Looking to get a used "fixer-upper" work truck (f150)

[steppinthrax]

So I've been looking for a truck. I've traditionally been a Toyota/Honda type of person (due to reliability). However, I want a reliable work truck that I can use to pull my camper (pop-up) haul stuff and around and occasionally take to work. I want something with a good looking body and I don't mind something that his high mileage and/or some problems that need repair. For some reason I'm settled on the Ford F150 with a "doorless" crew cabin. I don't like the older looking one's (>1997), the body just looks too old fashion. I've looked at the Toyota trucks and for some reason they all seem to have short beds and they just look puny to me. Here are my few concerns?

1. I see f150s with 100 - 300K miles!!! The upper mileage one's seem to either have some engine or transmission problems. I passed over a f150 with a bad transmission (no reverse) that had a great looking body and interior, the owner said that it burned about a half quart of oil every 3000K. Just how reliable are these trucks once fixed up. My suspicion is that after 150K or so, it's going to be a once a month fixer upper project. I read somewhere in a forum that don't let 300K scare you, it dosen't mean much with a f150.

2. I see the f150s on craigslist are pretty cheap, is that a bad thing, my thinking is since it's ford and it's a common truck, this drives the price down?

3. How does the f150 compare to the chevy 1500 or the Silverado?

4. My main thing is the towing capacity and the bed. I like the ability to load up my bed with a shit-ton of lumber for a deck project ect. And still have some room. I like the longer beds that f150s have, the asian trucks just seem to have a short cut off bed?

5. The older f150s have a lot of body rust (body panel) esp around the wheel well etc.. Is this a common problem or just the way it's been taken care of?

6. Are there any particular years I should avoid? I'm looking 1995 - 2000 so far.

 

[herm0016]

they are all all available with similar configurations. How many people do you want to be able to haul? you can get a long bed on all of them. the most popular configurations are ext cab with 6.5 bed or 4 door with 5 foot bed. I find the 6.5 to be just fine for home projects. you have 8 feet supported with the gate down.

what is your budget? how much do you want to tow?

 

[steppinthrax]

they are all all available with similar configurations. How many people do you want to be able to haul? you can get a long bed on all of them. the most popular configurations are ext cab with 6.5 bed or 4 door with 5 foot bed. I find the 6.5 to be just fine for home projects. you have 8 feet supported with the gate down.

what is your budget? how much do you want to tow?

I don't want a huge cab, I want a cab where I would have to pop the front seats to allow people to get in the back. Reason is I'll rarely carry people. I understand that the bigger the cab the smaller the bed and lower the tow capacity.

General things I'll be towing is a loaded camper (maybe 3 - 4K) a vehicle. Maybe in a future a boat.

I'm looking around $1500, I don't mind any issues. I'm just really concerned about getting something that I fix and make it work, to find it has issues later. My traditional thinking is around 300K miles on an american vehicle is pretty much junk.

 

[Subyman]

Extended cab is where you want to be. You get the 6 3/4' bed instead of the super shorty with the crew cabs unless you jump up to HD trucks where you will be getting 12mpg. Ford would likely be the better buy for 1999-2004. GM had a lot of transmission problems in those years. I wouldn't be too worried though because you can get a local mechanic to swap a newer transmission in for around $1500 maybe less depending on the part cost at a local swap meet/junk yard.

If you don't want to mess around with the driveline then look for something around 100k. If its in decent shape it should go to 200k without many issues as long as it wasn't pounded on. If I was going to keep it for a long time then I might try to find one that has engine trouble with a clean body and buy it for pennies then swap a really low mileage motor in.

If you are only looking at spending $1500 total then I can't really help you there. I wouldn't trust something like that on a camping trip.

 

[steppinthrax]

Extended cab is where you want to be. You get the 6 3/4' bed instead of the super shorty with the crew cabs unless you jump up to HD trucks where you will be getting 12mpg. Ford would likely be the better buy for 1999-2004. GM had a lot of transmission problems in those years. I wouldn't be too worried though because you can get a local mechanic to swap a newer transmission in for around $1500 maybe less depending on the part cost at a local swap meet/junk yard.

If you don't want to mess around with the driveline then look for something around 100k. If its in decent shape it should go to 200k without many issues as long as it wasn't pounded on. If I was going to keep it for a long time then I might try to find one that has engine trouble with a clean body and buy it for pennies then swap a really low mileage motor in.

If you are only looking at spending $1500 total then I can't really help you there. I wouldn't trust something like that on a camping trip.

No, not looking to spend 1500 total. I was for example looking at this right here.

You cannot use craigslist links in this forum...

AT Moderator
Bartman39

I called the guy, pretty much the engine overheated and he parked it. So I'm looking at least a engine overhaul and/or swap. The body is in great condition.

Also this one.

(link removed)

The body looks immaculate, but again, bad engine.

If you fixed these up, would they be reliable to 200K+ etc...

 

[herm0016]

this seems like a better deal. the 5.7 4l60e / th400 / whatever they called it then is not an issue, the 5.7 is super cheap to rebuild if you need to and will last as long or longer than any ford engines of the era.

you will save money by buying one that has a decent driveline.

You cannot use craigslist links in this forum...

AT Moderator
Bartman39

 

[Subyman]

Some good deals there. With a rebuilt/swapped engine and the tranny working then it should go for plenty of miles. Check the undercarriage for excessive rust.

 

[steppinthrax]

this seems like a better deal. the 5.7 4l60e / th400 / whatever they called it then is not an issue, the 5.7 is super cheap to rebuild if you need to and will last as long or longer than any ford engines of the era.

you will save money by buying one that has a decent driveline.

How does the Sierra compare to the f150 v.s. the silverado?

 

[Subyman]

How does the Sierra compare to the f150 v.s. the silverado?

Sierra and Silverado are practically identical. Only difference was packaging prices and a few cosmetic differences.

As for GM vs Ford, from what I remember of the time GM had transmission issues. We had a 2001 Yukon XL with transmission issues, my old 95 Tahoe had to have the transmission rebuilt, and a friend's Yukon XL had the transmission go out. All didn't have more than 130k on them.

 

[herm0016]

Sierra and Silverado are practically identical. Only difference was packaging prices and a few cosmetic differences.

As for GM vs Ford, from what I remember of the time GM had transmission issues. We had a 2001 Yukon XL with transmission issues, my old 95 Tahoe had to have the transmission rebuilt, and a friend's Yukon XL had the transmission go out. All didn't have more than 130k on them.

Fairly cheap to rebuild stronger than stock. make sure you add the tow package transmission cooler if the truck does not have one. With millions of them still on the road, they will have a few issues. Still very good transmissions.

 

[steppinthrax]

Fairly cheap to rebuild stronger than stock. make sure you add the tow package transmission cooler if the truck does not have one. With millions of them still on the road, they will have a few issues. Still very good transmissions.

So what year range sierra/silverado should I look at for a cheap rebuild, what engine type?

Thanks

 

[herm0016]

So what year range sierra/silverado should I look at for a cheap rebuild, what engine type?

Thanks

anything with a 5.7 L the vortec heads were 97? to 03 87-96 was non vortec heads with the newer design for the valve cover.

best is the vortec motors.

 

[master_shake_]

if it says anything about a 5.4 3v RUN AWAY.

they are notorious for failure.

 

[kn51]

Not up on the 3V except for the spark plug issue when removing them. Not a real big deal, they have special tools for that. And I might be wrong but they might have cam phaser issues.

As for the 2V, the 5.4 can experience spark plug blow out. Too few threads in the head, combined with improper torquing of the plug and it will eject the plug taking threads with it. I would look that one up, as I think the 4.6 is immune since it was cast in a different plant.

With that said, my 1998 Expedition with the 5.4 has been quite dependable given how much it gets beaten on. It is reserved for hauling a half ton of bricks or dirt and taking the family on vacation. With that said, at 134K, I just had to replace the alternator last week.

Coil packs you'll be replacing quite often. And doing a plug change on a 5.4 is quite an adventure.

 

[mizzou]

So I've been looking for a truck. I've traditionally been a Toyota/Honda type of person (due to reliability). However, I want a reliable work truck that I can use to pull my camper (pop-up) haul stuff and around and occasionally take to work. I want something with a good looking body and I don't mind something that his high mileage and/or some problems that need repair. For some reason I'm settled on the Ford F150 with a "doorless" crew cabin. I don't like the older looking one's (>1997), the body just looks too old fashion. I've looked at the Toyota trucks and for some reason they all seem to have short beds and they just look puny to me. Here are my few concerns?

If you decide on buying a chevy, especially 2002 and older, ensure you replace the steel brake lines all the way to the master cylinder. The kits out there make it about a $500.00 job. This is a MUST.

For all trucks, and goes for cars as well, I would consider the following on an older vehicle:
-Water pump replacement
-Coolant hose replacements
-Brake line inspection (not just at the tires)
-Fuel line inspection W/ filter replacement
-Wheel hub inspection and replacement if necessary
-Engine/Body Mount replacements
-Battery replacement
-New Tires
-Replace cabin air filter and engine air filter
-Replace PVC valve
-Make sure all exterior and interior lights are working properly, all the way down to the license plate lamp and interior dome light

I consider all the above minor maintenance that most people neglect and must be done. Too often I get into a used car and find out that there are rusted lines everywhere and I keep going back into the shop for repairs.

For major maintenance, just factor in the cost with the purchase price. If a truck needs a brand new or rebuild transmission, just take it to a shop and ask how much it costs. everything broken in a vehicle can be fixed for a price, and when it comes to trucks, it's almost always cheaper to fix then to buy new!

I've owned a 02' silverado and I noticed it is solid "Like a Rock!" Other then regular maintenance, I haven't had any issues with it since first day I bought it brand new. I can tell the transmission is a bit wonky, but I baby it and don't ride it that hard.


Look out for terrible frame rust. All the repairs in the world won't fix a rotted frame. If it looks like the steel frame near the wheels or bed is about to fall apart, I would pass on it.