I have a 1997 F150 Extended Cab Lariat that will be requiring some work in the near future. I have an opportunity to purchase a 2008 F150 Lariat Crew Cab. It is at a dealership but I know who owned the truck and he took pretty good care of the 89,000 miles that is on the truck. He is a Real Estate Agent & an Auctioneer and most of the miles were highway. The sticker price on this truck is $22,000. It is that Pearl White Color with Tan Leather-6 CD Changer-Block Heater-5 1/2 ft. Box-new tires

To the experts on this Forum, I am asking if there are any mechanical concerns about the 2008 Mode. I was also curious if there is a difference in interior noise with the Crew cab with four full-sized doors vs. the smaller cab 3-door that I have on my 1997 Model. I only do highway driving and I like a quieter cab.

The last question is, I lowered my 1997 Model about 2 inches all around to make it a little easier to get in & out. This 2008 Model sits the standard factory height which is higher. Can you still lower the newer Model trucks just a little bit?

I appreciate your help.

 

You can lower the rear with just shackles, lowering the front will rewuire spindles and is a little bit bigger task. One thing to check, see what color the COPs are. If brown, it has the redesigned heads that use the one piece plug. If it has the black, find out if a plug change has been done and if not, make them do it as part of the deal, just to avoid the hassle of breaking sparkplugs.

These trucks are the smoothiest, quietest I have ever rode in. Also, comfortable. The only other comment, that seems like a little high with that many miles, highway or not.

Good luck.

 

Ford changed the cylinder head design midway through the 2008 model year on the 5.4's. Look at the COP boots - if they are brown it has the new heads, if they are black it has the old ones. The risk with the old ones is spark plugs sticking and breaking when you try to remove them - and at 89k they are just about due. I'd try to get the dealer to change the plugs to seal the deal. Also take a good listen for noisy cam phasers.

 

Going to move this so it will get more views.

 

I think 22K is a little steep for 90K miles. I'd push it below 20K for sure. Otherwise you will have nothing to worry about ride height/cabin noise wise. I had a 98 F150 SuperCab Lariat and my 2008 SuperCrew Lariat is a world of improvement in every category. Just check the COP boots and the other normal used car stuff.

 

Wow, I paid $29,000 for my Lariat with 71 miles. Sticker was around $40k. I only have 16,000 miles on it now, but it's a great truck. It's by far the quietest vehicle I've owned. The only issue I had is the blend door accumulator motor. There's a TSB on it. You might ask them to check OASIS to see if yours has been changed. If not, get them to change it. It's only a $25 part and you're out of warranty.

 

I ordered my 2" Ground Force Shackle kit today. Unfortunately it won't be installed until the 29th. Since the kit is in Cali and i have to go out of town 2 days before they'll be here. But when I get them on, i'll post a pic and you can see the dif from stock and with the shackles on.

 

You guys have no idea how much help you have been for me!
Thank-you very much, and I look forward to seeing the photos of the lowered truck.

Jeff

ps - My 1997 is a Flareside which I have very much enjoyed. I was curious what was the last year they offered the Flareside?

 

2009.

 

_________________________________________________

Bluejay,
They dropped the price to $21,600 on the 2008 F-150 Lariat with
89,000 miles on it. Kelley Blue Books has the truck at $26,000 even
with the high mileage. I may still see if they will go another $500 to
close the deal.
But I wanted to ask you about just how tricky it is to lower the
front. I leveled my 1997 F150 with the Shackles in the rear about
2 inches. But on this truck, I would like to lower the front maybe
an inch or two, and then shackle the rear with either 3 or 4 inches.
Also, does lowering the front & rear affect the ride of the truck. I did
not notice any difference when I leveled my '97.
Thank-you.
Jeff