Anyone with experience with this motor pipe in! I'm looking to replace my 1986 F 150 4x4 <120K> with what looks like a nice 1997 F 250 Extended cab 4 x4. Recent trans rebuild is the only history I have on it. But honetly, how many miles will that 5.4 <351W?> last me?
Also anything specific i should be looking for on these trucks? i have noticed some cracked doors on the 150 but the 250 being a different style seem to be a-ok.

Comments always welcomed!!!

Regards

Tommy

 

Why in the world would you replace a Truck with 120k on it for one with 150k on it? Nothing wrong with the 5.4, but I don't think I'd replace a 86 w/ 120k for a 97 w/ 150k. How well it has been driven is reall important at this point, and knowing the tranny has been rebuilt doesn't give the owner any positive points in my book.
I haven't ever in my life had to have an engine or tranny rebuilt on any vehicle I've owned. but I can't afford to rebuild one, nor do I have something else to drive, so I stick to 'as new as I can afford' and I drive it like I own it.
My buddy got an expy (5.4) with 120k on it, and now it's up to 180k, and doing fine. He got a real good deal on it, and can afford to take a chance, though, because he can afford to rebuild it, and has other cars to drive in the meantime.

Bottom line is if you can't afford to take a chance, then don't.

 

Reasons are pretty simple. Miles or not my 1986 2 door 4 x4 shows it's age a LOT more then a 1997 ext cab 4x4 that I'm looking at. Living in the North East has taken a tool on my 1986 <rust in the floor and 1 fender well> and forget about the paint. The black has long since lifted to expose the primer on a great deal of the steele.
The I-6 with carb has long been down on power in my 1986. The fact that it's NOT an extra cab has made me nuts since the day I purchased it. Thats "why in the world" I would replace it.
Don't get me wrong I have owned my 1986 since it has 28 K miles <1987> and it only stranded me once <bad module>. But lets face it. it looks like a POS and honestly I need that extra foot behind the drivers seat.

So thats it in a nut shell!

Best regards

Tommy

 

I understand why you are replacing it. I just don't inderstand why you would replace it with another high milage vehicle.
I would be afraid to buy a Truck with 150k on it, unless I bought it to use as a second Truck or a 'beater' as they say.

 

If I had the $$$$ to lump down on a low milage F series I would. But I looked at 2 "late model" <98> F 150's recently. One had 96 and the other just over 100K miles!! Both of the owners wanted TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! It seems it's the lesser of 2 evils to purchase a "older" truck also with higher milage for more then 1/2 the price.
Also no offence but it seems the Mod motor has it's share of problems I was not aware of.
But thanks for the opinion. I was just looking for confirmation on what exactly to expect from a 351W at 150K miles.

Best regards

Tommy

 

My buddy got a 97 F150 last year for 6k that had about 80k miles. Shop around. He buys and sells a lot of cars and Trucks, and he always tells me about what ever he buys, so I know what's out there. Be glad you have a Truck that runs now, and don't be desperate.

 

The 5.4L isn't the 351W. The 351W is the old 5.8L (a superior engine to the 97 5.4L). The 97 5.4L had issues with head gaskets in early versions as well as exhaust leaks as well if I remember right. I wouldn't trust one myself, especially with that many miles.



You say that the 250 you're looking at is a different body style than the F150. I assume you're comparing 2 97 models? If you're looking at an F250 thats a different body style than a 97 F150 then the F250 is an HD not a LD. In 97 there was an F250HD and an F250LD. The LD looked the same as the F150 but had 7 lug axles and the IFS front suspension like the F150. The HD was like the 92-96 F250s. It was the same body style, used the same engines, had the good 8lug axles, and used the D50TTB front axle. In the HD you could not get the 5.4L (big plus). You could get the 5.8L (351W), 7.5L (460), or the 7.3L Powerstroke diesel. All 3 of these engines are far superior to the engines offered in the LD (4.6L or 5.4L). The LD was an attempt by Ford to beef up the F150 that really wasn't all that beefy. The HD was still the old school 3/4 ton with 8 lug full floater axles. If it is a LD you're looking at with that many miles run away from it as fast as you can. If its an HD then take a look at it, but I'd still be a little worried about that many miles even on a 5.8L If it was a diesel with that many miles it would be ok, but not on a gasser. No matter what way you look at it its still a buttload of miles. I would do some more shopping and find one with some fewer miles. They're out there, but you may need to shop for a few months.

 

Don't forget the coils, heat hose that leaks in to the spark plug

 

powerstroke73 thanks for taking the time to post that info. I should have made it clear the 1997 250 I was looking at was "old school". Meaning it was the old what I like to call round nose body. Not the more "modern" looking style thats in production today.
As someone whom turns wrenches all day I needed a wakeup call on the 351W with 150K. Somehow I "wanted" somone to tell me this was a magic year and they were all good for 300K miles! <lol>. As I need a decent dependable truck I think I'm going to pass on this one. Last thing I need to do is an engine job on a f series!
Would you care to comment on the powerstroke in the 97 model years <old school> 4x4's. We have them in our fleet at work, but there 4x2's. Aside prom pukeing the tranies at about 25K most seem a-ok. I have another truck to go look at but it's 200 miles away. I'm told this is a 1 owner 59K orig mile 1997 250 H.D. 4x4 extended cab. Powerstroke, auto, no idea what transfer case. It looks clean from the photos provided to me. Again it's the old school nose. Lastly would this thing pull off the basic 12/13 miles per gallon?

Best Regards

Tommy in NY