HI Scotty;
I bought a 2014 F150 FX4 3.5 ecoboost a year ago, a fleet truck with 262,000 highway miles (confirmed). Truck is well maintained body and interior look practically new. BUT, the engine needs to be replaced, no doubt about that after two mechanics scanned it and examined it.
Should I spend the 14k to have a Ford reman engine and turbos replaced OR just buy a new 2025 Ford Ranger, which I like. I can't sell the truck as it is but the KBB price on it even with the milelage is 16k. Is it worth it to fix it and then sell it, buy a new truck with increased insurance costs, or drive it off a cliff?
Your the best,
Phil in Montana
Should I spend the 14k to have a Ford reman engine and turbos replaced OR just buy a new 2025 Ford RangerYou have other options available to you other than using remans or buying a new Ranger. For example, you could buy another used truck
Should I spend the 14k to have a Ford reman engine and turbos replacedNo. A reman engine, 2 turbos and labor would easily surpass half the vehicles value. I wouldn't.
the KBB price on it even with the milelage is 16kKKB's list the top value as $11,000 so the truck isn't worth 16 grand. In good condition with 262K miles the truck is worth, at most, $11,000 .
Drive it off a cliff and get the Ranger.
You would be sorely mistaken if you were to do that. The new Ranger has the GM-Ford 10-speed automatic transmission, which has been nothing but a disaster, with both Ford and GM having issued recall after recall to "fix" stuff that's in that transmission. The transmission was so poorly developed, both Ford and GM say they will never work together on any joint venture ever again.
I wouldn't touch any new Ford with a 10-foot pole because of Ford's horrendous quality control.
Should I spend the 14k to have a Ford reman engine and turbos replaced
This is why you should have had a mechanic go over the vehicle before purchase. You would have saved yourself that headache.
The transmission that's in your current F-150 was based on a ZF-designed transmission. It's a 6R80. Ford received a license to build it in 2011. Earlier models of that transmission tended to have lead frames go bad. Ford issued a recall affecting that transmission. Ford didn't recall the lead frame, they recalled them because if the transmission lost contact with the output shaft speed sensor, it would go into 1st gear. If you're on the highway and the transmission loses contact with the output shaft speed sensor, the wheels could lock up. Ford did a software update so the transmission won't do that.
If you have enough mechanical aptitude, you can replace a lead frame in your driveway. The transmission's valve body needs taken out to replace the lead frame. You need a torque wrench.
If the transmission fluid has been changed consistently, and it still shifts good, you might consider it.
Drive it off a cliff and get the Ranger.
But that's just me. If ya really love the truck get second opinions, and keep lookin into it.
Lot of people I know love the Rangers, I'd just cut my losses and go with that.
Additionally you could keep it to fix and resell or part it out. All comes down to your situation with the F150. But my money's on the Ranger either way.