Hey guys, I currently own a 1994 F150 with a 302 and manual transmission. The truck is super tight, drives great, but no enough power to haul stuff on steep grades... I am looking for around a 5-6k budget and came across this pickup.

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/ctd/4854779709.html

It's pretty clean and drove real well... I am taking the pickup into the shop tomorrow to have it inspected... Just curious what I should be looking for. I have owned a few 2v 5.4's and I am aware of the spark plug issue (never had any issues before) also owned a lightning with magnum powers blower, SVT programmer with custom tunes, blah blah...

This truck will replace my current F150 as my daily and haul a Polaris Ranger side by side from time to time on my 10x8 trailer in the summer. Fuel mileage is not a concern as my F150 gets 10mpg when i am in 4x4 and 14 when in 2wd. Doesn't matter if I am towing or empty.

My current truck has 200k and I don't see any reason why it wont do 100k more. I maintain my vehicles really well and they last a long time. I just happened to run across this video and it gave me second thoughts.

 

All solid front axle with coil spring front ends can be subject to this, but the only Super Dutys that had a real problem were 2005 through 2009. If the front end is well maintained and has no loose parts, you should be okay.

 

Thanks. Should I be worried that the v10 has 200k miles? Hard to find an answer when these trucks give up the ghost.

 

If it has been maintained well, and it sounds good, I would not be concerned about it.

 

Well, I was able to walk out the door with the truck for $4,000. Hoping that's good enough of a deal to fix some issues it has.

Needs the following...

1. Passenger side u joint is toast, needs replacing
2. New Battery
3. Door actuators have an issue as the passenger side doors don't lock. You can hear it trying, but the locks don't move.
I picked it up this morning, got it to the shop and the shop could tell it had been cleared recently. Though it was showing a 6000 reading on their reader every once in a while (guess it means cylinders showing misfires...) They said they weren't sure what was up with that until it was driven more or they looked at it more.
4. Tranny looked like it was recently rebuilt, not sure who or the quality. But did look new.
5. Coolant overflow was completely full, not normal... Truck was cold though, possible pressurization?

Other than that he said it looked super clean.

Anyone have any clues on the misfire? Shop suggested I drive it so it throws a real code and then we can go from there.

 

Misfires are usually plugs and/or cops.

The V-10 has the same blowout issue as the V-8, so use MC plugs and torque to 28 ft/lb with no antiseize.

 

Thanks, I went ahead and replaced the battery with a 750 CCA sealed battery today. I also checked on COPS and they were $50/ea, so I decided not to replace them quite yet until I can track down which cylinders are having the issue. I will replace plugs and wires then too.

Hoping to take the truck to the shop within a few days to get the right u-joint fixed.

 

No wires, just cops.

Change the plugs, if it still misses you can take a chance on the cheap Chinese cops which should be under $100 for a whole set.

 

I hate cheeping out on electrical parts... But the little reviews on them seem to be good. I also found a link on how to fix my actuators on another forum for next to nothing. So when it isn't so darn cold I will give that a go.

Thanks for the info guys!

 

You can buy them at araparts.com for only $1 more - and the araparts owner has a forum account here if you have an issue, his username is David Aragon.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/v8...e-misfire.html

 

Thanks. I will drive it for a bit and see how she runs. I got the truck back today from the shop... $400 later for the u joint and a coolant system flush.

 

Well, drove the truck to the coffee shop today and while I was waiting I noticed an antenna in the middle of the window up high... Took it to the auto start dealer here and sure enough it was a 2 way compustar unit!

$80 bucks later I have an autostart with door locks!

Snapped a pic today, as threads are worthless without pics.

 

Well, I finally hit half a tank so decided to fill her up... 13.5 gallons later and only going 91 miles.... Means I am getting roughly around 6.7 miles per gallon... Eek! It is the winter, and I am running around in 4wd, but 7mpg seems rough. I don't hot rod, I drive it like an old man.

I am assuming this isn't right... Truck isn't throwing any codes, seems to run good from what I can tell, every once in a while at idle it feels as though the engine misses? It kind of rumbles/stutters or shakes the truck just a very slight bit. Best way to describe it.

I have an ELM327 on the way and I already have torque installed on my phone. I will go ahead and give those $100 COPS a try and replace the plugs. I assume use antisieze on the threads of the plugs and torque to spec. (noticed up top someone said MC plugs and no antisieze to 28ft/lbs) any reason for this?

Any other ideas what could cause this bad of gas mileage and not throw a code? Only thing I could think of was a clogged cat.

 

DO NOT use antiseize.

http://www.blownoutsparkplug.com/faqs.htm

FAQ's #51 and 52.

That mileage doesn't surprise me at all in the winter in town in 4wd. The V-10 is a notorious gas hog.

 

A tuner will help the fuel mileage. See if you can find a cheap used Superchips. That's the cheapest solution and it will help.