Trying to get a fix on how long some of the parts last. My friend got 500K out of his '01 5.4 and told me to expect a fuel pump around 120K and an alternator around 135K... so far he's been dead on. Just wondering if anyone has a feel for things like power steering pump, air conditioner compressor, water pump, oil pump.

 

The 5.4l 2v v8's are pretty stout engines.

The power steering pump can last longer if you swap the fluid in it, and the water pump and associated components (heater core, radiator, hoses) will tend to last longer if the coolant is changed often.

Air Conditioner compressors are one of those things that can go at anytime. I had mine go on my truck at 8k on the clock.

Alternators you can get better life as long as you aren't stressing them trying to keep a battery that has seen better days charged. So keeping a good battery in your truck can make the alternator last longer.

At the end of the day, sometimes you can change the fluid until you are blue in the face, and a component will go. Such is life.

 

Thanks ManualF150. Interesting comment about a battery stressing the alternator. When my idiot light came on first place I stopped was Autozone, but the battery checked good. Had to replace the alternator but low and behold... my on the highway gas mileage improved! Went from ~18 to ~19 (still haven't figured that one out but I'll take it).

 

http://www.millionmilevan.com/

1.3 million miles out of a 5.4 in a 97 E-van.

 

The 2v motors are my favorite. Simple, reliable and stout.

I use to change my battery every 4 years no matter what. I lived up in the Colorado mountains and just didn't want to deal with a dead battery during winter.

218k and still on the original alternator so there might be something to that.