04 f-150 vs 06 tacoma

[vandeman17]

I have found two trucks that I am interested in and both have their pros and cons. Want to get some feelings on the matter and lets try to stay away from the ford vs chevy vs dodge debate. 

Pros for Ford over Tacoma... Bigger interior, heated seats, sun roof, gps/back up cam, about $2k cheaper
Pros for Tacoma over Ford... Better mileage, better resale, generally more dependable, little smaller so easier on tight/rough roads.

Both have about the same mileage, both 4x4, both have a canopy.

Ford is from a dealer in Portland and Tacoma is private sale in Lynnwood.

[270Shooter]

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.

However, if you find an 03 f150 with a 5.4 with low miles they will probably one of the most reliable late model f150's you'll find. The 2 valve 5.4 was much more reliable than the early 3 valves, but did not have quite as much horsepower.

If it was between the two trucks you listed I'd go with the Tacoma, and I bleed ford blue!

[Mark Brenckle]

Ahhh, still shopping on the west-side, huh?
I've never heard anyone regret buying a Toyota, if its in good condition and has been very well taken care of.

[vandeman17]

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.

[vandeman17]

Ahhh, still shopping on the west-side, huh?
I've never heard anyone regret buying a Toyota, if its in good condition and has been very well taken care of.

I have been searching statewide, Oregon and Idaho. I am willing to drive a little for the right truck at the right price

[270Shooter]

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.

i have learned a ton by reading some ford forums, I have a 2000. F150forum.com has some really knowledgable guys.

[Buckmark]

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...

[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! 

F-150 91k Tacoma 95k

[vandeman17]

Tacoma  http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4563097966.html

F-150  http://www.mercedesbenzbeaverton.com/used/Ford/2004-Ford-F-150+SuperCrew-near-wilsonville-or-f37d2efe0a0a00e026178f03c863b807.htm

[bobcat]

Does the Tacoma really get better gas mileage? From what I've seen they don't do much better than full size trucks.

[vandeman17]

Does the Tacoma really get better gas mileage? From what I've seen they don't do much better than full size trucks.

Yes a little bit from the reivews that I have read. The Tacoma has a cold air intake that probably helps a little as well. Guy selling says he gets about 16-17 city and about 18-20 highway

[adamR]

Go with the toyota! I have an 04 f150 and it has 120k on it... I lost over drive a couple months ago! I've been limping it along because I can't afford to fix it.  Its also an electrical nightmare, I'm an electrician and it seems like every month some switch stops working right or something else breaks I hate this truck!!! My wife has a 2006 toyota 4runner that we bought with 90k and it's at 150 now, never put a dime in it!

[Woodchuck]

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....

[vandeman17]

This is all helping guys. I appreciate the info!

[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.