Hi guys, im a newbie here, but would first like to say that you all make this a really great site. Most of you really know your stuff, very impressive.

Now to business. I have owned a couple of chevys trucks before, and am currently driving a foreign suv. I want to get rid of it and go back with a truck, probably used, 1999 or newer. I have noticed that here at least, the used fords are generally $1000 less than a comparable chevy. I do like how the ford trucks look, and was pretty set on buying one. That was until i found this site and saw all the problems people have with them, it gave me major doubts. So my question is, if I buy a 1999 or 2000 model ford truck,, can I EXPECT it to give me problems? Every time i see one now at a dealership, i think of piston slap, starters, radiators, etc..

Please tell me things i need to look for on a used one, and if 1999 models are especially prone to problems.........

Thanks, sorry for the length, and again great site!

 

Well, let me say that I have not had any of the "common" problems with my F-150 and neither has my wife with her Expy EXCEPT for the rough idle problem. All good to me. I am going to buy another truck (SuperCrew hopefully) when my lease is up. Take a look at our signatures below to get an idea of what we have.

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Steve
Mine:
1999 F-150 Sport Supercab
Bright Red 4.6L Auto
Billet Grill, Billet Ant, Clear Corners, Sony CD Player, Pioneers in all doors, Kicker 100si Amp, MTX preformed underseat box. Fiberglass Bed Cover
Hers:
2000 Expy Sport
Black, Grey Leather 5.4L
Clear Corners, Alpine CD Player, Punch 150 Amp, JL Audio preformed sub box in rear panel.

 

All I've ever owned for trucks have been Fords. From a 72 pick-up to an 84, 88,91 and now a 01 Screw. They were all great trucks with minimal problem. Just regular maintainence and wear items needed to be done. Still have my 91 with 232,000 on it and have put 6000 trouble free miles on the new one in 9 weeks. Look at it this way there are tens of thousands of these trucks built every year. Some problems are bound to come up with some of them. The majority don't have any problems whatsoever. I think Ford makes a great product with great styling. I've looked at and driven Chevey, Dodge,Toyota, Nissan, Lexus,Honda,M.Benz, Ford beats them for what I need.

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01 Kingranch, 4x4, 5.4, Estate Green w/Arizona Beige two tone, Limited slip,Skidplates,Moonroof,Trailer tow, Cargo cage, All the Goodies! Add ons; Bedrug, 9005 Fog lamps.

 

WhenEVER you come to a site like this, you will most likely read about problems with a person's truck. The fact is, the posts you see are problems that are happening to a very very small percentage of the registered users here. The VAST majority of us don't have the kinds of problems that the others are having. Just look at the number of registered users and look at how few are having problems.

Sure, some are having common problems, but they are a minority of the minority who are having problems.

You now know what to look for and what questions to ask after reading our forums. I hope what you read here doesn't turn you off from Ford. It's a great truck. I'm on my third since 1987.

 

could it be the GM/chevy-dodge-"foreign" owners don't tell the whole story. I drive a 2000 suburban company truck that gets a service 4wd lite then won't engage 4wd. The garage tries it under warrenty & it "works great". Probably till 36k.

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97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-Airraid-Perma-cool electric fan & controller

 

Welcome to the boards Romeo.
Here is my opinion. There are all sorts of trucks to choose from these days. I think there will be a few of every make and model that end up having problems. I think if you were to go to the NHTSA web site you would find recall and service bulletins for lots of vehicles. Fords are good trucks. They also are the most affordible. I drive a '98 F150 with the 4.6. I really like this truck.
I guess you could get a good truck from most auto makers. Ford is the number one selling truck for a reason. Value for the money. You have seen what people write when they are having a problem with there Ford truck. There are also alot of very happy Ford truck owners here. I'm one of them.
If you choose a Ford, this place is a good resource.
Good luck.
Tom

 

Romeo,

You will see the same thing if you visit a Chrysler, GM, Toyota or any other site. Most people post problems because they want help in solving the problem. As mentionned this represents a small portion of the total.

Check out the Events & Happenings section to see where we use our trucks. They are quite tough for the abuse they recieve. As coined by Redwing "we beat the ***** out of them all day and then drive them home and they ride as smooth as a car". I am on my 2nd F-150 lease. I own my own business so I shopped arount the Big 3 and Ford has been the best value per $ so far. What are you looking to use the truck for? We can sure point you towards the proper truck for your intended use.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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SEE us play;
http://www.F150world.com/michapter/
00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd 3.55LSD
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks, MAC 8.8 Axle Girdle
BFG 285/75 R16 MTs,
Borla Cat Back, Hedman Headers,
Custom air intake system with modified
air box, Ported Throttle body,
Shortened MAF sensor tower,
K&N air filter,
Superchips

 

Hey Romeo:
In the past 14 years I have had 14 cars. Of these were a '95 GMC Jimmy (new), '97 Toyota Fourunner (new), 94' Nissan P/u (used), 88' Jeep Wrangler (used), and a 86' Chevy Blazer (used). I can say with confidence my F150 while not perfect has been the best vehicle I have owned. It is 97' S/C flareside ORP 4.6L XLT. I absolutely love this truck. I have since gotten rid of my wifes Chevy car and gotten her into a 99' Explorer. I am now hooked on Ford products and will own nothing else. While most of the problems you see in this site are minor, they are posted because the owners here are very particular about our vehicles. We want them to be perfect. My F150 was used when I bought it, I dont necessarily think it is the vehicles but the previous owners ahd how they maintained their vehicles that causes most of the problems.
Anyway...just my 2 cents!

 

Romeo,
If you want yo feel better about the problems with Fords, please take a look at this site about Chevys. Click on the list of known defects and you will see all brands have problems. Ford probably has less than others. www.agmlemon.freeservers.com

 

ditto! i bot my 97 xlt 4.6l used with 55,000 miles on it. it has been as solid as ga. granite(see stone mountain). i've owned an 87 blazer, an 81 cherokee and many cars over the years. so far, my f150 xlt has been one of if not, the best. look at my sig. and you'll see i just bot another f150!

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2001 Lightning, silver, bot/picked up on 05/08/01, 1997 f150 xlt 4.6L 4x2 with: a/f one fipk, superchip, optima battery, bbk 75mm throttle body, edelbrock ias shocks--2001 lightning to come(she came--see above)