Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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F-150 Owners
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There's a pretty extensive discussion on tonneaus, caps and bedliners in Topic #96, "Truck Accessories." If you read through the posts there you'll probably find answers to your questions.
I had the exact same thing happen with my 97 F150. It handled fine in the snow and ice, but when I went to park in a parking space, it felt like the front wheels locked up. I had to take it out of 4WD to park it. I'm not sure what caused this, but I think it was a combination of turning at a slow speed and the fact that the parking lot was dry (plowed), not snow-covered.
thanks
Mike
lovtlc@gte.net
Thanks for the response. Your are right. I went to the dealer I bought it from and they confirmed that on dry pavement the 4 wheel drive is stiff when turning. They said all was normal. Happy Trucking.
Lovell1, there are several guys there with "NAStrucks"
Jennings, tires are a popular topic.
Tperkins, Lots of guys have older trucks, they may be able to help. Also try Ford Truck Enthusiasts at - http://www.ford-trucks.com/ for older truck info.
I don't have any official connection with these sites, but I have noticed that most people have moved off of this board and are hanging out primarily on those.
Thau
jlc4
I am planning on purchasing a 1999 Ford F-150 Ext Cab, 4x4, w/ 5.4l engine and off-road package (gotta have those 17-inch wheels). Hope to do this within 30-60 days. However, before I do this, I must ask some questions of you current owners. My first question is this: An XLT version of this truck runs about 29.5-30K MSRP (loaded, of course), while for about $1700 more, I can get the Lariat edition; is it worth the extra $ to get leather and the standard CD player in the Lariat? What I am looking for here is input from those with the XLT and owners of the Lariat package. Does the Lariat have a significant advantage come resale time due to its extras? Second, and more important question is: Although I do not plan to off road much, I still want a 4x4; Is there a certain amount of time I must engage the 4WD system (4-hi and 4-lo) so as to keep it in working order; in other words, is this commodity a "use it or lose it" thing? I dropped by Northside Ford here in San Antonio and was informed by the salesman that if I ordered the truck to my specs, it would take about 6 weeks to deliver. Is this about right for the rest of you who ordered yours? Any assistance from you veteran F-150 owners would be appreciated. Oh yeah, someone please explain to me, in simple terms, what the differences between pushrod and overhead cam technologies are.
Thanks,
Michael from San Antonio
I had the F150 ext. cab 4x4 w/8 ft. bed for two years. With a high-rise cap on the back, it was ideal for camping. I set up the back with an air mattress and still had room with the back seat folded down to load my gear. On trips where I had other people along, I could fill the bed with tents, clothes, firewood and food and had room for passengers up front.
This was the most versatile, trouble-free vehicle I ever owned. Gas mileage averaged 18 mpg, the interior was comfortable, it handled well and had a nice solid feel to it.
I just recently traded it for a Dodge Ram 1500, and although I love my new truck, I already miss my F150.
Thanks
Sorry you were ignored. I thought you would get a flood of answers.
It's the location of the camshaft. "Overhead cam" means its up in the head (or both heads if it's a V). If it's not there, the camshaft is down in the block near the crankshaft, but the valves are up near the top of the cylinder, generally in the head in today's engines. Hence, the vertical motion caused by the camshaft is transmitted to something called a rocker arm through a rod...a pushrod. The other end of the rocker pushes the valve open. There is obviously a lot more mechanism in the pushrod configuration, which means more parts that can wear. Therefore, many (most I would suspect) perceive the OHC to be a far superior system. Whether the vehicle is 4x2 or 4x4 has absolutely nothing to do with how the engines' valves are driven open.
Of course, theres a lot more to it, but you said to keep it simple. Is that good enough?
Thanks for the explanation; my question on the 4x4 is that since I will not go off road too much, do I need to engage the 4-hi/lo system occasionally to keep it "in working order" so to speak? In other words, can someone screw up the 4x4 system if he/she does not use it much or at all? Thanks
Michael
I own a '99 F-150 Flareside S.B. Lariat, 4x4, 5.4L, Off Rd Pck., Towing Pck, Two Tone, Shift on Fly, 3.73 Lmt Slp ($28,800)and LOVE it! I believe you would get more at trade time for the "extras". I believe if you spent 10% more, you could expect to get 6% higher resale. I have had many 4x4's and believe that working the system monthly will keep everything lubed and in good order. Can't prove, but have had no problems.
Good luck!
Thanks for the info; cannot wait to order my truck.....Ford's F-150 is the best according to most pub's. Did you order yours? If so, how long did it take for delivery? Can't wait to pull along side a new Silverado and just shake my head knowing what the poor sap is missing....
Michael
Also 4*4 with auto transmission
Having said that, Toyota, which has OHC engines, makes great "truck" engines. They make very good power for their displacement, and the power is down low, which is where you want it in a truck.
The Ford OHC engines tend to make their power a bit higher in the rev range than do corresponding Dodge of GM OHV engines. I think the Ford OHC has tremendous "potential" as a truck engine. Especially if they shift to a 4-valve design and employ variable-valve timing, which can better control the power band. However, the new GM OHV engines show there is still a lot of life left in the "old" OHV format.
Note: Chrysler (Dodge & Jeep) are in the process of converting to OHC engines for their truck/SUV ranges. I truly believe the future of truck engines is with the OHC design. My understanding is that it is also easier to make a "clean" engine from an OHC design than with an OHV design. Hence, the shift towards the OHC format for the car/truck companies.
Bob
When I called, I knew exactly what I wanted, and told him he was in competition with 5 other dealers, and what would be his best price? He offered me $100 over invoice.
You should read back in the conference, as I posted a long time ago my success story. Others here have not been able to get $100 over, but it's worth the call. Email me personally for more information, but read back first.
Short version: Ordered it Dec 30, VIN date by Jan 10, delivered Feb 18. SWEET! 1,300 miles so far and she's perfect!
Good luck!
Ryan
My Order was placed with Ford 8/13/98 and I took delivery 10/15/98 (at Dealer 10/13). I did experience a Chevy truck owner get out of his Chevy, look at my F-150, and say "nice truck"!
Ya gotta LOVE IT!
Got mine for just under $100 over Invoice.
GOOD LUCK!
$100 over invoice (+holdback/reserve ect.) is pretty good.
Was trying to find a quote and delivery time on a
powerstroke and came across FordDirect.com.
http://www.forddirect.com.
Just my two cents worth, but I found direct quote
on a Superduty. It sounds like they have dealers
set up throughout the US.
I may be converting to the Ford F150 camp and I need to be able to identify the limited slip option in 1997 and 1998 used trucks.
Even Ford dealers seem reluctant to help in the identification of this option.
The id tag attached to one of the rear differential bolts read as follows:
S869B R
3L55 88 7G21
One or two of these numbers were a bit hard to read but I think that I am close.
Which numbers identify which rear end options?
Thanks
Thanks,
Holliwood
I looked in the owner's manual. There are a few pictures of the tachometer clearly displaying <FUEL DOOR on the face, but there don't seem to be any explanation of what it means.
Any other suggestions? Anyone?
leave it open and start up your truck.
--cdean's 2 cents
As a matter of fact, in the Edmund's review of the F150, they mention how ridiculous it seems to have the "fuel door" indicator pointing at the tachometer. Poor planning on the part of Ford. The indicator and arrow are, indeed, telling you which side your gas cap is located.
Been reading all the comments and still don't know what to buy. The 99 Silverado drove great (both ext cab and reg) F150 drove great too. My wife & I thought the ext cab was too big. Just right on the f150. What scares me about chevy is the the truck is a totally new design. And when it comes to manufacturing. (I know from experience) The bugs have to get worked out as they go along and that means we have to live with them until they do. If they kept the ck line and put in some of the new things theyre putting into the silverado I consider it in a heartbeat. A beautiful truck with classic lines. Anyway, need some input on the flare side. Both chevy and ford make it out of fiberglass. Think it will hold up ?
Still don't know which pu to buy. Chevy or Ford.