I am thinking of getting rid of my chevy and going back to a Ford. I am thinking about a 97-2000 f-150. I am hoping to get some info as to which engines and trannys to stay away from and which work the best. I need an extended cab 4x4 and prefer the swb. I would like to pull a holiday trailer with it. At present I have a 6.5 liter turbo diesel.

Thanks for any and all input.

Rob

 

You have a 6.5L Chevy diesel? You poor poor man...

The years you're looking at are all good, but I think I would look at the '99 and '00 trucks. I had a '97 and while it was a wonderful truck there were some deficiencies in the design. Foremost for me was that it lacked a 4th door, if you're looking at the SuperCab. Second, the '97's door handle was mounted low and it dug into my left knee. Third, the rear window leaked and if the truck you're buying didn't get it repaired properly (new window), you could have some future problems.

The '99's 5.4L engine is different from the previous years and puts out more horsepower. It also gets better mileage. The '99 and up trucks handle and ride better too. Every year has seen an improvement in ride and handling.

When looking at a used Ford, make sure the plugs were changed. They are a real pain to replace and if they weren't replaced well before the 100,000 mile interval, you may run the risk of striping the plugs out. At least that's the consensus of the people here.

 

99 and 00 have different rear seat configurations too, the 99 folds down and provides a steel loading surface, the 2000 seat folds up, I prefer the 1999.

Some piston slap problems with 5.4L and also a milling problem on the passenger side head surface of some of the blocks.. search for these, they have been covered extensively.

 

I'd suggest a 2000 4.6L or 5.4L. Ford made more 5.4L F-150 (s) than they did 4.6L, so these are more common on the dealer lot.

I would personally go with the 4.6L because it does have plenty of power and a spotless track record.

The common problems with the 5.4L are mostly associated with piston slap and leaking head gaskets. For a short time, Ford was replacing any '99 5.4L with piston slap but I believe that has ended. Some engines have also had the heads and or head gaskets replaced more than once. I think that Ford has finally figured out how to do this properly and it should only be necessary to perform the repair once.

After 1997, Ford has offered only 1 automatic transmission for the regular F-150. If you have a Lightning or the 7,700 package, the heavy-duty 4R100 is standard.

The problem is that outside of the Lightning and the 7,700 lb payload package, you can only get the 4R70W if you get an automatic. For reference: the 4R70W transmission is also used in the little V6 Mustang. It's is not a truck transmission and if pushed, it will fail.

There have been many reported 4R70W transmission failures lately from SuperCrew owners with the 5.4L engine. I believe this is a direct result of asking a light-duty transmission to transfer the massive torque of the 5.4L engine to a 9.75 rear end and down to the wheels to push a heavy, full-size, 4X4 truck. The 4R70W is the weakest link.

I don't know how much your trailer weights, but the 4.6L has not had a single common problem. In fact, I've not heard a single complaint about the 4.6L. A SuperCab 4.6L 4X4 F-150 with the 139" Wheelbase is a truly beautiful truck

You may need to do a little more research and consider looking into an F250. There is a very good diesel available and the F250 also has an indestructable differential. It may even be available with the 4R100 automatic, but I'm personally more familiar with the F-150.

When it come to ergonomics: Ford doesn't really have any competition. All F-Series trucks feel great to drive.

 

Don't sell your Chev. Especially to buy a Ford.

Check-out the new Chev's first.

you might as well go buy a toyota, if your thinking about a ford.

Your chevy can't be touched by anything ford has out there.

 

FOUNDONROADDEAD

you are a complete moran. Everytime someone says something about fords you have a stupid comment to add. Get a life or get out.

BTW, the lightning is faster/better then anything that is offered by chevy.

 

Ok GAS,
I can take a little ribbing, obviously you can't
Your personal attack proves that.

I hope a mod has some ***** and slaps your limp wrist.

WHINNER, boo hoo, theres a chev guy here thats hurting my feelings, I have a two year old that does less whinning than you.

 

FOUNDONROADDEAD:

GASGUZZLER007 made a good point that maybe you missed.
A FORD (stock) lighting can put a major woop *** on any (stock) chevy you can put against it.

I know for you poor chevy guys that is a heart break, but hey thats why they made Kleenex....

 

Top 10 reasons to own a CHEVY:

1. Great gas mileage – (because its rarely on the road)

2. Very Consistent – (on needing repairs)

3. Only 1 oil change a year – (its lucky if it sees more then 3,000 miles on the road a year)

4. Quantity auto parts discounts – (you’ll always be buying A LOT of parts)

5. Towing discounts – (if your lucky the tow truck driver might let you ride in his Ford)

6. Environmentally friendly – (because its usually on jacks and not running)

7. Frequent family gatherings – (at the parts store with fellow brother Chevy owners)

8. Very inexpensive vacations – (its cheap staying at home since you cant drive anywhere)

9. Semi-permanent guest room – (the truck bed sleeps two if needed)

10. High tech. Security system – (who’s going to steal something on jacks that don’t run)

Got Kleenex...

 

yeah Yeah, ok.

Keep your little lightning, (should be called little spark).

Anyways, I though we talking trucks.

 

Found (troll) ... your post have been so enlightening that we have all seen the error of my ways and will be getting rid of our Fords and getting Chebies... LOL

Thanks for sharing your wisdom.. I do not think this forum could survive without you... Maybe you should disappear and make us suffer...

 

Oh you ford guys are some sensitive, I hope thats not because you think you made a bad purchase?

 

"FOUNDONROADDEAD yeah Yeah, ok.

Keep your little lightning, (should be called little spark).

Anyways, I though we talking trucks."

We are talking trucks. A lighting is a Ford F150. The F150 is part of Fords truck line, there are F250, F350 etc.

A little spark???? Call it what you will, but man it puts a WOOP *** over any big spark chevy you can find that dares to even think about going against it.

I feel for you FOUNDONROADDEAD, you feel bad about owning such a poorly designed truck, that perhaps you feel as though you have lost some of your manhood. I understand that hanging out with the BIG BOY, (Ford truck owners) will help you gain back some of your manhood. So I think it's cool if you want to hang with us.

Once you get done paying off your lose of an investment being on this board will help you to get a manly truck, a tough truck, not a touchy feeling female truck (heartbeat). You may want to take small steps first, buy a Toyota, then a Dodge, then it won't be to big of a move going up to a Ford. Sometimes the jump from a Chevy straight to a Ford is a bit hard and can be intimadating, but hang with us and we can help with that.

Have a good time on the board little fellow hanging with us BIG BOYS...

Another suggestion is if you would like to leave a mailing address someone on the board may know a Kleenex distributor that may be able to provide you a discount on large purchases of Kleenex to wipe your tears away everytime a Ford drives by you and you think to yourself "How could of I been so naive and bought this piece of crap, when I could of owned a manly truck, a Ford"

Don't worry little buddy, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, with a Ford you will get to the light quick, even more so with a Lighting, with a Chevy, well it takes a little longer walking, but you will get there....