Just got a 2007 FORD F150 SUPERCREW.

Wondering what I need to know about this model. Are there any idiosyncrasies I should be aware of?

5.4 L V8 Automatic, rear wheel drive. Flex fuel. 134,000 miles.

Had a 1982 F150 years ago. Was a good truck.

Thanking you in advance.

 

First advice I would give you is use ONLY Motorcraft OEM parts regardless of what it is. The Triton engines are real finicky about parts used. You can put a set of Champion or any other brand plugs in it and you might also be installing nothing but a headache. The engine is subject to cam phaser issues. The engine will start knocking and sound like a diesel. They are not cheap to fix and you have 2 of them. The engine comes with plastic cam chain guides. If they crater, it usually takes the rest of the motor with it. By now I'm sure I have your attention and you're thinking "what the hell did I buy?". Many of the 5.4 engine never have any of the above issues but unfortunately it's also not uncommon. The early 2007s had issues with the valve body in the transmission. If the transmission works right as of now, it either was a later build or it's been fixed. At 134,000 miles, I would be looking to change the spark plugs unless you know they have been changed prior. These are a multi-piece plug and are known to break off in the head trying to remove them. Frankly, it's not a plug/engine I would change the plugs in. I'd have the dealer do it. Most will run a double dose of Techron thru the gas to loosen all of the combustion deposits so the plugs come out easier. The oil spec on your engine calls for a 5w-20 oil. If it were mine, it would never see it again. I would recommend the 10w-30 oils to get the stability that the 10w-30 oils bring to the game. They are good to -13F for cold start up. If you have colder start up temps, you might look at the 0w-20 oils. The 10w-30 Pennzoil yellow bottle conventional oil brings 3 times more high heat stability over the likes of Mobil One in 5w-30, as an example. You can research ASTM D-5800 if you like. The Pennzoil has a 4.2 rating while M1 is 11.4 (lower is better). Use a quality oil filter but know the high dollar "performance" filters generally don't filter as well in a single pass thru the filter. Might consider having the transmission flushed so you know what is in it and when it was changed last. It will use Mercon V and any quality brand will work fine. Unless they changed something in your truck, it should take 14 qts for a flush. If you're real **** about the rig, check the rubber on all of the front end parts. I couldn't keep the rubber on the front stabilizer bar for some reason. You might have a front end shop look at the front springs and struts. If they are factory originals, they're due. Don't be surprised if the springs have collapsed, it's far too common on these trucks. I put Monroe Lifetime HD on mine and it brought the front end up to be level with the rear.
There have been a lot of the guys on this forum have major issues with their trucks. Being it's the internet, you never really know how the guys are treating their rigs. Some think they are hot rods. Here's a clue.....they're not. From what I see from folks I know that have these trucks, those that drive like they have common sense don't have near the issues of those that drive them like they stole it. Once you have some personal history with the truck and maybe get thru a bug or two, if you treat it right, it'll probably treat you right. Best of luck with the new rig. I hope it's everything you want it to be.

 

Everything labnerd said is accurate, except for me personally I did not abuse my truck and had a heap of trouble with mine. 2004 fx4. See my post in the how have your trucks held up thread for details. That and I use 5w30 Mobil 1 full synthetic in my reman engine. Fordtechmakuloco on YouTube recommends 5w30 in these engines.

 

One of my neighbors bought a new 04 5.4 and used it to tow his lawn service equipment and trash to the dump. He used 5w40 oil in it and it's still running great with over 140k on it.

 

I like mine, bought in '09. I have changed plugs recently, had two break, but easily fixed using Lisle tools, wrote a thread with pics here. I use 5W30 Motorcraft Synthetic Blend oil and Motorcraft FL820S oil filters only. Mine sounds like a well oiled sewing machine if you open the hood and turn the radio down, otherwise you don't hear it. Have only 68,xxx miles.

I have seen one that failed …. @ 417,xxx miles, but it was used a lot by a farmer with horses, etc to haul.