Lookin to buy a 2002 Ford F150 reg cab 2x4.. 2500

[Smossy]

Anyone have any complaints with these older fords? If it was up to me and the money was right a ford would be the last thing I'd buy but something fell into our lap that seems to be reasonable. Wanted to get some hw feedback. Has 166k on it. It's a manual
 4.2l not the dreaded 5.4..

[fish vacuum]

I had a 2002 with a 4.2 and thought it was a good motor. Very smooth and decent power. With a load of fishing and camping gear it would go across the passes faster than I was willing to go. Pulled a small boat just fine. Some of the early 4.2's from 97-98 had some serious intake problems but they were good after that.
Only problem mine had was with the ECM. It was replaced by Ford because of an emissions issue, then the replacement crapped the bed and was replaced again on Ford's dime. I wanna say it had around 130k on it when I sold it.

[SniperDanWA]

Smossy,
I have a 2002 f150 2wd short box extended cab with 4.6.  So far, not a lick of issues.

I have a 2000 f150 4wd long box extended cab with 5.4.  I have had to do a top end on this one due to a gasket issue.  Other than that, it's a solid truck.  For what I paid for it, the top end cost really wasn't much.

[Smossy]

Well it's the 4.2l v6 manual and has 160k miles. Still seems to be running good. E just try to stay awat from ford's but for what it is its a great price.. just wanted to hear what everyone else said.. I know to stay away from the 5.4

[Smossy]

Not in too bad of condition either.

[jackelope]

For every problem the 5.4 has, I can find a problem that pretty much every other engine on the planet has.
 

[kckrawler]

For every problem the 5.4 has, I can find a problem that pretty much every other engine on the planet has.
 

  I had zero problems with my 5.4 F-150.

[Smossy]

For every problem the 5.4 has, I can find a problem that pretty much every other engine on the planet has.
 

  I had zero problems with my 5.4 F-150.

Well glad to hear it. I just hear s many problems about ford vehicles. Gonna have to just swe what happens because we're at the bank filling out paperwork already.

[kckrawler]

For every problem the 5.4 has, I can find a problem that pretty much every other engine on the planet has.
 

  I had zero problems with my 5.4 F-150.

Well glad to hear it. I just hear s many problems about ford vehicles. Gonna have to just swe what happens because we're at the bank filling out paperwork already.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

4.2 had lower intake issues and the spark plug problems. I had one. Rebuilt it myself at 170 after lower intake failure flooded #4. Don't buy a v-6 in that vintage. Nothing good with result. Find a 1995-6 with the last 300 big six. The 4.2 was a crappy motor. The intake is a two piece. A lower plastic panel with an upper plastic panel crapwiched together.

It really is a piece of plastic. Not just one, two. It's a crap upper and lower sandwich.


And, all they changed to "fix" the problem was a different gasket on the newer motor. (I was sooo lucky to get when I rebuilt it...)

[Happy Gilmore]

For every problem the 5.4 has, I can find a problem that pretty much every other engine on the planet has.
 

Lol
.. I'm not a Chevy fan however... The last 350 made was 100x better than any ford gas motor made.

[fish vacuum]

4.2 had lower intake issues and the spark plug problems. I had one. Rebuilt it myself at 170 after lower intake failure flooded #4. Don't buy a v-6 in that vintage.

Everything I read before I bought mine said that was only an issue with 97 and 98 models.

[Happy Gilmore]

4.2 had lower intake issues and the spark plug problems. I had one. Rebuilt it myself at 170 after lower intake failure flooded #4. Don't buy a v-6 in that vintage.

Everything I read before I bought mine said that was only an issue with 97 and 98 models.

It was an issue with later models and v-8s. 5.4 not excluded. My friend Aaron bought a 2004 5.4 just blew intake. My brothers expedition 5.4 had cracked plug issues. They also rust in place because they are set down into the head. He also had coil pack problems. They are proud of the billable hours to fix them too. The other thing about them is that there isn't really a good reason for a v-6. They do not get an better fuel economy.

[jackelope]

For every problem the 5.4 has, I can find a problem that pretty much every other engine on the planet has.
 

Lol
.. I'm not a Chevy fan however... The last 350 made was 100x better than any ford gas motor made.

5.7L R motor(Vortec)....Intake manifolds puke coolant at the corners and injectors go bad like they're going out of style. Exhaust leaks like mad. I made mortgage payments off of the commissions I made from those repairs.

I'm not a "Ford guy" for the record. I just work at a Ford dealer. I've pretty much only ever driven Chevy trucks with a couple Fords mixed in here and there.

[Smossy]

For every problem the 5.4 has, I can find a problem that pretty much every other engine on the planet has.
 

Lol
.. I'm not a Chevy fan however... The last 350 made was 100x better than any ford gas motor made.

5.7L R motor(Vortec)....Intake manifolds puke coolant at the corners and injectors go bad like they're going out of style. Exhaust leaks like mad. I made mortgage payments off of the commissions I made from those repairs.

I'm not a "Ford guy" for the record. I just work at a Ford dealer. I've pretty much only ever driven Chevy trucks with a couple Fords mixed in here and there.

Well this one will be our second ford. Hopefully it does as well as our other one did untill the transmission went out. Figure if we don't like it we can atleast sell it for what we got it for, if not a few bucks more..

[timberfaller]

After a life full of 4x4's my best was a 73 Chev, my WORST of the WORST is my present 02 4x4(5.4 motor)Super Crew.

Poorest turning radius, poorest MPG, poorest(most expensive)repair issues!  Driving in four wheel in the hills, sounds like its coming apart, twice to a Ford Dealer only to be told, "that is normal for Fords"

But then all rigs have issues,  some more then others though!!

Good Luck!
 

[Smossy]

After a life full of 4x4's my best was a 73 Chev, my WORST of the WORST is my present 02 4x4(5.4 motor)Super Crew.

Poorest turning radius, poorest MPG, poorest(most expensive)repair issues!  Driving in four wheel in the hills, sounds like its coming apart, twice to a Ford Dealer only to be told, "that is normal for Fords"

But then all rigs have issues,  some more then others though!!

Good Luck!
 

This one's only a 2x4. Again most the rigs with the big problems I'm hearing and reading about were the 5.4l. This one's a 4.2. So just gotta hope we get our money out of it. Take that risk with any used rigs.

[JDHasty]

We had a 2003 F150 FX4 Lariat SCREW, 5.4 that means that it had every option available on it.  It had ZERO problems.  Put an alternator on it @ ~ 150K.

It was totaled by an idiot w/no license or insurance, we still miss that puckup.  Our new F150 is roomier, and gets better mileage, but other than that the 03 was everything we wanted in a truck.   

[Happy Gilmore]

For every problem the 5.4 has, I can find a problem that pretty much every other engine on the planet has.
 

Lol
.. I'm not a Chevy fan however... The last 350 made was 100x better than any ford gas motor made.

5.7L R motor(Vortec)....Intake manifolds puke coolant at the corners and injectors go bad like they're going out of style. Exhaust leaks like mad. I made mortgage payments off of the commissions I made from those repairs.

I'm not a "Ford guy" for the record. I just work at a Ford dealer. I've pretty much only ever driven Chevy trucks with a couple Fords mixed in here and there.

Huh, three of my buddies have over 350k and my ex gf had 400k on non rebuilt 98 5.7's. The ex put on headers at 200 with flowmasters. My other buddies had done exhaust gaskets when the exhaust rotted out from under them. That's way more expected than rotted and broken spark plugs at 125k. Sucked lower gaskets that are a biotch to replace.

The latest 5.7 is hands down the best ever, cheapest and easiest motor to repair. Anyone who says differently shouldn't be trusted for truck advice.

[Happy Gilmore]

After a life full of 4x4's my best was a 73 Chev, my WORST of the WORST is my present 02 4x4(5.4 motor)Super Crew.

Poorest turning radius, poorest MPG, poorest(most expensive)repair issues!  Driving in four wheel in the hills, sounds like its coming apart, twice to a Ford Dealer only to be told, "that is normal for Fords"

But then all rigs have issues,  some more then others though!!

Good Luck!
 

This one's only a 2x4. Again most the rigs with the big problems I'm hearing and reading about were the 5.4l. This one's a 4.2. So just gotta hope we get our money out of it. Take that risk with any used rigs.

Whatever you heard is not good info. Find a two wheel drive Chevy with a 5.7. You will get same gas mileage, way more power, parts are cheap and its super easy to dyi repairs. That 4.2 is junker.

[Happy Gilmore]

In my mind, for a gas truck, after having seen a bunch of them never quit first hand... This low miles v-8, waaay more power than a v-6, same or better mileage(I've owned both)... Nice truck right here.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/6064226808.html

[Smossy]

In my mind, for a gas truck, after having seen a bunch of them never quit first hand... This low miles v-8, waaay more power than a v-6, same or better mileage(I've owned both)... Nice truck right here.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/6064226808.html

It's a shame I didn't see this a few days ago. Damn good truck right there I would have jumped on that. Oh well.

[Happy Gilmore]

I didn't realize you bought it already. I thought you were looking because of your post question about it. Sorry.

[Happy Gilmore]

I'm half interested at that mileage and price. It's the same as my ex truck except not a 4x4. I really like that interior, seats and layout. Super nice truck. Even same color 😊  sorry Shelah... Hahaa

[fish vacuum]

The other thing about them is that there isn't really a good reason for a v-6. They do not get an better fuel economy.

One good reason for a V6 is that with less hp is puts less stress on the fragile Ford transmission. 

[Smossy]

Well for the price we got it for, if we really decide we don't like it we can just sell it and even probably make a few extra bucks. Gonna have to ask questions sooner to you truck guys before finding something else if that happens. I wanted a Chevy to but SG doesn't like the older boxy look.

[Happy Gilmore]

The other thing about them is that there isn't really a good reason for a v-6. They do not get an better fuel economy.

One good reason for a V6 is that with less hp is puts less stress on the fragile Ford transmission. 

Never had a clutch issue with my f-150. Put 170k on it before it blew up/imploded.

[jackelope]

For every problem the 5.4 has, I can find a problem that pretty much every other engine on the planet has.
 

Lol
.. I'm not a Chevy fan however... The last 350 made was 100x better than any ford gas motor made.

5.7L R motor(Vortec)....Intake manifolds puke coolant at the corners and injectors go bad like they're going out of style. Exhaust leaks like mad. I made mortgage payments off of the commissions I made from those repairs.

I'm not a "Ford guy" for the record. I just work at a Ford dealer. I've pretty much only ever driven Chevy trucks with a couple Fords mixed in here and there.

Huh, three of my buddies have over 350k and my ex gf had 400k on non rebuilt 98 5.7's. The ex put on headers at 200 with flowmasters. My other buddies had done exhaust gaskets when the exhaust rotted out from under them. That's way more expected than rotted and broken spark plugs at 125k. Sucked lower gaskets that are a biotch to replace.

The latest 5.7 is hands down the best ever, cheapest and easiest motor to repair. Anyone who says differently shouldn't be trusted for truck advice.

I won't argue which one is better. I was just mentioning some of the common issues they have/had. It's been almost 20 years since they put a 350 in a truck, so they're pretty much all worn out by now. 3 trucks without issues doesn't really set a benchmark.   I had a '95 and it was a great truck with zero engine issues up to 200k miles. The ones pre-96 were better than the latest ones IMO in regard to reliability. When they switched over to the Vortec and the injector issues kind of tanked their reliability. The TBI injection was pretty rock solid.

[Smossy]

The other thing about them is that there isn't really a good reason for a v-6. They do not get an better fuel economy.

One good reason for a V6 is that with less hp is puts less stress on the fragile Ford transmission. 

Never had a clutch issue with my f-150. Put 170k on it before it blew up/imploded.

So any other things to look out for on this rig I'm picking up? It's being detailed right now so i should have it by this weekend.
Yall are stressing me out alittle.  it's mostly going to be for hunting/fishing/dragging my tiny boat, pickin up supplies for the property. Etc. Doubt there will be any serious road trips or work commutes in its future unless my daily brakes down.

[Skillet]

You will be fine, man.  Sounds like you committed to it, so just filter out the stream of negativity that polluted your thread and take the good bits of advice (relating to your truck as opposed to Ford vs Chev, V6 vs V8, etc.)  Watch it close for a little while, just like you should with any new or new-to-you vehicle.  Maintain religiously.  Buy a shop manual for it.  If something breaks, fix it.  That's how you keep a nice rig nice.

Enjoy your new ride. 

[JDHasty]

You will be fine, man.  Sounds like you committed to it, so just filter out the stream of negativity that polluted your thread and take the good bits of advice (relating to your truck as opposed to Ford vs Chev, V6 vs V8, etc.)  Watch it close for a little while, just like you should with any new or new-to-you vehicle.  Maintain religiously.  Buy a shop manual for it.  If something breaks, fix it.  That's how you keep a nice rig nice.

Enjoy your new ride. 

That's what I am talking about! 

[Smossy]

Thanks. If only I knew how to work on cars and trucks lol

[BULLBLASTER]

Thanks. If only I knew how to work on cars and trucks lol

Lots of good help on the forum! Now go fill the back of that sucker up with dead things!   

[Happy Gilmore]

Can't stress about a $2,500 rig. I thought you were asking advice on whether to buy one or not. I had one. Put a lot of problem free miles on it. I bought mine new. Used it. They drive nice, ride good and do what you expect a v-6 half ton to do.

[Smossy]

Can't stress about a $2,500 rig. I thought you were asking advice on whether to buy one or not. I had one. Put a lot of problem free miles on it. I bought mine new. Used it. They drive nice, ride good and do what you expect a v-6 half ton to do.

Yeah like I said only really plan to do small basic stuff. No serious business like hauling campers or horse trailers. Just always wanted something I could just take my muddy boots off or wett waders and juse toss them in the back and not have to worry about much. Just want the simple factor of the bed. Can't even pick up hay for yhe goats because it will get everywhere in any other of our vehicles.