Many of you probably know of me or seen some of my posts. My activity has slumped recently due to starting a new job and adjusting to a new lifestyle.

I currently own a 2005 Scab 5.4l XLT w/70,000 miles. It sits with a 2.5" AS and 34" tires. I have done a lot of custom work to this truck including custom built light bar and wiring, upgraded audio, led interior lights completely (switches, dash, dome), led 3rd and tail, under bumper reverse lights, etc. I go on for quite awhile talking about all the time I have put into the truck. As far as maintenance issues I have replaced cam phasers, spark plugs, done all oil changes, exhaust manifolds, installed the AS, installed exhaust. Recently the transmission took a dump and it was rebuilt. This is the only maintenance related item that has been done to the truck that wasn't done by me. Other than any recall work the dealer or any auto shop has never touched this thing.

Because of this I am very attached to my truck and I still feel that this is the best looking truck body style around (new or old). It seems like this thing has had about every common problem known to these trucks. At 70,000 I was disappointed when the transmission quit on me. I am always wanting to do more to it and I have a list of many things I would still like to do. But, I am beginning to wonder if its getting to the point where I should sell it and purchase a new truck and start over again. Many of the mods like more lift begin to worry me at 70,000 especially with the truck being 8 years old and just having a new tranny put in. I can sale for a good price right now and have money to put down on a new truck. I fear if I keep it that I will be ready to get rid of it in ~3 years and regret not doing it sooner when it was still somewhat low mileage and could sale easy for a good price.

So this is where I would like your opinions. Would you keep it and continue to mod it or would you go buy new w/ warranty and start from scratch?

P.S. sorry for the long winded post. Wanted to get all the info out there.

 

Honestly I would keep it, for the price of a new truck, you could keep yours going for a long time. That really sucks about the the problems, I've been lucky enough not to have any. And I agree, these trucks are my favorite body style F150.

 

I agree, keep it as long as you can. Unless you're wanting a car, or going to buy a newer truck (keeping it somewhat stock) and trading it in every couple years, you are ahead of the game with what you have now. Doing all the work you have done to another truck, on top of a new truck payment can get expensive unless you're ready for that.

Over the summer I was in the same scenario, wondering whether to keep or sell. At 82,000 miles, my motor dropped the tulip off the valve stem, causing a cracked piston and cylinder wall. Needless to say, I had to put a brand new motor in. So, I've decided to keep it at least a few more years.

Regardless though, you've got a really nice truck. So good luck in deciding in deciding which move is best for you to make.

 

This is what I'm doing... buy a commuter car and keep the truck. Just save a bit to buy something you can almost pay off.

 

If you trust it and feel like it is or can still be reliable for you, keep it. Otherwise, sell it. Also, if you know you're going to want to get a new truck within a few years, that's another strike against keeping it. And that's coming from the guy that literally always says to keep it. I think ours are the best looking body style by far.

But it seems you've gotten screwed with every possible major thing so far. If you just dropped $3k on a tranny, maybe you should put some more miles on it and get you money's worth out of it. One last thing is that most of the stuff you have on your truck will swap into a new one pretty easily. Wheels and tires, subs and amp (and possibly radio but I don't think speakers), light bar with some new brackets maybe (I followed its build thread btw), and lots of other things will swap right over. At least you haven't lifted it or done headers or something, that you won't get back. Not without a lot of effort haha

 

I have been thinking really hard about getting a new truck, but I really don't want to. I'm very iffy on how I feel about my truck, but I feel like I should have fixed about everything that could go wrong with it now.

My biggest issue is I would like to still do a few things to it. I would actually like to put n-fab steps, pre-runner light bar, upgrade my HU. I had plans to build a new light bar and steps, but now that I am working full time and don't have a shop at my disposal like at my parents I don't see this happening. I will most likely buy both of those products. If I can convince myself I will keep another 3-5 years then I think the mods will be well worth it to me. If I sell the truck I will most likely just sell it as is. The only things worth moving to me are tire and wheels and I'm honestly ready for a change of pace on that front.

I think keeping it and waiting is worth it though. I can not afford much more than a base model new vehicle at this time and I feel like I would just be moving backwards in some ways because of that. I love my truck right now and other than its questionable mechanical reliability I would be in no way thinking of getting rid of it.

I am going home this weekend to pick my truck up after the new transmission was put in. I have a feeling that when I get it back in my possession that will seal the deal on keeping it.

 

With only 70,000 on an 05, you don't put a lot of miles on a truck, so a new one would be pretty costly on a per mile basis. If you like hour truck, my advice is to keep it. I had an 05 that I really liked, but had 135,000 on it and being on the road s lot late at night, I was coerced into a new one in 2011. I really like the 5.0 engine and a few other things about the newer trucks, but my 05 looked better and I loved that thing. Wish I still had it.

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That sounds like a good plan, and logical. Part of what would make a new truck more appealing is the ~3-6 mpg increase if you drive a lot, but you don't.

Just a heads up, the closer a vehicle is to stock, the more money you'll get for it as a trade-in at a dealership (I work at one). A few things like, wheels/tires, and a lift, can add some value. But stereo equipment isn't good, especially aftermarket head units and things. So some stuff would be good to remove because they hurt value and limit the number of potential customers because of personalized modifications.

 

You make a good point Bluejay. I think you guys have helped make up my mind to keep it. I can save money for a few years and when I'm ready I can get a nicer model instead of settling for a base and still keep my payments low.

If I were to sell my truck I would sell it out right and not trade-in. Stock or modded dealerships wouldn't want to give me anything for the truck to begin with.

 

im in the same boat. id really like to get newer body f150 with the 5.0 just for the peace of mind compared to now with the tranny, but i dont like how i cant get a 5.0 with the red/grey two tone. i also am not a big fan of the move away from limited slips

 

i guess i lied. according to fords website it still looks like you can order a 3.73 ls, but only with a 6.5 box? and i know the kr and lariat comes with two tone, just not red on grey. but hey, maybe this thread has talked me into a new truck soon

 

I had a new transmission put in at 58k and now have just over 100k on the truck. I've considered a new truck, but can't justify having payments. Even if you get $20k trade-in, you'll still have another $10,000 to go before it's paid off.
10 grand covers a lot of repairs and mods.....

 

Mine had 92k on it when the factory tranny went out a few months ago. My truck has had tranny issues since 25k. Since the warranty has since expired the truck was paid off and I surely didn't want another truck payment, although I'd really like to have one of the newer model engines. I went with a jasper tranny and I couldn't be happier with it. Jasper is a little more expensive but not much and the quality IMO is pretty good. So keep the truck a $3k tranny is a lot cheaper than a 30-40k new truck especially with all your mods.

 

did you get a brand new tranny or a reman?

is the jasper just a remaned oem?

 

Mine was replaced by Ford under Warranty, so whatever they put in it.