04 f-150 vs 06 tacoma

[jackelope]

What engine in the ford? If it's a 5.4 then I wouldn't buy it. 2004 was the first year for the 3 valve 5.4 and they are probably the most problematic 5.4 ever made, look up cam phaser and stuck spark plug issues for these trucks, I wouldn't buy a 3v ford unless it was 07 or newer. If the ford has a 4.6 it should be plenty reliable but it will be pretty gutless.

It is a 5.4 3V. I will have to read some more reviews about it.

Please read the reviews. When you change plugs it isn't a matter of if spark plugs break, it is a matter of how many. Look at timing chain issues as well. They have notoriously bad oil pumps....

I usually/almost always agree with you, but I don't this time. Maybe it just takes practice to get them out and guys who aren't working on them all the time break them more often. I don't see it happening too often.

[vandeman17]

The stuck spark plug thing is such an overplayed non-issue unless you don't know what you're doing or wait way too long to change the plugs. I am surrounded by F-150's all day long, change spark plugs on them all the time and I literally can almost count on 1 hand how many my guys have broken in the last 1.5 years. Definitely less than 10. Even when they do break, with the correct tools, they come right out. I wouldn't consider that an issue to be concerned with. The plugs are changed out every 90k miles...if you worried about every issue a vehicle had, you'd be riding a bike.
The cam phaser issue is a potential deal breaker. That is super expensive to fix, and it does happen from time to time.

So with that said would your vote be the ford or yota?

[Bean Counter]

If I were to go with a domestic it would probably be a Ford. They always seemed to last longer than dodges and Chevy when I drove fleet vehicles bitd. Plus, they didn't take Uncle Joe's bailout money as did Government Motors. I'll look more into it when my Toyota falls apart. At quarter million miles, I'm thinking I might be close to halfway through its life. 

[Bofire]

  The heck Dodge did not take  bail out, they just took it several years sooner. ask Iococca.
Carl

[teanawayslayer]

Toyota toyota toyota!  I am a little bias.  I have owned lots of toyota's.  I actually just bought a ford super duty to haul my trailer.  It has been in the shop several times since I have purchased it.  It actually needs go back again to fix the problem that they can't seem to figure out. All though I have a 2010 tacoma that I hunt out of.  They are not built tough and as reliable as they were 2004 and prior.  But still better than a ford.

[huntnphool]

Heated seats...you eastsiders are so WEAK....
*
Sounds like you like them both, what you did not list was how many miles on each truck.
But pick the one you like after driving them both...

heated seats are solid after freezing your tail off sitting in a tree stand all dang day! 

 Heated seats and hunting from tree stands?......and you think it's the west siders that are weak.

[vandeman17]

Heated seats...you eastsiders are so WEAK....
*
Sounds like you like them both, what you did not list was how many miles on each truck.
But pick the one you like after driving them both...

heated seats are solid after freezing your tail off sitting in a tree stand all dang day! 

 Heated seats and hunting from tree stands?......and you think it's the west siders that are weak.

Just started hunting from stands and I must say that it is awesome but wow it can get cold in a hurry! Take that over the rainforests on the west side though! 

[Slimdog350]

I have an 05 Tacoma and love it. I've put dang near 100k in it and no major issues, just regular maintenance. I have a buddy that has an 07 f-150 and he loves his. It's also pretty comfortable and has a lot of room for an extended cab. That's one thing my yoga is not and that's comfortable on long trips. It gets around in the woods great and has been the most reliable truck I've ever owned. If I was you and you don't need a full size rig I would get a newer 4 door Tacoma that has a certified platinum warranty on it. If you haul things like quads, wood anything you would need a full size bed for then look else where. Your not fitting much in a Tacoma. The issue with the 5.4L and spark plugs isn't much of an issue like jackelope said. If you know what you're doing it's not that bad. I don't know about the cam issue. Haven't seen that one yet. Hope this was helpful!

[jackelope]

The stuck spark plug thing is such an overplayed non-issue unless you don't know what you're doing or wait way too long to change the plugs. I am surrounded by F-150's all day long, change spark plugs on them all the time and I literally can almost count on 1 hand how many my guys have broken in the last 1.5 years. Definitely less than 10. Even when they do break, with the correct tools, they come right out. I wouldn't consider that an issue to be concerned with. The plugs are changed out every 90k miles...if you worried about every issue a vehicle had, you'd be riding a bike.
The cam phaser issue is a potential deal breaker. That is super expensive to fix, and it does happen from time to time.

So with that said would your vote be the ford or yota?

I probably wouldn't buy a 2004 F150. Newer would be a lot better.

If you want a big, roomy truck...buy an F150. If you want a little truck, buy the Tacoma.

[Bean Counter]

If I had to start over form scratch and could afford a used truck I would go for a 2004 Toyota of some sort. They moved up to more expensive, proprietary transmission fluids that I don't like to spend money on but I have heard of comparatively more tranny failures in '02 and '03 FWIW. IDK if its all in the fluid. I know the Sequoia/Tundra engine across all those years is the same (2UZ-FE), and that its awesome. If you do get a pre '04 make sure the tranny fluid isn't burnt and be diligent about changing the fluid. Jackelope or any of the other pros are welcome to correct me here.

[BsB]

We have 4 f-250 5.4L at my work and all of them except one, ejected the #4 cylinder spark plug with just over 100k. One did it at 90k. That and the constant coil pack problems, I personally would stay away from them. With the engine stuffed into the firewall it makes it a PITA to wrench on. I would go with the Toyota. The Tacoma's are solid trucks. If that truck has the TRD package, which I think I see the badge on the bed, it should come with an e-locker and some other goodies. As you said the Toyota will hold its value more than the ford and I agree as I was truck shopping a year ago and I couldn't believe the resale on Toyotas, even with high mileage. It is what it is I guess. My vote goes for the Tacoma. If you're not in a hurry, they seem to pop up every week or so, some better priced than others. Also take note on when the truck was listed. If it doesn't sell in the first 2-3wks from list date, something isn't right. The Toyotas don't normally last very long if priced right.

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[jackelope]

It's an awesome engine till it needs a timing belt. The trans fluid would be the least of your worries at that point.

[270Shooter]

I guess it really depends on how much you want to spend realistically. An 09-10 f150 with the 5.4 is a pretty solid truck and the newer ones with the 5.0 seen to be great trucks as well, I probably would pass on an ecoboost unless I got a great deal on it. My next truck (in a few years when I can afford one) will most likely be a 2011 or newer f150 with a 5.0 unless I find the need for a diesel but I don't see that happening. The newer dodges seem to be getting better but I'm still not a fan of them.

[bobcat]

Or you could go with a Chevy.       (That's what I drive)

[Quackwhacker]

Go with the toyota. Only because I think it looks better.