While I love the performance of my Lightning when its running, I'm really starting to think that Ford F-150s are really only good for the first 20K miles.

I had an '86 ranger that I bought used and abused. The thing ran great. Slow, but solid. In 1997, I traded it in on an F-150 4x4 V6. I drove it happily until just shy of 20K miles when it bent a rod and caused $2500 worth of engine damage (thank god for warranties). This happened on the highway at 70mph while following my parents.

After repairs, I traded it on a '99 Lightning which ran like a charm until the intercooler started to go. Since then, I have had about a 2:1 drive-time ratio on it. For every two days I drive it, it spends one in the shop.

 

bobb,
Good observation but LQ got outed last night. He is the infamous BADASSSVT.

 

Okay, so I'm gonna say up front I'm just a little biased, aside from being on the payroll, I'm a Blue Oval Brat, too, second generation. That said, I'm on my 16th Ford and I've pretty much loved them all, including the '71 Pinto with the 351 in it. (don't even ask, but I was 17 and it was fun at the time) From the 1951 F-1 (still have and runs great) to the '00 Lightning, never had many problems except a Mach 1, 351C that liked to eat distributer drive gears. Gotta love them Fords.