Hey everyone, I am looking around for my first truck, particularly at fords!

Most of the f150s im interested in are around 2005-2006 lariat with about 120k miles. My parents are worried about the maintenence on these. One has a new transmission and clear history. 6' professionally installed lift

What can I expect on repairs?

 

If it has not yet been done I would get the plugs changed ASAP! You will see tons of threads on here about blown spark plugs. Ford engines are notorious for this! Other than that you can expect fuel filters, wires, belts, hoses, pulleys etc. The normal stuff you have to do to any car.

Honestly, I would look for a truck with less miles. 120K is a lot and if it already needs a new tranny you might be looking at a lot of future problems with it. Some people get a new tranny and then it fails again and again and again. Others get a new tranny and it never fails.

What size tires does it have? Has it been re geared? If not, you might want to do that which will cost you some pennies. If it has a huge lift and huge tires and is not re geared then you will most likely have more trans problems (most likely the reason it needs a new one) along with a possible axle/differential problems.

Do your homework. Don't spend money on a truck just because it looks sick. I looked everyday for about 6 months and finally found the perfect deal. I assume your a teenager or early 20's since you mentioned your parents being worried. Don't jump on this deal just because it looks cool. There is a possibility it will just be a never ending money pit. I have friends who jumped into deals because the truck is sick and now they hate Ford because theres was a POS and the previous owner didnt take care of it.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND BE SMART! Either way good luck.

D

 

The blown sparkplugs are engines prior to 2003. The plug problem with the 5.4 3v from 2004-early 2008 is that they may separate during removal. See the thread in the Articles and How to Section. If it has a new tranny and a lift, I would be nervous. Probaly too much stress on the tranny.

Review the index of the Articles and How To section, there are several articles that may help you.

 

Avoid the one with the "professionally installed" lift. That means to me more wear and tear and worse gas mileage.

 

Yeah I've been doing my homeowrk as much as I can. The truck has new 35" (I believe) Nitto Grapplers. I have been looking about everyday and this is the one that has the most truck for the money.

The reason it got a new tranny was the ford dealership failed to put the plug back in while getting the fluid changed at 100k. The guy drove down the road and it locked up on him, so they installed one free of charge. The owner claims he has the paperwork saying this.

I have read about ball joints and stuff in the rear end going out, so what would be the cost of this? Also how much would re gearing it cost?

 

Regearing both differentials would cost quite the money. You are probably looking at around 1400-2000 depending on the shop and if they use all new parts or just what they can get by with. Also, depending on gears, 35s will be hurting the transmission. It wont go out right away, but there is extra stress it doesn't need.

 

I dont wanna scare u away from buying a f150, its been a great truck for 4+ years, but if u want to read the headache Im having heres the link:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...ml#post4606785

 

Silver04f150 I hope you can get that fixed for as cheap as you can. What other problems or maintenence, if any, have you had with the truck?

If i choose to not re gear, how much stress would that put the transmission under, enought to last about 30,000 miles or are we talking 3,000?

 

I wouldn't buy a truck that was lifted/has over size tires. More than likely it's been beat off road and has been abused. Find a clean stock truck and do what you want with it from there, you'll be better off.

There are many good ones with over 100k miles. Just choose carefully and you'll be fine.

 

Some people have told me that too, im also looking at some of those.

This guy that has the lifted truck with 120k that im really interested in put the lift one and has only used it for hauling his four wheeler to races. Never been offroading or abused. I race motorcross too so i can relate.

 

Do you race professionally or just for fun? I go to the track every now and then with my brother and some buddies.

One of the guys I go with is a pro sx racer and he had a lifted truck and got over it because it was such a PITA getting his bike in and out of the bed with a 6 inch lift.

As far as the trans lasting, it might last over 50k or it might last 3k. It really just depends on the tranny, you can never tell. Was it rebuilt or was it a whole new trans? On that truck it MIGHT go out faster since its not re geared. It will lug down the engine, put more strain on the trans, make it slower and gas mileage will not be very good. Re-gearing it will be about 2k alone in labor. Its very difficult to change the gears(for most people anyway) and it takes a while.

Keep looking and take your time.

If you wait long enough the perfect deal will come along.

D

 

Well if the OP knows he wants a lifted F150 he should look at it as long as it's in good condition. The op can save thousands of dollars buying a truck that is already set up the way he wants it. Money saved that can also go to any potential repairs.
More than likely it probably never been off road. Most people never take their trucks lifted or not, off roading. If so it's for some minor trail riding. It's pretty easy to tell if a truck has been off roadeding a lot. Look for light schratches running all or most of the truck from brush on trails. And carefully inspect the under carriage for rust. If the truck has seen a lot of mud you will find rust and built up dirt somewhere.

120k on the odometer is a lot but it depends on what the price is to. 35's aren't that hard on the truck and it has a fresh tranny in it. What is the asking price?


Something the op will have to do if he lifts the truck himself anyway. Also, if the truck has 3.73's in it stock it should be fine for running 35's. 3.55's would probably be ok to. I'm running 3.73's with 37's, while not ideal it does the job. It's a bit of a slug but i don't mind cause it's a truck, if i want to go fast i drive the mustang.

 

Id get a 03 if i were you. They are one of the most realiable years.

 

The person that said 90% of lifted trucks have never been off road is right on imo. My friend has an 06 that he bought from the dealership new already lifted and has no no problems...other than the fact that mine rides beautifully and his...well not so much. I have an 04 with very close to 170k and i bought it new and have taken care of it immaculately. The leather and all other interior pieces still look very close to new and mechanically i have had VERY few problems. The biggest headache i had was when all four window regulators went out within minutes of each other...in the middle of August in Florida...while i was goimg to court and therefore in a suit (im a lawyer so court wasnt the issue).

As with all used vehicles, it lays to know what to look for and this site will be very valuable for you to know exactly what to look for. Of course, there are always exceptions, but the mileage wouldnt be a deal breaker for me as long as the truck has been taken care of the correct way and not abused off road. Good luck.

 

Right now i race fro fun around some local tracks with some friends. Yeah i hear that, Im going to have to buy some new ramps if its already lifted! I have been looking for a while

Big50- Yeah im pretty sure i want a lifted truck, and would much rather have a professionally installed lift than a homemade.

I plan on expecting it when i get there, The last one I looked at, the under carriage looked like it was about to break from so many dents and scratches. This owner claims his is in good condition and asking is 15k.

Ill ask him what the gears are right now, but you are right, saving money on getting something lifted already i can spend money on other things, such as regearing?

On the speed part, I dont really care if it goes fast, as long as it is not sluggish and can pull easily. I have a bmw at home if i need fast


I might add gas mileage is about 12-13mpg