You won't have any cam phaser issues if you use 5w20 synthetic blend and a fl820s oil filter, change atleast every 5k miles.

Proof? 100k miles on 05 5.4 with no cam phaser noise.

 

well, have 2 trucks im looking at. one is a 2004, XLT, 4x4, 5.4L, ext cab, 110k miles with 33's, $8200. the other is a 2005 Lariat, supercrew, 4x4, 5.4L, 125k miles with 35's, $10K. i never really wanted to go with 35's, but at the price it seems like a decent deal, and i can talk him down due to a few little issues like small chip in windshield, sliding rear window needs a new motor, etc. so what kind of MPG's do yall with 35's get? i know its a truck, but with the extra weight of the supercrew plus the 35's im afraid its a bit less than i was hoping for compared to an ext cab with 33's

 

I'd be a bit leery of both of those - due to the 5.4 3V issues. The 04 had some "first year" problems and the 05's had the fuel injector issues.

If I bought either one I'd be prepared to change the spark plugs - and do your homework on the sticking/breaking problems - and on the 05 I'd be prepared to replace the injectors. If you can hear the cam phasers on either one, be prepared to fix that too.

As long as you know up front about these issues, either one should be a good truck.

Some people get decent mileage with the 5.4, others do not. It's hard to generalize.

 

i already ruled out the 2004, due to the carfax showing it having a salvage title, among about a thousand other issues. the 2005 needs a few things, like fender flare, rear window motor, little things. may go look at it later this week. and good to know about the injectors. i will have to find a video of the cam phaser sound, i have never experienced it

 

I just passed 150,000 and all I have done is change the oil and clean the K&N filter, and brakes of course. I have not even replaced any hoses or the plugs yet and she still is running great. I do plan to do some stuff before too long though.
If it aint broke, don't fix it right.

 

To those of you that have owned 97-03's as well: which did you get better mileage with? My boss has 2003 and 2007 4.6L 2wd Screws, and gets 3-5 mpg better in the 97-03. I know they are heavier trucks, but that just seems odd

 

2008 5.4 4x4 with 96,000 on the clock. Bad battery so far is the only problem. Im going to have the plugs changed at 100,000.

 

^^^ Yer sure livin' by those words.

Plugs on a 3V are 60K maintenance items now - as specified by Ford.

Have you at least replaced the fuel filter, front O2's and cleaned the MAF?

Look up the definition of Preventative Maintenance when yall have a chance

Yikes ... yer poor truck ...

 

Proof? My 04 F150, oil changes at 3-3500K with Motorcraft 5w20 synthetic blend and Motorcraft FL820s since day 1 as the only owner.

Cam phasers started clattering at 67K...much louder but still going strong at 125K....makes a grown man jump in the air spinning his head on a swivel looking for that cool sounding diesel when I drive slowly by.