I'm new to the Ford Truck world. What problems should I look for in a "new to Me"
97 XLT Extended Cab, 3rd door Long Wheel base with 4.6 v-8 with 50k miles? Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Greg

 

GFM99,
I have the same truck: 2WD 97 XLT S/C LWB w/4.6 Romeo engine and 4R70W Trans. I bought the truck 6 months ago with 165,000 miles on it. It has had a few of the most common problems:leaking rear sliding window, slight start up knock(lots of talk about this here, but i don't think it's a sign of an engine in poor condition), squeeky pitman arm, cacked drivers door 6" above door handle(lots of talk about this too, but it happens in an area thats not prone to rust, so I'll leave it till it gets really bad), and small paint cracks in the channels on the roof. There are/were also a few other small problems with the truck: rust is starting in the seam on the tailgate, alternator needed new bearings, and it had a frozen slide on the RF brake caliper.

My trucks runs super tight, gets 15mpg in the summer(less on winter blend gas), uses one quart of oil about every 2500 miles. I like the truck allot. I feel I'll get at least another 100K miles on it before it needs major work.

 

Thanks for the info. I guess I should have posted in a general forum.I'll know better next time.The paint on my truck seems to be in great shape. I have a small dent the size of a fist on the right side and that's it.I'm coming from an Acura Legend Coupe into this truck so there are things I'm trying to learn about as quickly as possible.
So far I love the truck.Thanks again!

 

Make sure the recalls were done. The most important one is to get the new lug nuts. Second, rear leaf spring clamps.

Other than that, just enjoy your truck.

 

Bent6: Your truck really inspires me. All those miles and only minor problems That's fantastic. Were you able to find out how that truck got so many miles in the first place? It sounds like who ever had it before never let it rest, always driving!!! One of the problems you mentioned; the cracked paint in the channels on the cab...where you able to fix this?? Or do you have any ideas on how to fix this?? I just this past weekend discovered this on my 97 Thanks Oh, a question of coureosity??? How much did you pay for your 97???

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97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers & Clarion APA5240amp, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars

 

Tina,
The trucks was owned by the local electrical union. It was used by a man who supervised the apprentice program. The union sent him to Georga or Alabama (from Chicago) most ever week. At the time I bought it it had only been in service for only 19 months(Wow thats almost 300 miles per day!). He told me this is the third truck he's done this to. Anyhow, the guy retired and they gave him the truck. He's a widower and traded the truck in on a new Chevy as a retirement gift for himself. My bro in law works at the dealer and new I was looking... I paid $8200 for it ,and it is loaded but needed those few small repairs. I have added 10K miles and am really pleased with the truck. My wife is pleased to since since my former rusty, loud, crappy truck really embarased her.

The only real way to fix cracks in paint is to strip the cracked paint. To slow it down, I would Crazy Glue the crack and hit it with touch up paint.

I'm sure the compression is good since it runs great. A better test for engine condition is a leak down test. I have a tester and will be checking a few cylinders when I get around to changing the spark plugs and wires(original I think).

Andrei

 

Interesting story. Keep us up to date on your rig. Interested to know how that baby holds up on ya.

Steve

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99 F150 5.4 4x4 ORP 3.73 styleside deep wedgewood blue ..no mods (yet)

 

165K WOW ! That's what I'm hopin for on mine (at least) What's the general condition of the Engine ? Have you done a compression check ? Curios

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99 F150 5.4 4x4 ORP 3.73 styleside deep wedgewood blue ..no mods (yet)