I have seen several threads regarding purchasing a 2003 and older F150 vs the 2004 and newer.

I was hoping for some advice as I'm considering 2 trucks with similar specs and can't choose which to buy...

One is a 2003 SCrew FX4 with 58k and the other is a 04 SCrew with 91k. I'm concerned about the spark plugs and cam phaser issues in the 04 and newer. I've had both models in the past and always liked the 03 body style.

Am I making a mistake or missing something in going with the 03 mechnically speaking?

Thanks in advance!

 

Spark plug blowout issue?

 

03's were/are rock solid trucks.. i wouldnt hesitate to buy an 03

personally id buy a f150 from 99-03 and a 06 and newer.. something about an 04 05 just doesnt sit well with me.. mostly because they all have super high miles and people are still asking for damn near 20k..

 

So I guess your going with the 5four. Unless your talking 4.6L 3V's ? Knowing which engine for sure would help.

The 03 5fours have upgraded heads, - no plug problems. The BEST OEM heads that were produced for that engine, IMO. BUT! You have to check production dates on the 03's. The updates were done mid-year.

I'd purchase the 03 for mechanical /reliability reasons. Also, finding one w/that mileage isn't easy.

 

Right on, I'm picking it up tomorrow. It is the 5.4 and has a production date of 6/23/03, hope it has the updated heads. I had an 05 that had the broken plug issue and a noisy valve train, otherwise it was a great rig. I also had an 02 that never had a problem.

 

i would never buy an 04 5.4 so Id go with the '03. and i dont think the spark blug blow out issue is even that big of a deal. its not all that common

 

Yeah I'd definitely go with the '03. With the '04 being a first-year-production truck, it was more prone to have problems than the '03, which was in its sixth year of production, when they had the vast majority of the kinks worked out. Also, that 99-03 body style just seem to age really well IMO. But then again, I'm biased

 

Can't add pics, or will figure out how to. Anyway, picked the 03 up and all is well. Have some work to do tomorrow changing all fluids and filters, maybe the belt.

 

 

I read on here that not all 03's had updated heads. I think Gotts said he had taken a look and had trouble finding 03 motors with the newer heads?

 

Beautiful truck btw

 

the newest 2v 5.4 I can find. The motor was assembled on April 1st 2003 and it never had the updated heads still. I looked at 15+ different 5.4's, none of which had the updated heads.

 

Never mind. Gotts covered it.

 

Thanks much, so far so good. I've got a whining noise at 50 mph... I've read on here about the rear end. I changed the fluid and still have it so I'll move on to the Trans/Transfer case this week. Other than that it runs great, fingers crossed I don't run into any issues troubleshooting the whine, but will do what it takes to make it right.

 

Great looking truck, it certainly looks like it only has 58k miles on the ticker. I wish I had found a truck with miles that low, mine had 148,000 when I bought it, I still love it just the same.

As far as the whine, mine was absolutely quiet until I found that the pinion seal was leaking and "trusted" the dealer to replace it. Well lo and behold, just after then did the work it started whining from about 42-50mph. I have taken it back twice and had their "Rear end expert" look at it and he said that it is whining because the gears are not set at the exact same spot as before the seal was replaced, and unless they spend quite a few hours working at it they will never be able to get it in the exact same spot again. He said the only solution is a new gear set. To beat all I was under my truck the o0ther day and take a guess what I saw? Yep, the pinion seal is still leaking. Gotta take it back again next week.

Step down off of my soap box now.

Again great looking truck, it looks like it has a few tasteful mods. What are your plans for future mods?