Faults:

The constant velocity joints were going bad in the rear drive shaft, when I bought the truck. I replaced the drive shaft with a modified drive shaft with U joints. No other problems so far.

General Comments:

This truck is truly a gem. I feel like I found the genie in the bottle.

I had purchased the truck from an 83-year-old man in my neighborhood. He was the only owner of the vehicle.

The engine was replaced, (due to a seizure caused by a cracked oil pan), with a fully rebuilt engine block and heads at 64,500 miles.

He also replaced the air conditioner compressor, dryer, condenser and converted to new R134A.

The list seems endless, as to what has been replaced on this vehicle within 1,800 miles prior to my purchase of it. The truck was treated with a new paint job, (Gray, but new), four Pirelli Scorpion tires, front and rear shocks, front and rear breaks, muffler and tailpipe, (stainless with resonator), emergency break cables, all belts and water hoses, battery, transmission filter and oil, and finally wiper blades.

I forgot to mention it was inspected 3 days before I bought it.

All this for $1,700.00 and $222.00 tax, title and transfer.

Faults:

Every seal leaked when I purchased the car.

Drive shaft boot blew out.

Power steering leaked.

Brakes were worn beyond belief.

New Alternator due to excessive Bass from car stereo.

Fuel Pressure Regulator goes out after 160,000.

Driver seat is torn.

Interior panels are damaged due to abuse.

Headliner damaged, needs to be replaced.

Injectors get clogged with rust... need to replace fuel rail.

General Comments:

I installed headers and a custom exhaust system and gained several horsepower.

Turns on a dime!!!

3.73 gears with limited-slip is the way to go!

Car runs a bit rough on the highway due to being top-heavy.

I don't know what it red-lines at, but I've had it up to 6500 with no problems. (I've heard it red lines around 5500)

Runs the quarter mile in 16.6 @ 89 m.p.h.

Faults:

4WD engage motor on transfer case failed at 110,000 miles. Repairman indicated they normally fail at 60,000.

Lower ball joint replaced at 240,000.

A4LD transmission lost 1st and 2nd gears at 120,000. Repairman indicated this was common and due to inferior part inserted by Ford manufacturing. Started having new trouble at 240,000.

Construction of rear fender well areas don't allow for good repair of rust. Ford has welded the body to the fender well blocking access to the back side of the body for repair.

General Comments:

I have enjoyed this vehicle immensely. It has generally performed well when asked and has taken me many places I wasn't sure it would. In Wyoming, I drove off-road through bumper deep snow and the truck was firm footed the whole time. If the tires have something to bite this truck moved.

I recently moved to Norway with my job and imported the vehicle with me. I had a full engine inspection done prior to importing to identify potential problems. A compression showed that all cylinders were still good and compression was balanced across all cylinders. Mechanic suggested it should be good for many miles to come. I'll hate losing this vehicle when the time comes and think Ford has made a mistake in discontinuing it.

I may attempt to locate another in the future to purchase.

Faults:

I will start out by saying my first problem was when I had to replace the valve cover gaskets at around 147,000 when I bought it. Then the fan clutch was broken, thermostat, exhaust manifold and most recent a blown brake line.

General Comments:

This truck has an underpowered engine, but it is pretty quick for that small size engine it has.