Grit dog wrote:
^ I'm not even a Ford guy and I'll say that above statement is false.
Yes there were issues. Same with other brands.
The one to avoid IMO, are the spark plug spitters, whatever years those were an issue.
But even that, out of 1000s of Ford Triton trucks at work through that era, I had one V10 that spit 1 plug and I don't recall others.
And since the OP is in the high miles budget range, I'd avoid the spark plug breaking engines too. I just bought one of them, but it was super low miles, never seen rain, 06 Mustang 4.6, and immediately replaced the plugs so that won't happen again, as our son may keep it for a long time. And even those were almost rusted in. Pretty crusty for a 30k mile garaged engine.
If you dig on most any model or brand, you can find reasons to convince yourself they are no good. Same thing with a half full glass approach. (Except 6.0 and 6.4 Powerstrokes. But even those are good for low buck builds, shop class projects and boat anchors.)
Anyone CAN find some sort of "fault" with pretty much ANYTHING.
I HAVE had those so called "plug spitters" years of 5.4 Triton engines and NEVER, NOT ONCE had ANY issue with popping plugs from a '97, 2003, 2006 5.4. Those three vehicles total up to 503,000 or a HALF MILLION MILES!!!
Those who did have a plug let loose was from there or their mechanics fault.
Many mechanics and shade tree backyard mechanics do not fully understand that you MUST USE A TORQUE WRENCH when tightening the plugs.
Aluminum heads and steel plugs dance requires the plugs to set at the proper torque spec which VARIES from model year. One MUST check with the Ford dealer service shop to get the proper torque spec for that engine year. Failure to use a torque wrench AND use the PROPER TORQUE SETTING WILL result in spitting a plug or stripping the head threads.
I PERSONALLY would not recommend a F150 with less than 5.0 or 5.4 NA V8 (forget about the NA V6) if you are wanting to tow something more than a cheap small landscape trailer with a lawn tractor. Turbo Ecoboost would be the exception for a V6, it has the power and torque that the NA V6 doesn't have.
F150 4x4 is not a light vehicle, your looking at right around 5,000 lb - 5,500 lb curb weight on the steel bodys.
97 5.4 was 2 valve 265 HP, 2003 was 2 valve 285 HP and 2006 was 3 valve 300 HP.
Depending on the year, F150s were offered in 5.0, 5.4 (2 and 3 valve) and even a 6.2 (400 HP!!).
97-2002 had only 3 treads in the head for the plugs, 2003 the heads were redesigned with more threads.
The 06 and a couple of other years do have the dreaded long deep reach two piece plugs which often tend to break off when removing. The key to removal is patience! Have to warm the engine then loosen plug slightly then spray some cleaner into the plug wells and let sit for some time. There is a specific extraction tool made for that purpose.
Three valve Tritons can have the cam Phaser issue (Ford is not the only manufacturer that has cam phasers, they are used in all 3 valve engines) which can be a pricey repair but in reality IF you follow prescribed oil change intervals and use recommend oil weights most of the time it is a non issue.
There are a couple of other known issues such as vacuum lines cracking and leaking and the exhaust manifolds cracking. I have not experienced those.
Just because it is a 5.4 or "pre 2011) does not mean it is bad and to be avoided. They ALL can be good as long as you don't mind a lower HP engine..
Many folks who slam the pre 2011 engines do so because they are not as powerful and folks will blast the older vehicles because of that as the main reason..
I have towed with 265 HP, 285 HP, 300 HP 5.4s and then with 6.2 385 HP engines, heck yeah, love that 6.2 385 HP, but at the end of day, the 265 HP 5.4 DID get the job done.
Temper in the fact that around 2005 the 5.4 went to 3V AND added in the 5 speed transmission with Tow/Haul for good measure.. Tow/Haul mode IS desirable, it makes towing a pleasure since it will reduce shift hunting and will automatically downshift when descending steep downhill grades.
