HI there all!

I have an opportunity to upgrade trucks and I'm just looking for some opinions from the community here...

I am currently driving a 2006 f150 XL 4.2l 5 speed 2wd
It has 100,000km with full sound system, exhaust, k&n filter HD grill and lights sitting on a 2" leveling kit and 22" boss rims

I have the opportunity to possibly step up to a 2004 f150 5.4l lariat, 173,000km new tires, full leather and moon roof etc.

Just wondering what some of the owners of that truck have to say about it I.e. Reliablity, fuel consumption, driving conditions etc. And any problems they may have.

Thanks for the help!!

 

As an owner of a 2006 XLT Screw 5.4, I'd take that 4.2 over the lariat from a reliability standpoint. I haven't had any bad issues with mine (knock on wood), but I'd trust that 4.2 more for multiple reasons. 3V 5.4s are temperamental and sensitive with fuel filters, etc and develop cam phaser and other issues (look these up). It's nothing that would keep me from buying another one, but the average 4.2 (I feel) will be more reliable than a 5.4.

Mine is 2wd, 2" added in front and back, 33's, headers back exhaust, drive the **** out of it, and barely get 13 mpg, if that. This is supposedly atypical though, usually a good bit better.

Personally, if you want to upgrade, I'd get a screw XLT with lower mileage. Nothing against the XLs, but XLTs get all the exterior appearance stuff of higher trim without the huge (too large imo) lariat surcharge. But I'm not someone who cares about my interior a whole lot, mostly just appearance and motor. You literally pay, even used at that mileage, $3-4k just for the "lariat" package.

 

Nothing wrong with a 5.4 3v that is taken care of properly! Many people here with 200k miles + on them!

 

Yeah, but 04 was the first year of the 3v, and it had some issues. You also have no idea whether it was taken care of properly or not. If you want to upgrade, look for a 4.6.

 

If it's been yours since new and had only Motorcraft oil filters and been driven moderately its entire life, that's true. A used one with ~120k (conversion?) miles on an 04 is iffy. It very well could have been properly taken care of and be 100% perfectly fine, but you never know. Unless it was ticking real bad, it wouldn't keep me from buying it though.

 

My prior truck, and '04 5.4L 3v XLT, had held up better cosmetically, and mechanically, than my current 2007 3V Lariat truck has. My Lariat feels cheap in some spots, makes some interior noises, and has a cracked exhaust manifold. My 2004 ran perfect except for the transmission that I caused the abuse to.

 

Hey guys thanks for the input i will take all of that into consideration with my next purchase.
Going to look into the 4.6l screw as well see what options I have.

Thanks again

 

It's really how the person who drove it before took care of it. My '04 has held up nicely through 3 Maine winters and 3 Mass winters with minimal rust. 182k on it so far. One tip: if its a a screw and will be driven in the northern states i'd highly recommend bringing it to a body/welding shop and having the cab corner gap welded shut to prevent the rust-thru issue. Just my $.02

If you want to see my excel spreadsheet of things i've had to do to mine PM your email and i'll send it over. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

The dash board is what makes interior noises on my 2008. Its like 65 pieces. Making it one piece like Rolls Royce does would easily clear up this problem. I drove a 2004 XLT work truck (240,000 miles on the odometer) a few times and the interior did seem to be a lot more durable. I think Ford went cheaper with them as time went on leading up to 2008. After the 08' financial collapse they had to up their game again in order to stay on top.