I'm pretty much done with Ford Trucks.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 186
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From: Pennsylvania
ball joints?
Dear Weck You had to replace the ball joints at least 3 times with that many miles. Every Ford Truck I look at, i can see the ball joints are worn out, with the bottom of the front tires pointed out. looking like the tires are going to fall off. My personal opinion is I don't think Ford makes the ball joints heavy enough.
Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11
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From: Columbia, TN
Washout's washout...
I just made another post about the demise of my Ford truck ~ with some sadness and a bit of reflection. Its always said that if you want to see what's really happening, one should look in the mirror, right?
But when you look in the mirror, don't you see the exact opposite?
My 1987 F150 (302 FI, A/T) reached her (some would say timely, I say untimely) demise at 293,631 miles. Yeah, Washout, oil leaks and all. But you know guys, even after all the bantering and bragging about 'never having the heads off,' she still kept up with the big boys all the way down the line. She never smoked, never sputtered, and I'll be @#$%ed, she never 'broke' anything at all - come to think of it. Sure, things began to wear out, but I never had a major spill, leak or disaster. She always started, always ran, and towed like there was no tomorrow.
As a matter of fact, at 230,000 (appx), I had to have the tranny rebuilt. I hadn't much thought about it, but that was the first time the engine and tranny had been separated since the factory! The tranny shop even told me they found the dipstick 'plug' in the pan when they opened it up.
So much for Washout's poor experience. Mine more than covers it.
"Built FORD tough!"
But when you look in the mirror, don't you see the exact opposite?
My 1987 F150 (302 FI, A/T) reached her (some would say timely, I say untimely) demise at 293,631 miles. Yeah, Washout, oil leaks and all. But you know guys, even after all the bantering and bragging about 'never having the heads off,' she still kept up with the big boys all the way down the line. She never smoked, never sputtered, and I'll be @#$%ed, she never 'broke' anything at all - come to think of it. Sure, things began to wear out, but I never had a major spill, leak or disaster. She always started, always ran, and towed like there was no tomorrow.
As a matter of fact, at 230,000 (appx), I had to have the tranny rebuilt. I hadn't much thought about it, but that was the first time the engine and tranny had been separated since the factory! The tranny shop even told me they found the dipstick 'plug' in the pan when they opened it up.
So much for Washout's poor experience. Mine more than covers it.
"Built FORD tough!"
Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Dallas,Texas
Dodges
My wife bought a brand new 98' Dodge ram 360 auto slt. Water is #7 Cylinder with 90k on it. AC did not work. We traded it in on a Explorer in 2001.
My Sister bought a brand new 2000 Durango. Freeze plugs rusted out...(That is what they told her). AC did not work. She traded it in on a jap car in 2003.
My stepdad brought a brand new 1998 Dakota. Tranny and AC done for within 3 years. He is a mechcanic and a Mopar freak.
My friend bought a brand 95 Ram 3 trannies and the AC has been repaired several times.
Chevys
My surfing buddy owns a 99' Tahoe. Transfer case, tranny has been rebuilt and the brakes never worked right. AC been repaired several times.
Co-worker's 2002 Tahoe AC is broke.
Co-worker's 1999 Suburn tranny rebuilt at 40k.
My Fords pass and present
1985 e150 351 4bbl auto conversion van. 150k no problems with motor/tranny/AC.
1995 f150 rc 300 5sp. 215k plus replaced the alternator.
1999 f150 rc 4.2 5sp 92k..no problems.
1998 f150 sc 4.6 auto just bought had to replace plugs and wires and one O2 sensor. 102k.
1999 Explorer(wife's car) bought it with 36k has 90k and everything works. No problems.
I thrash vehicles. I hit the governor in my 99 f150 everyday
on my way to work. I got 265 75 16 on it so I going pretty fast and that is in 4th.
My wife bought a brand new 98' Dodge ram 360 auto slt. Water is #7 Cylinder with 90k on it. AC did not work. We traded it in on a Explorer in 2001.
My Sister bought a brand new 2000 Durango. Freeze plugs rusted out...(That is what they told her). AC did not work. She traded it in on a jap car in 2003.
My stepdad brought a brand new 1998 Dakota. Tranny and AC done for within 3 years. He is a mechcanic and a Mopar freak.
My friend bought a brand 95 Ram 3 trannies and the AC has been repaired several times.
Chevys
My surfing buddy owns a 99' Tahoe. Transfer case, tranny has been rebuilt and the brakes never worked right. AC been repaired several times.
Co-worker's 2002 Tahoe AC is broke.
Co-worker's 1999 Suburn tranny rebuilt at 40k.
My Fords pass and present
1985 e150 351 4bbl auto conversion van. 150k no problems with motor/tranny/AC.
1995 f150 rc 300 5sp. 215k plus replaced the alternator.
1999 f150 rc 4.2 5sp 92k..no problems.
1998 f150 sc 4.6 auto just bought had to replace plugs and wires and one O2 sensor. 102k.
1999 Explorer(wife's car) bought it with 36k has 90k and everything works. No problems.
I thrash vehicles. I hit the governor in my 99 f150 everyday
on my way to work. I got 265 75 16 on it so I going pretty fast and that is in 4th.
Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Dallas,Texas
Buckdropper sounds like your friend had good luck with his Dodge.
I never have heard anything good about Dodges. Chevy seems to be little better, but I believe that due to Chevy drivers are typically loyal to Chevy. My buddy with the 99' two door 4x4 Tahoe will rant and rave about how great the truck is and Chevy. I known what has been done to the truck and he lies to others do not know better. His is making noises about a Powerstoke F350 now. We have been in my trucks (99'&95') from Austin to Corpus with it wide open from San Antonio to Corpus on 37 40+ times. It changed his mind.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 3
From: Houston, by way of every major city in America.
I have an 86 ramcharger with a 360/727/Quadrajet. The odometer had stopped at 18,960 when the speedo cable broke, probably 118k. It has since been fixed. It runs smoothly, has a lot of power for an 80's vacuum line monster, and starts on the first turn of the engine. My 98 150 has never done that. It's not a perfect vehicle since it received not so good maintenance for most of it's life, but the AC blows cold. It can even break the tires loose with the 3:21 LS 9.25 rear axle. So there, now you can say you've heard good things about at least one Dodge, lol.,,,,98
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
Washout; I know how you feel, I had a ford tarus that I swore I would never own another ford. I am glad I never kept that promis. My current 2000 f150 is another excelent truck. I've owned a few different vehicles and some are better than others. don't rule out anything.
1963 Falcon futura; race car from 1965-1967, restored in 1977
92,000 mi. owned since new, great car!
1972 F250; bought used (service truck)
240,000 mi. when it hit a cow, great truck.
1979 F250; bought from father in law, with 26,000 mi.
five engins later (460's) I gave up at 183,000 mi. junk yard
1985 Thunderbird; bought used, new alternator at 185,000 mi.
Parked in ditch at 205,000 mi. Traded for Taurus
1998 Taurus; New,hood latch replaced under warrenty, rack and
pinion replaced twice under warenty. Rack and pinion replaced
at my expence once, transmisson went out at 42,000, traded for a Honda
2000 F150; slightly used, 1 rusty bumper, recall for cruse control, both taken care of by ford
46,000 mi. great truck!
1963 Falcon futura; race car from 1965-1967, restored in 1977
92,000 mi. owned since new, great car!
1972 F250; bought used (service truck)
240,000 mi. when it hit a cow, great truck.
1979 F250; bought from father in law, with 26,000 mi.
five engins later (460's) I gave up at 183,000 mi. junk yard
1985 Thunderbird; bought used, new alternator at 185,000 mi.
Parked in ditch at 205,000 mi. Traded for Taurus
1998 Taurus; New,hood latch replaced under warrenty, rack and
pinion replaced twice under warenty. Rack and pinion replaced
at my expence once, transmisson went out at 42,000, traded for a Honda
2000 F150; slightly used, 1 rusty bumper, recall for cruse control, both taken care of by ford
46,000 mi. great truck!
Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12
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i literally beat the **** out of my 97, 5.4 liter not to mention the continuos strain it has on all components running 35 14.50 swamper boggers that hit they mud everyday it has 120k and runs like a raped ape yes all makes have problems but in my oppinion u need to deeper investigate your dealer garage they sound like the problem to me
FORD FOR LIFE
FORD FOR LIFE
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 324
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From: Long Island
My dad has an 87 f-150 xlt lariat 2wd short bed with 375k. He is the original owner. Besides the regular stuff that goes over time (ex. brakes, tires, muffler) the only thing he replaced was the radiator and had a part replaced in the tranny ..The truck is still going strong. Before that he had a 1970 f-100 that had well over 200k..Once again no major problems. As for me , i have a 1992 Bronco with 108k ..Never a drivetrain problem and no major parts replaced....Once again this is just a testimonial to how far superior Ford Trucks are....
Next up 05 FX4 screw...(hopefully order it next week)
Next up 05 FX4 screw...(hopefully order it next week)
Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 37
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Originally Posted by Washout
Bad luck? Possibly. I bought the truck brand new in 99 from the Ford dealer. All work was done by Ford or a Ford dealer. It was never taken to anyone else. 3 major engine leaks? 3 times... Three! Doesn't sound like bad luck. Just bad engine manuf.
I know that the dealer ship where I bought it, was replacing 5 engines a week for several months . That's not bad luck. That's just bad. I don't tow anything heavy. I'm not heavy footed. I drive more conservative that others. The body is in perfect condition. I took really good care of that truck. Changed the oil regularly and didn't use cheap gas. Maybe I should have slapped the b**** around a bit.
I'm not buying Chevy either. I had a Camaro that had major problems too. I have Toyotas, BMWs, and VW's that didn't have as many problems as I've had with American made cars/trucks.
The reason I came here was because I always came here. I read a lot of the posts on this website. There is a lot of good information that I could use in trying to work with Ford to resolve these issues. I didn't get upset when I had the first oil leak. I just took it in thinking it could get fixed. But it's been 4 years and have loose the truck for a month at at time to get these repairs done and not having it repaired for any length of time has pissed me off.
When it gets that bad, it's time to cut the truck loose before I have to make a 4-5k payment to fix another major oil leak when the warranty runs out.
Would some of you actually keep my truck? You know it's had 3 major engine leaks, and has been rebuilt/swapped that many times and your warranty is about to run out? Would you?
I know that the dealer ship where I bought it, was replacing 5 engines a week for several months . That's not bad luck. That's just bad. I don't tow anything heavy. I'm not heavy footed. I drive more conservative that others. The body is in perfect condition. I took really good care of that truck. Changed the oil regularly and didn't use cheap gas. Maybe I should have slapped the b**** around a bit.
I'm not buying Chevy either. I had a Camaro that had major problems too. I have Toyotas, BMWs, and VW's that didn't have as many problems as I've had with American made cars/trucks.
The reason I came here was because I always came here. I read a lot of the posts on this website. There is a lot of good information that I could use in trying to work with Ford to resolve these issues. I didn't get upset when I had the first oil leak. I just took it in thinking it could get fixed. But it's been 4 years and have loose the truck for a month at at time to get these repairs done and not having it repaired for any length of time has pissed me off.
When it gets that bad, it's time to cut the truck loose before I have to make a 4-5k payment to fix another major oil leak when the warranty runs out.
Would some of you actually keep my truck? You know it's had 3 major engine leaks, and has been rebuilt/swapped that many times and your warranty is about to run out? Would you?
All I can think of is it must be something you are doing that is quite different than everyone else. It is very odd to have as much trouble as you have had with every car or truck you have ever owned. What brand and type of oil & oil filter do you use? Who does your oil changes/service? You might want to look in that direction. I find it hard to believe that Consumer Reports lists Ford F-150 as "Recommened," while Chevy (96-02) & Dodge (96-00) as used trucks to "avoid." Ward's also rates the 5.4L as one of the 10 best. Something just doesn't add up here.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8
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Every auto manufacture has there problems. All I can say is buy a chevy and see how you like it. I would rather have a leak anyday than a new truck in the shop for a month with a trans issue they cant figure out. I got it figured out, I traded it for a Ford. Best thing I have ever did other than my divorce.............. Just my 2 cents