My 97 F150 4x4 OFFROAD with the 4.6 just rolled up 250,000 fairly trouble free miles, a tranny rebuild at 215,000 has been the most major issue, engine has never been touched except for plugs, wires, belts, and alternator.
My question,is there anything special I need to do at this time? The truck runs perfect, can't hardly hear it running at idle, it makes a weekly trip from Bristol TN to Raleigh NC and back, uses a little oil at sustained highway speeds, it looks as good as ever, I am meticilous about keeping it clean and doing maintence, if something needs fixed I do it right away, when a front wheel bearing unit need replaced I changed both, figured one had been as far as the other.
Anyway these are fantastic vehicles and I am expecting another 100,000 miles.

 

Sounds like you need to keep doing what you are doing, take care of it and make it last.

 

Agreed. Sounds like you just need to keep at what you are doing.

 

flush or change:
coolant
axles/diffs
trans
lube door latches/hinges
grease/inspect/replace Ujoints

How's the front end looking? Balljoints, idler arms etc?

 

Front end is tight, jan 2010 a lower ball joint started groaning, had both replaced, again one had been as far as the other, have done a complete fluid flush twice, last month had some brake issues, replaced front hoses, calipers, rotors, pads, drums, shoes, did wheel cylinders and axle seals.
I know that might have been a little overkill but will have no issues for a long time in the brake department, the folks at Empire Ford even commented on how nice a truck it was and these folks are a little jaded when it comes to vehicles seeing so many every day.
The service writed did say she had a few customers with these " Heritage Series" trucks doing so well, I have never heard this before, any thoughts? also it is a Canadian built truck, has a block heater from factory, also a first for me.
Do these engines have cam belts or gears?

 

The cams are chain driven.