I'd go for an 08 with the 5.4 and with the brown spark plug boots.

 

An F250 isn't justified for towing horses a few times per year when gas mileage is a concern. And at the end of the day, finding a truck that appears to be respectfully owned and taken care of and properly maintained is the way to go. That's more important than a specific model year. And absolutely always get any used car looked at up on a lift by a certified mechanic that you trust. When spending that much money on a truck, the $100 for an inspection is always worth the piece of mind it can give you. This is especially true when you don't know what to look out for and are a little warey about a purchase. I work at a huge used car dealership and I ALWAYS suggest an inspection. It'll help ya rest a little easier buddy! And if that '09 body style is important to you and you feel good about it, go for it! Though I'd personally rather have an older truck with lower mileage

 

What is different about the spark plug boots on the 08' trucks?

 

5.4 3v motors.

The early 08's (NBS 04-early 08) had the old heads with the problematic two piece spark plugs and black spark plug boots. The later 08's have the new redesigned heads and one piece plug design and brown spark plug boots. The boot color indicates the redesigned heads.

Why do you want the new heads? No issues with plug changes like the old design heads.

 

What month in 08' did they switch over to the 2009 body style? My truck was manufactured in March of 2008. Is it possible that my truck has the new redesigned heads?

 

If it has brown boots it does. I don't know the exact dates they switched, but there are 08's with the new heads.

 

Cool. I am going to check tomorrow!

 

I finally got around to looking at my spark plug boots today. They are BROWN!!!! . . . . . . . . So this really means that I can just wrench them out when the time comes? They won't bust off? No special tool needed for removal?

 

Right. For more info see page three starting with 88racing's plug pictures post.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...-5-4-3v-3.html

 

Cool Thanks.

I'm at 33,500 miles now. When would you change them? Still 90,000 - 100,000 miles like the two-piece plugs?

 

Depends on driving habits. Stop and go change sooner. Highway change later. I'd say 60,000 miles. I think that's the new recommendation anyhow.