Faults:

Ball Joints at 145K and again at 180K.

Front brakes wore out twice, but the rear drum-brakes have never needed service as long as I've owned the truck.

Manual trans shifter has a minor problem with an semi-internal bushing... shifter is very loose.

Driver side electric window motor burnt out at 170K.

Steering has a lot of play.

New front gas tank at 165K. (Top seal leaked).

Clutch parts has needed service 3 times:

Clutch Slave cylinder at 135K.

Clutch Master Cylinder at 155K.

Clutch Master Cylinder at 170K.

Idler pulley squeals in cold weather even after replacement.

Idle-Air Control Motor needed replacement at about 155K. This was cheap and easy to fix at home at about $18. You'll know it's this part that needs fixing because you will experience a poor engine idle, leading eventually to stalling out.

General Comments:

It's been an amazingly good buy. I paid $5000 for it in 2002, and now I'm thinking about selling it for $3000 because now I live in a big city where a truck is inconvenient to park.

Over the last 5 years I've beat this truck senseless. It's a 2WD, but I have taken it on two-track trails through Michigan's Upper Peninsula many times. My Ford has refused to die even after I have repeatedly tried to kill it. The shocks and springs should be completely smashed after my abuse, but the suspension has never needed any service at all.

I go to the same mechanic all the time, and do my own basic maintenance at home.

If you do a little bit of inexpensive preventative maintenance your truck will be tip-top right through 200,000 miles.

It's a gas hog, though, I must admit. I guess that's why it has two tanks.

It burns one quart of oil each oil change... nothing out of the ordinary.

It has never leaked any fluids at all. The oil seals have always been tight.

Nothing beyond normal wear and tear. This truck has never needed huge, expensive, major-engine repairs.

I must say, however, that at high miles, this truck is a dog. Climbing hills, you lag behind soccer moms and small cars. The acceleration is terrible, but the towing capacity is great.

I have lived in the harsh Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where winter beats on cars horribly. This truck has handled each winter amazingly. It's 2WD, and all you need is a few sandbags in the back to get going through the deep snow (even on hills).

Faults:

Water Pump

Window Motors

Clutch.

General Comments:

One good Truck. Only general repairs have been needed with 160000 miles showing. Truck still runs like new. I plan to put another 100000 miles on the motor.

Faults:

The universal joints in the rear drive line were bad when I got it $50. Throttle position sensor (PAIN TO CHANGE BECAUSE IT IS UNDER THE THROTTLE BODY) $80. Radius arm bushings $480. I have had a few problems, but this truck has NEVER left me stranded.

General Comments:

This truck is seriously tough. I have raced it, off roaded it, hauled a camper on it and it takes everything I throw at it and more.

The only complaint is it sucks down gas 10-12 in town 16-18 on the highway.

I can say I have raced other trucks and mine is one of the faster ones. I will be doing some work soon to make it faster, but here are races I have had and how they turned out (just for anyone wondering how these perform)

1995 Chevy ext cab sb 2wd 5.7 auto. Ran neck and neck up to 60 where I pulled away this was a non-vortec truck.

1996 Chevy ext cab sb 4wd vortec 5.7 auto. This Chevy emberrassed me. It only had dual exhaust for a mod.

1998 Dodge Ram reg cab long bed 2wd 5.2 auto. This was a very close race with the dodge backing off at 70 I don't know who would have won. I had a nose on him.

2002 Ford F150 crew cab sb 4wd. 5.4 auto. I pulled ahead at the bottom of my gears, but he caught up at the top of his. At 80 we were still neck and neck with his nose ahead of mine.

1995 F150 5.0 ext cab sb 4wd auto. Blew his doors off. Anyone who says a 5.0 and 5.8 perform closely is wrong.

1989 F150 5.0 ext cab lb 4x4 manual. I beat this truck, but not as badly as I had expected.

1990 F250 7.5 ext cab lb flatbed 4x4 manual. I smoked this thing at every speed. He was upset.

1981 Chevy reg cab sb 4x4 manual. Very close race. He blew my doors off 0-30 but by 50 I had the lead.

1989 Pontiac Firebird 5.0 auto. Take a guess.

1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue 3.8 auto. Beat me badly.

I just wanted everyone to know how this actually performs from a non biased point of view. My truck hauls my camper nicely and I love it. I will drive it until the wheels fall off.