In 2007, my family was looking for a truck for my middle son. By luck, we found a one guy owner of this 1997 F150. It had been garaged and well kept with receipts. At the time, the guy wanted $5700. He was a retired CPA and found a quick kin ship with my family and gave it up for $5,000. We dishonored the truck by smashing the front end. Now, my F150 is looking good with my new front end. Unfortunately, my new $400 dollar truck looks so good, my 16 year old daughter has set her eyes on it. (because of her grades, she is not likely driving till 17) That means, i have ten months to fix everything that might be wrong. My son did not keep good records. Let's start a list of all things you have replaced and things i should check. it seems to have a number of recalls. Also, what is the best repair manual i should buy (recalling a time when i could pull, repair and reinstall an engine on a Chrysler slant six---if you have kids, know what a slant six is, then you know how old i am.).

Brakes?
Front end? It squeaks like hell?
Steering?
Any recalls?
It has 135000 miles. I check the first owner records and no receipts of ball joints etc. He was meticulous.
As you know from past posts, it has a new engine.

It is a great truck for me, but it has to be in tip top running condition for her.

You have been great in your help in the past. Frankly, i thought the internet was filled with weirdos, till now. This is a very cool community. Any help?

 

Best repair manual is the factory service manual hands down. (although sometimes that's wanting).

If you know a reputable mechanic, or if you're subject to the state inspection drill, they'll probably find most of what's wrong.

The safest that vehicle would be is if you installed a cell phone jammer.

(first car was a slant six dart)

 

Ball joints, tie rod ends, steering system and suspension are probably most neglected on these trucks. If it is banging around, squeaking and farting on every turn and bump, that is where I would start especially if it has been wrecked. These trucks drive amazingly smooth and handle very well with a good front end.

 

Please, if you work on the front end, don't do like i did and use the limited life time warranty store brand parts. spend the extra money now and by all moog parts. they are MUCH better quality and will last MUCH longer without needing replaced. Yes the store brand may have a lifetime warranty, but do you really want to replace the front end two or three times compared to once with moog parts? Also, you should have the breaks flushed and maybe all new rubber lines if not the steel ones too. drain and refill the diferentials (and transfercase if applicable). The emergency break cables will mostlikely need replaced as well as they are probably seized up. Oh and if it hasn't been done in a while have the coolant flushed. Also maybe look into doing the plugs and wires if there isnt a record for them. NO antisiez and torque to 28ft lbs if i remember correctly. that should cover the basics to ensure reliability for your daughter. Honestly you could probably ignore every single thing on this list for two or three years and you wouldn't even know the difference. I absolutely am not kind to my 97 and she just keeps on going.

as to recalls... take it to the local ford dealer and have them run the vin, everything that hasn't been taken care of already should show up. the big ones to look out for are the cruis control recall (possible engine bay fires) and the newest one the fuel tank straps for those of us in the north. there are others i believe, but none have seemed as important to me as these two.

 

check the sway bar end links when you look at the front end components