I am looking at a 1997 f-150 4x4 ext. cab with 50,000 miles to buy from a private party. I was wondering if there were any problems with that model that i should look for. It has had one owner and is a very good price so it looks like a good buy. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

pssst, check out the engines forum... lots of info in there.

 

Ok thanks but also just in general not just in the engine department.

 

I know door cracks were common in the earlier F150s (starting at 97 year) but this may or may not be an issue for that truck.

What engine does it have? I read up on the 4.6L and 5.4L because I was looking at a 97 4.6L F150 as well.

Have you done a Carfax on it yet?

 

I had a 97 F150 Lariat with 4.6 auto tranny I bought new, and had very few problems. For the 115,000 miles I drove, this is what I replaced or repaired:
1. Alternator at 110,000 miles
2. Heater core at 105,000 miles
3 Radiator at @100,000 miles
4. Front rotors @ 95,000 miles
5. Front pads twice.
I consider all of the above items consumables and don't typically mind replacing them when they lasted over 7 years.
Damn good truck. Traded it for a 2004 F250 SD/SC

 

wow that is not bad for how long they lasted. I am waiting for the seller to get back to me on the engine size and the vin number. I do know that it is a v8.

 

Theres lots of things to look for--go to the Engines forum and do a search on lots of things, and just generally read page after page and learn about your truck.
Things to look for:

-Is it a 4.2 V-6, 4.6/5.4 V-8 ?
-Does it have any maintence records?
-Does the rear window leak? Check and see
-Does it ping? Is there any hesitation with the engine/tranny?
-Any door cracks?
-Check the bottom insides of the doors for any rust
-Lots of other things to check, do a search youll find lots of info

Seems that the 4.6's are the motors to get, some getting over 350,000 miles. Check and see if it's got the PI heads or not...PI heads are a good thing, especially on a 5.4.

Just a little bit to get you started. Go start a Thread in the Engines forum and we'll respond there!

 

cool thanks

 

I have a 97 f-150 with the 4.6 and 5 speed and its has performed great. I had one torsion bar break (4 wheelin) and this week the passenger side headlight faild and had to be replaced (go figure). The truck has 120,000 miles on it and has held up to good. I do have one door crack and the rear window may leak inside the carwash but i bought it in aug. 96 and drive it now 150 miles a day to and from work. it has never let me down. If it runs well and has some kind of maint records and the price is right BUY IT!!!!.

 

just out of morbid curiosity, what is a door crack?

 

Thank you I have heard that term often on here and was hoping I would not figure it out the hard way...Follow up to the question is there any way to help prevent it?

 

door crack in a tiny crack located on rightside of window frame on either door just before it arches under. It is on the sheet metal right next to the window frame. Look on home page here on right side and it may still be there.

 

https://www.f150online.com/articles/cracks2.htmlhttps://www.f150online.com/articles/cracks2.html

 

Wow, thanks glad it was asked...Mine hasn't started yet, I dont know if it has been updated or not...So I called my local dealer and have an appointment to take it in and have it checked Friday.