I am going tomorrow to look at a very nice 2004 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 Crew Cab (long bed) tomorrow. From the photos, it looks very nice inside and out. It does have the 5.4L "Triton" V8 engine and I know that they had some issues with them. Not sure if it is a 2-valve or a 3-valve version. The truck - allegedly - has only 57.000 miles on it. The price is a little high at 12k - but it's better than paying twice that much for a 2010 model with more than 100,000 miles. It has a four-speed automatic transmission.
It will be my "daily driver" for another month or so - until our Mazda CX-30 arrives at the port in mid-November. We moved back to the USA from Germany last week and it takes about 60 days for our vehicle to be shipped back home. After the Mazda is here, the F-150 would be a "knock around" vehicle and to pick up yard supplies at Home Depot, etc. It uses too much gas to drive it all the time.
P.S. The truck has a clean CarFax report and - from the photos - it appears as though it's been well maintained. Any thoughts on that vintage of truck? I used to have a 2004 Silverado many years ago and I liked it, but I think the Ford has a nicer interior. Should I pass this one on by for a newer model F-150 that has a lot more miles on it?
Thanks for any replies!
Engine and transmission problems are common on that model:
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/F-150/2004/
2004 would be the 3-valve version.
@chucktobias -- I have heard a lot of bad things about the 5.4L - but I have also seen comments from a lot of people who have owned one for several years without any issues. I did end up buying a 2004 F-150 in excellent condition that has the 5.4L (I think it is the 3-valve version).
It only has 56,000 original miles - I have the service history of the truck. The interior is almost immaculate and the body & paint are great. It only has a few nicks and scratches - no dents or rust. I put it up on a hoist and the underside looks like a truck that's only 5 or 6 years old - not one that is more than two decades old. No leaks visible and only some very minor surface rust on the frame. ( It has the original exhaust system. A new muffler might be in order next year, though. ) I have a feeling that it was garaged most of its life.
When it comes time to change the plugs, I am definitely going to find a shop that has the know-how to deal with the spark plug issues! ( A friend of mine has a 1999 Ford F-250 that he bought new and it's still going strong. His has the 5.4L engine too. )
Good luck!