I want to replace the serpentine belt on my 98 4x4,4.6 w/ac.Has 70,000 miles on it.Who makes the best belts?There all rather expensive,but can get a gates belt for 30.00.

 

I replaced mine at 100,000 miles and I put a napa belt in its place. It still works fine and I have 160,000 miles on it now.

 

I put a gatorback on my 1999 5.4L F150.

Thats one vote for gatorback. Seems like I had to pay around $50 for mine.

 

Gates belts are of excellent quality as are the NAPA and Goodyears.

Any of them will work just fine.

Steve

 

Gatorback. About $35 at Summit Racing.

02 F150 Super Crew Lariat FX4 White & Silver
5.4 /w Roush Cold Air Intake & K&N filter
3.55 LS
Flowmaster Cat Back
JBA Silver Cat4ward Headers
Rancho RSX's
Rancho Steering Stablizer
Hellwig Rear Anti Sway Bar
Lightning Tails
Outland Sport Bumper Guard
Hella 550's
Silverstars
Superchips 9100 Micro Tuner c/o Troyer Performance
Underdrive Pullies c/o Troyer Performance
Mag-Hytec Trans Pan

 

Normally, on parts such as this, and filters and oil and such, name brand isn't all that important to me. However, after having examined the Gatorback belt, and installing one on my truck, I firmly believe that the gator is designed for superior longevity. We'll see.

Joey

 

I have only used one gatorback and it was on a cummins irrigation motor. It didn't last but a few days, and the motor shredded it. To be fair, this engine eats about 1 belt a year anyway. But, I'm sure it will probably be fine on your truck. It doesn't spin 2300 rpm all day and night, and its fan has a clutch on it.

 

Well, a year and 20K+ miles, so far so good.

It appears to me that the material is of better quality than most standard rubber belts and add to that the way the grooves are cross cut makes me think it doesn't hold heat like some others.

I've been wrong before. Just today as a matter of fact.

Joey

 

Ya might still want to change it at 100,000 miles. I doubt that even the best belt will last forever!

 

I just ordered the Gatorback myself.....since adding the Edge programmer and running it on the 91 octane program - It "chirps" the stock belt sometimes between shifts and when you WOT it sometimes......I'd read here that he Gatorback was a "heavy duty" replacement belt and was recommended for trucks with tuners/mods. etc.

 

No doubt, Chester. If it makes it that long. Probably the most simple belt change I've ever done on a vehicle. 10 minutes. And I was in no hurry. Didn't even have to unbolt anything.

 

Yeah, ford has the belt thing figured out!