So I buy or run away
Asked by silverhair46 Aug 12, 2016 at 07:24 AM about the 2003 Ford F-150 King Ranch Crew Cab 4WD SB
Question type: General
I am looking at a 2003 Ford F150 King Ranch. It has 267245 miles on it. The body and interior are like new. Price is cheap because of miles. Any thing I should be looking for before buying. Has the 5.4 engine which I thought was good till I googled it. Seems like this may be a problem engine. What you think?
4 Answers
Take it to a mechanic and have it inspected. At 267,245 miles you can expect some issues.
Really check that frame and engine cradle for rot. If the price is good enough, you can always replace the motor if/when it goes, you just don't want to do that if the frame or engine cradle have rot. The big problem with the 5.4 Triton engine were the spark plug threads, but that was on 2001 and earlier models, it was fixed by 2003. With 267K on this engine, it is definitely near the end of it's life, so buy it with the expectation you'll have to rebuild it or do an engine replacement at some point.
Also the transmission may be in need of replacement or rebuilding soon, especially if it is the untouched original.
Really, any vehicle, no matter how nice a shape, with 267K on it is a "mechanic's special." If you're not a mechanic or have a nice garage with tools to work on your own stuff, this is one to walk away from. I personally might buy something like this, but I'd pull the motor, send the tranny out to be rebuilt, then tear down the motor and slap a gasket kit and new rings/bearings in it and send the heads out to be redecked and rebuilt. With that mileage may as well put new bushing in all around and rebuild rear axles.
