Greetings to all from the First State, Delaware!

I am a newb in the market for a 4x4 and want an extended cab in the model years 1998 thru 2003.

I want a V8..although doesn't really matter if the 5.4L or the 4.6L. I want it to be an extended cab, and I want it to be an XLT or Lariat for the bells & whistles.

Basically, I am looking for a WINTER vehicle to drive in the snow. I won't be doing any plowing or anything like that. I might be pulling neighbors out of snowbanks, hauling mulch, making trips to the dump, etc. Basically a weekend truck.

I'm looking for a thread on here that might have all the technical specs/details/etc from the model years of 1998 thru 2003? (I looked at a 1998 xlt and was surprised it had DRUM brakes in the rear?) Are there any words of wisdom to live by, like do NOT buy a year xxxx!, or absolutely ****** up a model year xxxx, etc, etc??

I am new to the 4x4 world, and am not afraid to get my hands dirty to do some light/medium maintenance & repair work on her. Oh..and I don't want to pay more than about $6,000. I'd like her to have 150k miles or less. Color isn't really important. I am near Philadelphia if someone, by chance, has something that MIGHT fit what I'm looking for.

In the meantime, I am on the HUNT! I'd love to have my 4x4 before the winter. I don't NEED a 4x4, rather, I WANT one.

Thanks in advance for suggestions!

 

My 99 XLT is 4wheel disc.. look around the 97-03 trucks are a good value right now. Find them and bring em back to this thread. Youll get opinions..

 

1997, 98, had NPI heads around 25 hp less. all are essentially the same truck minus the minor physical differences like 97-98 front ends, 97-98 3 doors as opposed to the 99-03 4 door. 99-03 had rear disk brakes, 97-98 drums. 5.4 is bigger therefore more power. 4.6 smaller therefore less power. (i like mine being a NPI motor) just look for the typical things youd look for on other used vehicles. others will chime in. Good luck!

 

Welcome Delawarean I love my '02 SCab! I think you'll be hard pressed to find one under $6k but I know there are a few on the lots on Rt 4 in Stanton.

Be aware of the spark plug blow-out issue. If you find one, I would recommend changing the plugs and torquing to 28ft lbs (?) as recommended on here. Also check to see if the fuel strap recall replacements have been done yet. Get the 5.4 if ya can.

Good Luck with your search and welcome to F150online

David

 

I would look for at least a 1999. 4 doors instead of 3, disc brakes, PI (power improved) heads, freshened styling, etc. Not much difference from 1999-2003 except the seats changed in 2001 I think.

The Off-Road package will have skid plates and 3.55 gears. FX4's will have skid plates and 3.73 gears. I prefer the FX4 because you can run 33" tires without wishing for a lower axle ratio. Since it won't be a daily driver, get the 5.4. more usable power and only 1-2mpg penalty. Good luck!

 

FX4's have 3.55 gears, Howie. At least mine does (axle code H9)

 

A lot of the fx4 ones around up here in the north were 3.73's

 

To the OP......look for a 02-03 with the 5.4...

 

My 02 FX4 is 3.73 LS, I highly recommend the 02-03's Ford really had all the kinks of the new body style worked out by then. Get a 5.4 if you can, you'll pay a little more, but the power over the 4.6 is noticable with unnoticable fuel economy drop.

 

I was sure all FX4's had 3.73. Thanks for correcting me

I'm looking at the window sticker from my 2003 and it says the 3.73 limited slip is part of the FX4 package. I assumed it was all FX4's.

3.73 might be a supercrew thing. OP wants a supercab so just ignore my advice on the fx4/3.73.

 

The newer the year, the progressively better it got. An 03 is the best of all.

Nothing wrong with a 4.6 unless you are going to be towing heavy, and you may have better luck finding a 4.6 in your price range. My son in law has a 98 4.6 non-PI 4x4 Lariat extended cab, and the performance is adequate. No matter which engine you get, the gas mileage is nothing to write home about.

 

yes i can attest to the NPI 4.6 being powerful enough. and the fuel economy sucks! i get 11 on average. it needs plugs.

 

My son in law is getting about 12, but he's had a P0401 for about a year or so - we think the EGR passages are plugged. Before the CEL popped on he was getting about 15.

He isn't driving it much at all now since they got a new Kia Sorento - he's using their old minivan to commute with, it's getting about 21. My grandson gets his license in October and he's going to be taking the truck over - including the maintenance!

 

oh there is nothing wrong with that! but then and again EGR isnt cheap, and its a 14 year old truck. he'll have fun, but he will be in the same boat as me!

 

Don't forget the 'oh sh*t' handles changed late in '02 to the MUCH more improved style where you don't bash your knuckles into the 'A' pillar trim anymore, 2003 the headliner changed (there is extra padding between the roof and headliner on the sides where you can't see), and in 03 they changed the glove box latch to the middle (yuck)

I'm sorry OP, was just throwing some useless info out there I have to agree with these guys, the 99-03 are the best ones.