I am a ranger guy and always have been. I have a 2006 Ranger 4x4 Supercab 2 door right now. Ive had it since 25k miles. But now the wife and I are expecting a baby and I am looking to upgrade. Sure we have a Ford Fusion, but I dont want to drive that all the time we travel as a family. Soooo that is where this truck comes in:









2004 F150 Screw with 76k miles
I talked guy down to $14000 (private seller)
5.4 Triton
4x4
tow package
black leather seats
he said loaded except for sunroof
brand new michelins

I have read about possible Spark Plug sieze issues as well as Cam Phaser issues. he says that there is nothing wrong with this truck. some retired guy looking to buy a jeep. Said he puts about 8k on it a year

and here is my current truck:

 

I may be a F-150 fanboy, but I wouldn't personally buy an 04 with the 5.4. Too many "first year" issues with the 3 valve engine - some of which took a few years to solve.

With that said, that's a very decent price, private party book is around $16k.

If you want maximum reliability, go back just one year and try to find an 03 Screw with a 5.4. If you want a new body style, look for a 4.6 or a 2007+ 5.4.

 

Inspect it, if you see nothing wrong buy it. That one has the center flow console for rear air. Nice thing to have imo. I would not be afraid of the first year of the body style.

 

Thanks for the honest input guys. That seems to be the general consensus. some say do it, others say dont

 

If the engine is quiet, I would not be concerned about cam phasers. I would get him to have the plugs changed or knock off about 400 for you to do them.

 

Looks like a nice truck. BTW, good looking Ranger.

 

The 04 plugs are the ones that are almost guaranteed to break - they didn't put antiseize on the shanks at the factory. I'd have a Motorvac or BG job done before attempting the plug change.

 

I BOUGHT IT!! He wanted 14500 for it, I picked it up for 14000 with 76k miles. Fully loaded minus the sunroof. man this thing is a beast. feels nothing like the Ranger

 

Good luck! Hope it's a good one for you.

 

thanks! me too. Im going to take off the bullguard and probably running boards

 

SOB!!!!!!!!!

Had a buddy who works for Ford tell me to send in a video of truck idling out of curiosity. So i did, and ill be dang if he said my new truck has the stupid cam phaser issue. I asked the guy about it, and I seriously dont think he knew about it at all.

So I am left with two options:

Now bear in mind I got a fully loaded lariat with only 76k miles for $14000.

1) Fix the issue for around $1200-$1500 (having my wife's uncle fix it as he is a ford mechanic), enjoy and drive it and only have 1500 in the truck

-OR-

2)Just sell and find a different one and possibly get the issue.

I am so torn on what to do. I didnt want to buy a truck to have to fix, the Ranger was perfectly sound mechanically, but Im gonna need a new vehicle as I cant ride baby in the Ranger. We do have a Ford Fusion, but it gets enough miles put on it and i dont wanna drive that everytime we have to go somewhere.

What would ya'll do. truthfully. flip the truck or fix the truck? It didnt sound like this when I heard it, but that was before I found out about hot idle thing and it had been sitting when i looked for 30 minutes or so. the video really enhances it, it doesnt sound that pronounced as it does in video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kikD3DlZEpc

If I am putting the OEM ones back in, isnt it eventually going to get the same issue!? Will replacing the phasers truly get rid of the slight diesel sound?

 

Sorry about this, but I gotta do it..............................

I TOLD YOU SO!

You have a third option - live with the noise.

 

Haha, i took it by ford and had tbem cbeck it kut. Said it was fine. Even if they will need replacing, i got a steal in the truck. I love this thing!!!

 

I have a 04 Supercrew with the 5.4, haven't had ANY engine related issues (then again i haven't ventured into the sparkplug realm yet . Bought my truck with 45k miles on it, now has 94k. CONGRATS on the find, now let the modding begin

 

Thanks i just need to find some nicer chrome running boards/stepup bars as the chrome is flaking off on mine. So far truck iz running like a champ. Putting her to work tomorrow pulling boat