Hey guys I am thinking about buying a 2004 f150 stx 4wd 4.6 with 36xxx miles on it. Is there any kind of common problems that I need to look for with these vehicles when I test drive.

 

Well... possibly just the solenoid on the transfer case they have a tendency to get messed up... other than that they are pretty decent trucks.

 

theyre good trucks, just look for leaks because those are no fun to try to fix without warranty, other than that they are relatively bulletproof. Make sure it wasnt towed with very much or beaten on because that would make it much more prone to problems down the road

 

did 4.6 have ESOF? if not would it have a solenoid for the tcase?manual shift usually is reliable

 

i believe esof was an option on stx models. how much is this truck? supercab? 04's seem to be going for dirt cheap, personally i wouldnt settle for a stx when a xlt or fx4 can be had for a few hundred bucks more, just my 2 cents though.

 

Have you looked at the new ones? Ford is offering some really low prices on the new ones right now. It sucks for us as its driving down the value of our trucks, but if I were buying a truck I'd look at a few dealers and see what kind of a deal I could get on a new one before buying anything used.

Just my .02

 

Don't mean to burst your bubble but the 04 f150 had vibrations issues. The driveshaft, transmission & tires were all problem areas. But they should of been fixed under warranty by the original owner.

 

Brake Rotor Issues
E-Brake Sticking
Vibration with Wheels/rims
Driveshaft noises/vibrations
rear clutch pack failure

be sure to fully test drive it. make sure every single thing works one it. and as already mentioned, if it's been used for towing, keep walking. there is a reason people ditch tow vehicles
what solenoid? there is an electric shift motor down there