Nashcat
Site Supporter
A couple of weeks ago, I decided to buy myself a late model used pickup. But after reading all the truck forums, I’ve decided there’s none worth buying.
The truck I want is a White Ford F150. 5.0 V8, crew cab, 4 x 4, under 125k miles. Probably the last truck I’ll ever buy. I have my reasons for the options. White, because I hate getting in a hot, dark truck in summer. 5.0 V8, because I’ve had 4 Ford V6’s, all with bad head gaskets. 4 x4 because of the steep hills where I live. Stranded 5 days during last month’s snow/ice. Miles are not that important, since I don’t go far.
Not buying anything with a turbo! I’ll probably keep the truck 10 years, if I live that long, and don’t want to replace a turbo.
Now for the fun part after reading forums.
Ford frames, supposedly, need to be rustproofed on the inside to prevent rot. Several local lots have trucks from Ontario that made their way to TN through the Northern (salted) states, so rust may have started. The aluminum bodies don’t rust, just everything else.
Next, the 10 speed transmission has a weak component that Ford knows about and has lengthened the warranty. BUT….the part is backordered for 8 months. It‘s a frame that the electronic leads go through that control the shifting. Default mode is 1st gear, so if it happens to fail on the interstate, it locks the wheels. $1100 fix if past 10 years OR 150k miles. That is if you can find the part. Sorta like Honda’s ECM. Do a search for Ford lead frame.
So now I’m thinking Chevy. Maybe? Seems to be failure of electronic solenoids for 4-wheel drive. According to GM forums, it’s an inexpensive part in the front differential, but is very labor intensive to the tune of $1000 to $1800 labor, depending on truck model. I’m not pulling front axels at my age.
Toyota and Nissan make a good truck, but prices are almost double, compared to comparable Ford or GM. It’s a personal thing, but I don’t like the looks of a Ram truck.
A new F150, V8, 4X4, crew cab, without any added options is $58k. I cant see the value for my use. I guess I could leave it to my SIL.
Your thoughts?
John
The truck I want is a White Ford F150. 5.0 V8, crew cab, 4 x 4, under 125k miles. Probably the last truck I’ll ever buy. I have my reasons for the options. White, because I hate getting in a hot, dark truck in summer. 5.0 V8, because I’ve had 4 Ford V6’s, all with bad head gaskets. 4 x4 because of the steep hills where I live. Stranded 5 days during last month’s snow/ice. Miles are not that important, since I don’t go far.
Not buying anything with a turbo! I’ll probably keep the truck 10 years, if I live that long, and don’t want to replace a turbo.
Now for the fun part after reading forums.
Ford frames, supposedly, need to be rustproofed on the inside to prevent rot. Several local lots have trucks from Ontario that made their way to TN through the Northern (salted) states, so rust may have started. The aluminum bodies don’t rust, just everything else.
Next, the 10 speed transmission has a weak component that Ford knows about and has lengthened the warranty. BUT….the part is backordered for 8 months. It‘s a frame that the electronic leads go through that control the shifting. Default mode is 1st gear, so if it happens to fail on the interstate, it locks the wheels. $1100 fix if past 10 years OR 150k miles. That is if you can find the part. Sorta like Honda’s ECM. Do a search for Ford lead frame.
So now I’m thinking Chevy. Maybe? Seems to be failure of electronic solenoids for 4-wheel drive. According to GM forums, it’s an inexpensive part in the front differential, but is very labor intensive to the tune of $1000 to $1800 labor, depending on truck model. I’m not pulling front axels at my age.
Toyota and Nissan make a good truck, but prices are almost double, compared to comparable Ford or GM. It’s a personal thing, but I don’t like the looks of a Ram truck.
A new F150, V8, 4X4, crew cab, without any added options is $58k. I cant see the value for my use. I guess I could leave it to my SIL.
Your thoughts?
John