Back in 2002 I bought the best truck I have ever had. It is a F150 Screw FX4. It now has close to 120000 miles and still rides like it did when it was new. Still tight. Still hauls butt if I want it to. The cows have put a wrinkle in one door and it has a little wear but I still love that truck. I have never kept a truck past 100000 miles and do not want to start having issues with it.

A few months ago I came across a slick 2004 F150 Screw 4X4. Lariat package and very clean. It had about 50,000 miles on it, I made the guy and offer and he took it. While I have enjoyed the quality of the truck, it is obvious that the previous owner of the '04 did not take the care I took of my '02. At times when the '04 is cold, it rattles like a diesel and the gas mileage is a whopping 13.5 mpg according to the display. I have had it checked out by mechanics and they all say it is in good shape. It feels heavier than my '02 but that just because it is. It does not have the "get up and go" or the mpg's that the '02 does.

It is time for me to say goodbye to one of these rides. At least I think it is. I have held onto the '02 through hunting season with the excuse that it was my "hunting truck" and did not want to mess up the '04. Actually, I enjoy driving the '02 much more than the '04. But I think I can use the money from the '02 to accessorize the '04 and maybe make the truck into what I want. I do not need two trucks. It will be a sad day when I say goodbye to my '02 FX. I love that truck. But, one of them has to go. What would you do?

Thanks,
Gottahunt

 

The 04 feels sluggish because....well, it is. Factory tuning sucks major. A custom tune will wake it up. The diesel sound is the cam phasors, mine does the same. Its common on these trucks.

With that said, this is a tough call. The 2004 was the first year for this truck style, the "guinee pig" you could say. Hard to know what to expect. My 2004 is at 105k and constantly breaking, although nothing too major for a while.

Honestly, if they are both out of warranty and you know the older truck has been truly cared for by yourself and are unsure about the maintenance record of the new truck, sell the newer one. The old one will last with good maintenance, thats what these Ford trucks do. You'll get more money for the newer truck as well.

 

I hear ya. Now is a good time to sell both and get a new FX4.

 

Sell the 04. It was the first year of the new (heavy) body style, the 5.4 had cam phaser and spark plug breakage issues, and the electronic throttle can be a pain. As long as you can keep the spark plugs from blowing out, your 02 will run forever.

 

It's pretty plain, you like the 02 better. 120,000 miles is nothing on one of these if maintained properly. I would keep the 02 if it were me.

 

keep the 2002 just keep taking care of it and that 120k will turn into 220k with no problems

 

keep the 02. its always the bad idea to buy the first year of a new bodystyle.

 

Thanks for all the replys. I have learned so much from this site over the past week. I hope I can contribute something in the future.

I saw a new 2010 FX-4 on the local dealers lot last week that really caught my eye. Color was one I liked. Equipped almost exactly how I would want. And an old friend, the guy I bought my '02 FX-4 from, had recently started back working there. I stopped in and paid him a visit. He talked me into bringing both trucks in and letting them give me a quote on a trade for the new FX-4. They gave me a great price on the new truck but hurt my feelings on the trades. I finally decided to take the new truck for a test drive. It felt just like my '04. I had to say thanks but no thanks. I plan on keeping what I have and fixing them up a little.

Now I am learning all I can. I have a Superchips Flashpaq that will be here Monday. On sale at Cabela's. Looked at tires today. Going to go with the Rancho Quick Lifts and add-a-leaf on the '04. Mod my air box with one of the many mods that you guys have used. I plan on purchasing one of the tunes from Superchip that will allow me to use it on both trucks. I plan on fixing the '02 and '04 both up some and drive them both. If I get in a tight for cash, I will sell one.

Thanks again for the advice and all the great info. AWESOME SITE.

 

I had my 97 for 13 years and it had over 300,xxx on it and it ran as god as it did the day i bought it. The body was begging to rust out so it had to go (salt). I miss it but if the oler truck runs great little rust,and you like it then its a no brainer.