start it every morning and it gets me where I need to go. My old truck before my F150 was a 1989 Ford Ranger which I sold with 196k on the clock.

 

One of my freinds is a manager for a tire testing facilty and has several 5.4 f150's with a crap load of miles. One is a 97 f150 5.4 with 475,000 miles all original except starter and radiatator, plugs wires. Then he has a 00 5.4 with 395,000 all original except starter, radiator,plugs. The other truck is a 03 with 340,000 miles and only thing that has been changed is plugs and cops.

He said out of all the cars and trucks the f150's have had the least maintance and are still super reliable.

These vehicles are drove 800 miles a day 6 days a week. He has a 92 crown vic with 1.1 million miles on it original engine and tranny.

He has never had issues with the blown plugs or anything.

You shouldnt have any issues hitting 250k.

 

There are many people on here with well over 200k and still running strong. The thing about the blown plug, it can happen to anyone. Some go the life of the truck without any blowing out (you made it 185k) some blow out at under 50k. If you have your plugs changed next time, or decide to attempt it yourself, no anti-seize on the thread and torqued to 28ft/lb should guarantee they don't come out. In the meantime. service the fluids, trans, rear diff and coolant. Typical inspections never hurt. Checking for dry rotted hoses or wires, front end, trans mount etc.

 

So accoriding to this philosophy my 02 screw w/ 164xxx on the clock w/ all its maintince done sould last damn near forever!

 

Glad to hear many reports of well above 200k! I know the plug blowing is just one of those things that can happen. I ended up taking it to the dealer since it was only 4 miles away when the plug blew and got raked over coals for $500. I got them to change the plugs and the COP. I don't have a torque wrench, and last time I changed the plugs I used anti-seize and just hand tightened them, and it lasted around 70k before one came loose. I'm just happy it didn't happen when I was out in West Texas last month and 200 miles away from a town with an auto parts store.

300k or more would be really nice, I'd love to not have a payment for the next few years and get my house paid off before having to get another truck!

 

That's about when their broke in. - @ 250k

 

01 ford supercrew 5.4.... Replaced motor @ 246k when plug blew and repair didnt work.... Other than the miss from compression leak that motor was rock solid still.

 

I'm only at 217,000 miles.. Still going strong and tows the TT in my sig about 6-7 times a year from May to Sept throughout the state.

I've already decided that if anything major happens, I'll rebuild or get a new one, be it the engine or the trans.. The rest of the truck is still in great shape, so 5 or 6 grand is cheaper then a newer 'used' truck and having no payments for the last 5 years has been nice! (bought it used in 2001).

Mitch

 

I have almost 380,000 miles on my '99 F150 5.4 and had a plug blow out at about 300,000. The same plug blew out again and it would not be repaired again so I changed out the head myself. Besides replacing the original starter, everything else is original. Truck is still running great so I'm aiming for the 500,000 mile club. I take good care of my truck though, regular maintenance.

Good luck my friend.

 

I'm curious too, my 99 f150 5.4 is at 129500 miles and I worry about the 4r70w. My buddy went through 3 transmissions before 197000 miles, I sort of understand why in his case because most people know you have to fully stop when going from reverse to drive. But when I had my 00 F150 HD, my trans went out at 82000 miles. I was the 2nd owner (bought truck at 38000 miles) and serviced the transmission twice. The first time was due to the 1-2 shift spring broke, the second service was just for maintenance. But I'm seeing you guys saying you have over 250k with original transmissions - what am I missing?

 

My body has 132,000 on it but the motor has 255,000 had to do a rush motor swap this summer and I found this motor and tranny 300.00 from a wrecked 250. It had 209,000 on it when I got it....and I will tell u I run the **** out of this thing daily....she gets regularly maintained....but Im running a livewire on it with maggie duals I dont cut this thing any breaks....if Im not pushing her hard than she has a trailer behind her. Trust me these motors are tough!!! The only problem ive had was when I put the motor in I used the felpro red intake gaskets instead of the blue ones....so a couple weeks ago had to change that...but so far so good....hoping to hit 300k +

 

227,000 on my 1997 4.6 - I have been OK with oil changes, but it's only on the second batch of tranny fluid. Only non-wear items have been a starter and a alternator.