Faults:
I have had my F150 Flareside 4x4 for about 11 years, I am the 3rd owner.
I met the 2nd owner at the dealer, he was trading in the Flareside for a new Ford 4X4. He had not planned on trading the truck in, but the dealer gave him too good of a deal to pass up. He knew the original owner, and as far as he knew, all was stock except the dual pipes from the cat. converter.
The truck has an automatic tranny, 5.8 liter V8, A/C, automatic locking hubs/shift to 4x4 on the go.
I have never replaced a U joint, ball joint, gas tank, or transmission.
I do use synth. blend oil and trans. fluid. I change oil and filter every 3k miles, I have changed filter and trans. fluid twice, and I regularly grease where there are certs. I do not neglect my truck, this is like not feeding or taking good care of a child, bad; this will happen if you do not take care of what you have.
I have had the A/C upgraded after losing charge about 10 years ago, it is still cooling great.
I had a fuel pump high pressure hose blow out, about 10 years ago, no problem since.
Last thing I changed was just because I had the time and money to buy and install a Jasper built 5.8 engine, the old motor was not using oil, it has a minor oil leak at the oil pan gasket, but I never had to add oil between changes. She had 206,000 miles on her though.
I really have been blessed with the truck.
General Comments:
I have been really happy with my truck, I use it daily, and fortunately only have to drive it 14 miles a day.
I would not be afraid to take my truck across county, but I would hate to due to the Jasper motor now only gets me 10 miles per gallon city and 13 miles per gallon hwy. With the original motor, I got up to 17 miles per gallon on the hwy.
15th Nov 2011, 16:01
343,000 miles on Nov, 15 2011, oil pan is rusting away, replaced radial arm bushings twice, and is in need again.
Tie rods need replaced, and the water pump was replaced at 189,000 miles.
Rear gas tank rusted away at 200,000 miles, didn't repair it, have two tanks.
New heater core last year, and this is the third time I have had to replace the brakes and rotors.
This truck has been the best vehicle a person could possibly buy. I thank my lucky stars they didn't have the Chevy 1500 I originally was looking to purchase in 1994.