Maintaining higher mileage trucks
2011 F150 5.0, 90,000 miles. I'm happy with the truck and at 70, not too many more years of towing. I'd like to ride it out with this vehicle. I've been OK with dealer service and they are convenient...
Forum Discussion
Traded my 97 F150 with the 5.4 in it with 255,000 miles on it only because I wanted a new truck! I owned the 97 since 2001 and traded in 1/2014..
I'll keep this 13 for as long as it's running well, just as the 97. It was still running strong when traded. No major issues with it and it was the first vehicle I have owned that I knew I was not going to be able to do any kind of DIY work on it, other than fluids and the spark plugs... Even with my old 86 Mustang GT, there were things that I didn't or couldn't deal with electronic wise..
I've wrenched on things since the 70's, so carbs, timing, dwell, A/F mixture, chokes etc where easy stuff... All this electronic stuff is just too much and even the OP's water pump is not just a 4 bolt replacement process...
The water pump on my Eco is INSIDE the timing chain cover, so the whole front end will have to come off for that to be changed..
When that time comes, I'll likely take it to the dealer.. I took the 97 to the dealer for some things that I didn't want to deal with and it was a good experience overall..
Yes, I have heard of the interweb horror stories of dealers and independents as well, so all you can do is your own vetting and hope for the best in the end if you ain't wrenching on it yourself..
Good luck!
Mitch
I'll keep this 13 for as long as it's running well, just as the 97. It was still running strong when traded. No major issues with it and it was the first vehicle I have owned that I knew I was not going to be able to do any kind of DIY work on it, other than fluids and the spark plugs... Even with my old 86 Mustang GT, there were things that I didn't or couldn't deal with electronic wise..
I've wrenched on things since the 70's, so carbs, timing, dwell, A/F mixture, chokes etc where easy stuff... All this electronic stuff is just too much and even the OP's water pump is not just a 4 bolt replacement process...
The water pump on my Eco is INSIDE the timing chain cover, so the whole front end will have to come off for that to be changed..
When that time comes, I'll likely take it to the dealer.. I took the 97 to the dealer for some things that I didn't want to deal with and it was a good experience overall..
Yes, I have heard of the interweb horror stories of dealers and independents as well, so all you can do is your own vetting and hope for the best in the end if you ain't wrenching on it yourself..
Good luck!
Mitch
