Hey guys... I've had my 1998 4.2 litre for over six years and its been really reliable until now.

I've invested lots of money this year and expect that there will be more maintenance going forward. Hoping to get a little feedback regarding what I should expect as typical future repairs.

Here is what I've done in maintenance over six years:
Tires (2 sets)
Front Brakes (rotors and pads)
Battery
alternator
2 qty freeze plugs
Trans fluid filter and fluid change
Differential fluid change
Differential carrier bearings
Differential pinion bearings
serpentine belt
PCV Valve and Hoses
AC blower resister
spark plugs and wires
fuel filter
front wheel bearings
rear wheel bearings
gear selector cable

most of the work has been done over the past 14 months... any common items I should be prepared for?

Definitely plan to keep the truck. She's gorgeous, reliable and I want to keep her going as long as possible.

 

Forgot to mention current work.... LoL

Right now I'm replacing the following:

Pass side power window motor
upper and lower ball joints (both sides)
upper control arm (both sides)
Inner tie rods (both sides)

thanks in advance

 

You forgot shocks.

Welcome to the forum FNG.

 

yes shocks were needed 8 years ago

as far as leafs, coils, and main suspension components they should be fine unless they get cracked.

You might need pitman arm, or idler arm soon

also why did you replace the carrier and pinion bearings? did you think you needed them or did a ford tech tell you?

 

I had a serious howl in the diff and the pinion/carrier bearings were part of the solution to fix it.... it did work, no more howl... was it needed? Thats what my mechanic said :o

I thought about the shocks, but not in the budget right now. the various parts I'm replacing right now appeared to be in the worst shape. Seriously... when should the shocks be swapped for new?

Thanks for the replies!

 

most people do 3y 50k on factory shocks. Typically aftermarket shocks last twice that.

I was just wondering, sounds like your mechanic knows his stuff, i was just asking b.c its not a typical "routine maintance" to replace those bearings

 

My mechanic is really trustworthy... I don't mind paying to have him do the work... no time, no garage, no patience

Hard to tell what the previous owner hauled around in the four years prior to me. Most definitely the reason for the bearings being worn is my guess

I'll definitely put shocks on the top of the list for the next few months.

Thanks again

 

Well.. just picked up the truck. All I can say is R-I-G-I-D!

Steering is tight and the front is stiff again... definitely saved my BFG's from abnormal wear.

btw... shocks look fine, but I'm still gonna save up for new ones.

 

Wow! You call that reliable? No offence, but a truck needing that amount of work that belonged to me, would have been down the road a long time ago. I was just disgusted by my 2004 Ranger needing lower Ball Joints at 43k miles!!! When I asked about the track record of other trucks, they said they have seen Rangers need ball joints at 15K, and the F series trucks are even worse in some cases!!!!!

Ford needs a little beefing up it sounds like to me. We are buying trucks not a Ford Focus!!!

 

I would agree normally, but my truck has 110,000 miles, ten years old and the repairs have been minimal until the last year or so.

Averages out to be less than 1000 dollars a year to maintain to date. not too bad IMHO......

I've had other vehicles (which will remain unnamed) that cost me three times that each year....Those cars were expediently sold

Overall its been a good truck, no complaints here.

 

I didn't realize that part......Sorry.