Hey guys,

I searched but didn't find what I wanted so I thought that I would ask. I'm in the market for an F-150 and there are a couple that I am looking at. My budget does not allow for the truck that I want, so I am looking at ones with higher mileage. The question I have is with the reliabilty of the automatics in these trucks? I've only owned one automatic in my life and I got lucky with it.

One of the trucks that I am looking at is a 99 4x4 XL with the 5-speed manual in it, with 91,000 miles. My mom has this exact truck same mileage with no problems. The only thing about it is it's about a two hour drive away and I do not have time to go look at it for another week.

The other truck is a 2002 4x4 XLT, automatic with 107,000 miles. I'm leary about getting the auto because if it goes out I know that it's about $1200 to have one rebuilt. The only thing about this truck over the 99 is that it has all the little comforts. PW, PDL, things like that and it's right here in town.

Just wanted to ask what are you folks with the auto getting mileage wise (how many miles on your truck)? And how reliable is the auto? I won't tow that much, 20' boat every once in awhile and maybe a car once a month. Thanks.

Shaun

 

No one can help me?

 

Well, I'd opt for a 5-speed if I had my 'druthers, because I prefer it to an automatic, but my new-to-me '99 has 210K on it, and to my knowledge has never had a trans problem (according to service records and the PO). I'm planning a trans cooler and a new separator plate (to improve shift firmness) as insurance for the future.

Andy (knocking on wood)

 

Yeah. One of the ones that I am looking at has 99,000 miles on it. But it has the tow package. If I get one with an auto I will deffinatly get a bigger trans cooler and a larger pan for the tranny. I'm about to start Grad School and don't need anything that I am going to have to worry about fixing. Thanks for the reply.

 

Just as an FYI, if you are planning to tow, the tow rating from Ford for the manual transmission F150s is much lower. Something like 2-3k max for manual and around 7k max for automatic. There are many explanations as to why, but I have not heard or seen official from Ford as to why.

 

That's something I never knew. Wonder if it has something to do with torque multiplication of the converter?

As for the biiger trans pan, Ex88150, I've been told they do little for cooling.

 

I have heard as many reasons as there are days in the week, just nothing official.

 

Ok. Well maybe I'll ditch the bigger pan then. The truck looks nice and looks like it was well taken care of. I'm going to look at it on Sunday. I really miss having a truck.

 

Well, good luck with that! I hope it's exactly what you want!

I have to say, I really like this '99 even more than I thought I would. A few years ago, I had a 2000 Ranger that I sold after only 6 months. I thought I'd learn to live with the under-powered 3.0L V6 and auto trans, and wind/road noise, but just couldn't. Rode nice, and looked great, but I was very disappointed. Bought a well-maintained, recently-painted '88 2.9 5-speed and kept my car as a daily driver, and I was happy.

After we bought our trailer, though, we needed something bigger (and the '88 was starting to rust again and need repairs). I started out loking for a V8 Dakota, because I thought I didn't want a full-size. Found this '99 Lariat 4x4, though, drove it, and bought it the next day. I don't think I could be happier with it. Powerful 5.4, quiet, comfortable.... just great!

Oh, BTW... you might want to look at this thread for info on the cooler I'm going to get.

Andy

 

Thanks for the link. I'll keep an eye on it because this is definantly something that I am going to do if I get an auto.

I had all kinds of trucks when I was young. When I got into Mustangs I sold the last one I had because it wasn't as much fun to drive. Now that I've been without a truck for about 4 years I really miss having one.

 

Have one of those, too!

Andy

 

Crap. That sucks. Oh well, I'll just have to upload them when I get home.

 

Thanks for the kudos. It's a '95. (The PO already had the 96+ lights and I like them a bit better than the horizontal 94-5 version.) Came with a whole buch of mods already (H/C/I, headers, sub-frames and more). Will be doing the suspension this winter.

Unfortunately, I can't see your pics. (No hot-links from Corral.)

Andy

 

I am temped to get a different pan for a drain plug, cooling would be a bonus.

The big reason autos are rated to tow more than manuals is the average person can tow with a auto much better than a manual.

 

Has anyone thought of having the current pan drilled and tapped for a plug, or isn't it possible? (Haven't had mine off to look.)

Andy