4.6 or 5.4?

I'm looking at trucks right at 10K with anywhere from 80,000 miles to 178,000. Anything to stay away from? I used to have a 98 scab longbox with the 4.6 and it was great. I bought it used with 40,000 miles and sold it when i had 66,000 miles on it. I traded it for a 01 roush stage 3. Now im looking for a truck that can tow a light drift boat and do some minor 4 wheel driving.

Is 178,000 miles on a 5.4 too much? How long do these motors last?

Thanks in advance!

 

At 178k it is not the engine you need to worry about. How is the front end? Ball joints etc.... Regular service done? Some of 99s had head gasket leaks. My 99 5.4 engine has it. No biggie just a quart of oil every week or so.

JMC

 

One I found is a 2001 screw as they call them with 178,000 miles - 1 owner, the State of Washington. Any thoughts on that?

 

Any maintenance records available?

 

You can do a purchase check if you are worried about what shape the car is in. We do it ALL the time here at our shop and charge $60 to do a full inspection on any and every critical (and not so critical) part. Before you buy the car, ask the owner if you two can go down to your local mechanic and have it checked out. Any serious seller shouldn't mind (if he took care of it). Good luck!!

 

I had a 99 heavy half with the 5.4. It also started to leak oil and ford replaced the entire motor. They said it had warped heads. It was a very good truck other than that. I bought it new had the problems around 20,000, and kept it until it had 70,000.
I also did light hauling and when they gave me a loner truck it had the 4.6, I donot think you will be happy with it. It is kind of a dog when you try to make it work. good luck with your choice.

 

I'm definetely going for a super crew, wife said we need the room. I have a 9 yr old, 5 and 3 yr old. I dunno is a Super-cab really big enough for us? Problem is the only supercrew around for my budget has 178,000 miles on it.

 

Here is one I'm looking at:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true

 

If i were you i would keep looking, thats alot of miles. And if you are thinking about the 4.6 in a screw, it WILL be a dog!

 

[QUOTE=I.C.Light]If i were you i would keep looking, thats alot of miles. And if you are thinking about the 4.6 in a screw, it WILL be a dog![/QUOTE

Agreed that would not be a wise investment. If it was a 5.4 then you could offer them $8000. If they didn't take it go elswhere. You will not be pleased with a 4.6 Screw

 

It says its a 5.4L

 

I understand, But maybe I was hard to understand. If you dont get that truck dont look at any screws with a 4.6. Whatever you get I hope it works out for you.

 

Anything in particular I should look for when I go to test drive it?

 

The only thing I can think of on these trucks is the oil leaking from the heads and also pay attention to the steering play.

 

wow prices are high in your area for trucks with 2/3 of their life gone!

have you thought about buying one in another state? a 2001 w/100k or less would go for that price around here or much less.