I'm about to buy a used 97 Lariat -- 4.6L, 4x4, XCab, off-road, tow-pkg + extras. I'm just wondering if there are any gotchas I should know about. Thx.

 

Trout, I have the same truck your looking to purchase. I live in colorado springs, if I had to do it over i would diffinately get the 5.4 . My 4.6 is a total dog at these elavations, even with all my engine mods, bad gas milage too. Make sure what ever you get has 3.73 or 4.10 gears. Other than that the truck is great, no problems.

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97' F150 Lariat S/C long bed 4x4 3:55LS 4.6L auto...SuperChip, Air Raid, 40 series Flowmaster cat back.
Colorado Springs, CO

 

The only problems I've heard of with the 4.6 are. Problems with spark plug wires flashing over (leaking spark) in the spark plug wells. The plug wires have been revised by Ford a number of times. Though my truck has about 200,000 miles, I think it still has original wires, and it still runs fine.

Also on occasion, you will see 4.6's in cars smoke at start-up, and on decelleration. This is caused by valve seals that leak oil down the valve. I've yet to see this on a truck, though I think the design is the same.

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97 XLT S/C Long Bed 2wd, 4.6 Romeo, 4R70W Trans., 3.55 LS, 195,000 miles

 

Ditto on the problems Bent6 noted. I too have the original wires and no problems to date. If someone ever sees a truck smoke like the Crown Vic's, I'd sure like to hear about it! Still haven't seen one! While I don't live in Colorado or have a 4x4, I did go to school out there (Go Rams!) and I did notice a small loss of power, my truck was definitely not a dog! Not a top drag racer either, but that's not why I bought it. Good luck!

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1997 F150 XLT, Flareside , Moonlight Blue, 4x2, SC, Auto, 4.6L, 3:08, Cargo Cover by Century, Penda bed liner, Blue Oval reciever hitch plug, Driver Design bug deflector, Monroe Reflex Shocks, 235/70/16 Firestone Wilderness AT's, sliding rear window, captain's chairs, Valvoline Durablend Oil, Purolator Pure One Oil Filter, and 112,000 miles and counting!

 

coloradotrout,
I got mine new. The only prob I've had was tyanny fluid causing a "shudder". The 4.6 runs great but my next will be a 5.4. It's at 61K now & no trouble. See the minor mods below.

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97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-K&N-3"
pvc air box mod-Granetelli MAF

 

After spending the day cutting and hauling wood back home about 2 weeks ago, the next morning I started the truck up and blue smoke out the exhaust. Big cloud of it, as much as my cr250 when I start it up! i was like oh my!

Moved the truck out of the drive way and it keep doing it for about 5 minutes. after that, it has not done it since.

1997 4.6 with 67K.

 

Hi Coloradotrout:

I believe there was Piston Slap issue with the early 4.6L powerplants made at the Windsor plant.

Wilk

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'97 F-150 4x4 Super Cab; XLT 139" Wheelbase Flairside; Silver Frost Clearcoat; 4.6L. (Romeo); 4-spd Automatic Transmission; Preferred Equipment Package 507A; 3.55 Limited Slip Axle; Electronic Shift 4x4; California Emissions; Sliding Rear Window; Trailer Towing Package; Off-Road Package; 6-Way Power Driver's Seat; Remote Keyless Entry/Anti Theft; 6-Disc CD Changer; Ford Bedliner; Ford Running Boards; Ford Nose Mask; Roll n Lock Tonneau Cover.

2000 SVT F-150 LIGHTNING XLT; 120" Wheelbase; Flareside; 5.4L EFI SOHC V8 SC Engine; 4-SPD Automatic; Silver Clearcoat Metallic; SVT Online Store Lightning Front End Mask; Roll n Lock Tonneau Cover.

 

I've got 86,000 miles on mine, and not a problem. My brother in law has the same truck -minus the off road package- he's got 133,000 on his with no problems. Good trucks Bro!

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'97 Ford SC 4X4 XLT Off Road pkg., 4.6,A/OD, 3:55, premium sound w/CD chg, Black clct,towing pkg., hvy duty elec. pkg., Bridestone dueler AT's, line X, Flowmaster true duals, chip, K&N air filter, westin black painted (custom) nerf bars, 5th wheel diamond plate alum. Delta box.

 

I don't have a 4X4 but my 97 with 4.6 auto still makes me smile when I romp down on the throttle. No problems in 44K. I tow a small enclosed trailer once a month to the race track full with motorcycles and gear. I have to watch it because more than often while towing my trailer I'm going over 85 mph up hills. I love looking over at everyone else slowing down when we are climbing big hills, they look over at me as I'm passing them and they see all the gear in the bed of my truck and the trailer I'm towing.

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F150IslandBoy
1997 F150 Lariat
SuperCab, Toreador Red w/ Gold, Styleside, 4.6L, A/T, A/C, 3.55 3800 Limited Slip, Class 3 Tow Package, Leather Captain Seats, Sliding Rear Window.
Modifications:
Airaid FIPK, Flowmaster Delta Flow 50 Series, Bugflector II, Viper 500ESP Alarm, Pendaliner Bedliner, Cobra Trapshooter 3 Radar Detector, CARR Tubular Nerf Bars, Ventshade Ventvisors, Ventshade Taillight Covers, NFA 1400 Compact 55W=>85W Halogen O.E. Lights, Durango 255/70R16, Chrome eyelet tie downs, Smoked front lic. plate cover.

 

No problems with the '97 4.6L engine that I can think of. I've said it before. The 4.6L Triton engine is as bullet proof an engine as you can get these days.

There are some recalls that you should check to see if they were done on the truck you're looking at.

The rear leaf springs need retaining clips installed to keep the springs from (for lack of a better description) twisting apart. There was also a recall on the lug nuts. The original lug nuts were falling off. The new lug nuts are black, I believe. Check with a dealer to be sure. There was also a recall to secure the shift cable in the automatic tranny models.

Another thing Ford did was to replace the stock exhaust system. The exhaust was moved from the front of the rear wheel to the back of it. The rear wheel was experiencing a corrosion problem, especially in cold areas of the country. Not sure if you can still get it done for free, but worth a call to a Ford dealer.

Finally, be careful what kind of floor mats you get for the front driver's side. The '97 gas pedal tended to get stuck on some floor mats if you mashed it to the floor.



[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited 10-17-2000).]

 

I've got a 97 2 wheel drive. No engine problems, though if you plan to haul a 'heavy' load or 'heavy' trailer, it might be a little short in that area. There was at least one additional recall, throttle cable placement, could hang in cold weather.

Dennis, I though the wheel recall was a retainer clip left on the studs, that when the lugnuts were tightened on the mag wheels, it could crack them. Recall was to remove the retainer clips from the studs. I don't remember seeing anything on lugnuts?

Biggest issues I've seen lately are 1) door cracks 2)Cracking or spidering on paint - primarily on the top 3) rust on door bottom and tailgate and 4) leaking rear sliders. I've got the door crack, none of the others.

Like my truck, hate the cracks.

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97 XLT Extended Cab 4X2, Northland Edition Short Box. Dark Toreador Red & Saddle Tan Accent. Tan Interior. 4.6L V8, 4-Spd Automatic. 3.55 Limited Slip differential, ABS, Factory Mag Wheels, Factory Bedliner, Non-Leaking Sliding Rear Window, Trailer Towing Package, LeBra Tonneau, Ziebarted, with Repaired Crack in the drivers door - appears to be cracking again.

 

HCBPH,

The lug nut recall was to actually replace the original lug nuts with new ones. The old ones were coming loose and trucks were losing their wheels. The fix while waiting for the new lug nuts (I guess it took a while to manufacture millions of the new lug nuts) was to torque down the wheels to something like 150 ft. lbs. of torque. Maybe it was 115?

Anyway, if the truck has been to the dealer for regular servicing, they should have replaced the lug nuts. Worth a check, though. I *think* the new lugs are black and the old ones are "silver."

 

I do have the paint crack on the top rain gutters.. both sides..

Any remedy.. just planning on keeping it well waxed..

The biggest PITA now is the intermittent 3-2 code from the airbag light. Sometimes it flashes 3-2, then goes solid, but then sometimes it's off (as it should be!)
The dealer wants $35 to "look". I'm planning to take it to a friends Ford mechanic for a general "used car" inspection and if get his 2 cetns.

 

I have 49,300 miles now. A little static in the radio from the wires, several recalls including a new one involving a fuel line rubbing on something and may leak and cause fire (have not got this looked at yet)
I do have door cracks. Unless you tow, the 4.6 will be fine.


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1997 f150 xlt black extended cab 4.6, 4x2
mercon v, k&n filter
load lok liner.
future plans--- 17 inch rims and tires

 

I really like my truck. Looks goood and runs good. Holds up well (I have had no more than a few problems) and it does a decent job pulling my 20' travel trailer, wife, two dogs, exta water, wood, beer and whatever else my wife brings when we are camping.

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97 F-150 4.6 auto, 4x2, 3.55 LS, WMS Velocity tube, Dynomax Super Turbo exhaust with Echo tube.
Oh yeah, it's Oxford White with crome wheels, Legacy shell & custom grill!