Getting a new truck. What should I look for?
 

I'm going to get a 2005 F-150 Fx4 on Friday with 94,000 miles on it. What should I look for? Anyone know of any problems to check out before I take it home? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Plan on spending several hundred bucks to get the spark plugs changed. With that mileage, it's due for transmission fluid service, diff fluid change, transfer case fluid change, fuel filter, and coolant flush. If it has noisy cam phasers, walk away.

That's probably why the previous owner sold it - it's due for some fairly major periodic maintenance.

Several hundred for plugs? I must have a cheaper mechanic than I thought. :rofl: Agree that they need to be changed as does tranny fluid and fuel filter. Ford claims in the owner's manual that the differentials are considered lubricated for life and do not need to be checked or changed unless aleak is suspected, service is required, or the axle assembly has been submerged in water. I would at the very least have it checked before outright changing it. Agree with the coolant too.

Plug change prices vary widely, and it also depends on how many break.

If you have ever opened up a diff with 100k and looked at the fluid, it's NASTY. Limited slip rears start to chatter around 100k without a fluid change.

Good to know on that one. I am going to hold off even though I am getting close to it till I make a decision about new gears. Would be a waste of $$ to get it changed just to do it a gain a few months down the road.