new guy here looking to get as much info as i can on an 04-08 f-150. i will be buying the fx4 ext or crew if that makes a difference.

which is the best yr and what issues are common with any/all of them?
i hear alot about injectors going out. what can be done to prevent that?
is it getting better over the yrs?
what yr get the best mpg?
how well is the 4x4 drivetrain?
besides being built ford tough and mean looking what other advantages do they have with them?

any added info is greatly appreciated. thanks.

 

Obviously, if you can afford it, the 2008 would be best. Thr breaking sparkplug issue was fixed in earlu 08 modlels. No issues that I know of.

The 2004 was the first on the new style, so had some minor problems but those with them seem to love them.

The 2005s had the possible sticking injector issue and there is an extended warranty for that.

The 2004-2007 has the breaking spark plug problem, but with the TSB, available tools, etc., that is not as scary as it was originally.

I have a 2005 and love it. Had intended to get a 2009, but when I saw them, decided to stay with my 2005. I have 100,500 miles on her now and she is running great.

It just depends on what you find and it's condition for the price. I would not hesitate to buy any of them that has been well cared for and has the things I wanted on it.

 

i've got an 04 ext cab word of advise if you have kids get crewcab and the sparkplugs can be nogotiated if bought from dealer.

 

I have an 08. no issues yet. but of course i would hope not seeing as how its only 2 years old lol

 

is there another spark plug i can buy to replace the OEM ones?
what is a TSB?

kids, yesi have 3 of them and this will only be a weekend warrior. i got a company truck already and the wife has one she uses all week. i just want a lil more horses to tow my 4 wheeler, trailer, and boat around with good looks and 4x4. i have always been a ford man. i plan on keeping it that way.

 

Some have used the one piece Champion with mixed results. Personally, I went back with the OEMs. The problem is not that big an issue to me. Mine came out fine the first go round at 65,500 and I expect to get 90,000 out of the second set. TSB is Technicle Service Bulletin that tells dealers how to service them.

 

o alright thanks for the info.

 

how are the ball joints holding up? are they the same design as the explorers? mine (99) squeak from the teflon coating wearing off of them and its rubbing metal to metal. drilled and tapped some grease zerks in to to lessen the friction. how well are the designs on the 4x4 models?

 

It's a half ton with independent front suspension.

Not too many large problems from what I have seen. Factory ball joints are not greasable, but not overly expensive to replace.

My opinion is 07 up crew with the 6.5 bed and 35 gallon tank!

I say 07 because they have the aux input on the factory stereo which I think is awesome. Everything else is what I bought mine in 06 with.

I don't like the center console shift but I do wish I would have bought a lariat because the cloth seats suck. If you don't get an FX4, make sure you get the limited slip rear especially with a boat.

When you get home from buying one, order your tuner. It will be a night and day difference in the throttle response department.

 

my 04 ball joints had to be replaced around 40k.

 

you're gonna need lockers if you want to do some serious off roading. I've been stuck a couple times.

 

Is that 40k with the leveling kit or part of that time with the leveling kit?

 

Right when I put my level kit on I had to get an alignment. When i was getting my alignment the suspension guys showed me I had to get balljoints before I did the alignment so I'm guessing it was bad before I got my leveling kit.

 

I am now at 80k (I did 41k of it). Most have been leveled and tuned. With an '04 I have not had a tons of problems (knock on wood). I had to replace the IWE solenoid ($17), also 1 front brake caliper that seemed to lock out while replacing front pads.

So far the usual, oil changes, air filter, fuel filter, and it not let me down. I see no need to worry about buying any '04-'08 truck.

As said before, the '04 sometimes have window regulator issues (none here), '05 had the injector issue but the warranty was extended, '06 seemed to have a bad batch of decals and the ford logo looks to peel (minor, only cosmetic), '07 got the AUX input on top of the dash (not a huge issue, the aux input add-on for the standard radio is like $65 on ebay), and some '08s got the revised heads for less carbon buildup on the plugs.

I got my plugs changed with 42k miles on them, knowing that it could be an issue if I left it and followed the TSB. All 8 plugs came out screeching, but none broke.

 

I wouldn't worry about a particular year model. I would base my purchase on the condition of the vehicle you find and the price.