I bought a 96 F-150 XLT a few weeks ago 4.9, Manual, 200,000km. Clutch master and slave choked on me, are these trucks notorius for anything breaking? I'm new to ford, just trying to do a little preventitive maintence.

 

In all fairness the truck you bought does have 200,000K on it, which means that it's at a point where pretty much everything will need to be serviced. Those '96 F150's are no better or worse then anything else from that year, it all comes down to how well the previous owner looked after it.

 

I'de imagine the PO beat the hell out of it, but it was cheap and the motor is sound and rides well. Like I said earlier, I am a Ford virgin, just trying to get to know it. I have several other vehicles and for them it is wise to change the timing belt and head gasket asap because they are zero tolerance engines and when the belt goes so does the timing gear and all exhaust valves. Expensive lesson to learn but now I know. And for my other rides, they are all just notorius for certain things, tranny mount, injectors, fuel distributor,blah blah blah. Just trying to get ahead of the game. Thanks for the response, I think everyone else is pissed at my 1st post but I was a bit upset at the new truck leaving me in an intersection with my son. And the PO is a ****.

 

If your looking for stuff to do to try and keep it reliable then replace all the belts and hoses, replace the timing chain because it probably still has the original. Flush the cooling system, replace the water pump and maybe the rad to make sure everything is solid. Change the oil (both engine and transmission) regularly plus the basics like spark plugs, fuel filter and it should last a few more years.

 

Thanks for the advice, I wouldn't have thought to change the water pump or rad, but the rest I will do this week. The oil is clean and new tranny fluid will be in from replacing the slave and master and the retarded $100 dealer only line. Belts, hoses, and plugs are a given, and I think the rad is good. Now I just have to order a fuel filter. Thanks again and I hope the truck lasts for a few good years of pounding. I have some off roading to do...

 

Replacing the water pump may/may not be necessary, I just mentioned it for the piece of mind aspect. If it's new then you know it won't fail when you need it the most, like on a hot trail next summer.

 

Very true, I think I'm just going to hit the trails stock and go from there. Where a bunch of us go, no one attempts it stock... and they all have a winch so I'm good. I'm going to either destroy my truck or show them up, lol. Either way, it will be a riot. Hopefully I get a day or so before the snow to rock a few trails.

 

Any pictures yet?