I am looking into buying a 2003 F150 SuperCrew Fx4. It has about $115,000 mile on it.

Having never owned a Ford truck, I was wondering if some of the experts here on the forum could provide me with a few key things to check before purchasing the car. You know, those things that tend to go wrong with that generation F150 to ensure I am not buying a trouble vehicle.

Also: If I buy it, what are the first few key maintenance items I should do first. I am assuming the truck has a timing chain, not a belt, so that shouldn't need to be done, but are there a few easy maintenance items I can do to prevent issues?

 

Unless you have a way to check, these are items I would want to know.
Condition of the brakes, tires, exhaust, A/C -heating and controls, power windows/ locks, radio/player etc..
If you intend to tow, is there towing options such as an aux trans cooler, trailer electric etc.
Any pending engine control codes.
Beyond these you just take a chance unless the seller is offering a warrenty.
After all the truck is well out in the age/use range so you have trans wear, plugs may need changing, coils, coolant change etc.
A for timing, no belt. There are "two" long chains. They have oil operated hydraulic tensioners. Two chains because the motor is over head cam on each bank.
The rest is up to you for cosmetics and operation inside and out.
My overal position is I don't want to have to fix it right away unless the price is low enough to cover it (in your opinion).
Good luck.

 

115k isnt that bad for these trucks, i have 135k on my truck and still runs great. But i would change all the fluids. Rear differential fluid, transfercase fluid,front differential fluid, transmission fluid is a must cause odds are its never been done, brake fluid, power steering fluid. And definatly a set of plugs and it should be good to go.

 

Yea I'd do at least a complete tune-up and replace all fluids. Check the ball bearings and shocks as well

 

last year I picked up an '03 (in signature) w/ 114K on her. $8000.

So far all I've done is replace the fuel filter, and 1 bad coil/plug (I know I need to have them all done, will soon..)

I'm starting to hear a clunk in the front end at times when turning... so I'm guessing ball joints arent far from needing a work over.

That, and Other than the a/c not blowing real cold (think she just needs a charge) She's been a good truck so far.

 

mainfolds, gaskets, rocker panels, rear window seal (take it to the car wash to check) Shocks, 4x4 vacuum lines

just a few things off the top of my head

 

^ AH yeah... rear window seal. I had to do that too. Forgot that one lol

 

Check to see how the front tires are wearing and if it drives straight down the road. If you can jack up the front wheels to check for play. Looking for bad tie rods, ball joints, and wheel bearing. Not cheap to rebuild the frontends on these 4x4s.

Make sure you try out the 4x4. Put it into 4H and try to turn it on pavement. Should feel the truck fighting you and not wanting to turn sharp if the 4x4 works properly. Then put it into 4L and make sure it will engage and disengae without problems.

Smell the tranny fluid and check the color of it. Dark, thick, and burnt run away.

On the test drive take on a long enough drive to fully heatup the engine to check out cooling system. Run the A/C on high and verify it works, this will also tax the engine more and cause it to heatup faster. Assuming you're not in Alaska or Canada right now. In that case try out the heater.

Check the fluid levels in the engine bay and just look it over. If the simpliest thing have been ingnored and not fixed that will tell you a lot about the previous owners.

 

Thanks everyone. I am picking up my 03 tomorrow. A different one than originally posted but I am looking forward to joining the forum and being more involved.

 

Congrats!

Good Luck

 

Nice! Post up some pictures when you get it.