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Author
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Topic: Are Ford trucks reliable?
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masterrh
Journeyman Posts: 70
From:
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 12-19-2005 06:28 PM
   
Ok, I figured I'd double check myself before I go assuming. I'm going to assume that an older (1988-94) Ford Truck is not as reliable as a similar year Nissan or Toyota pickup. I have a 66 Mustang which is currently my daily driver and I really need to get a beater truck to use for commuting purposes (reliable, decent on gas). As nice as it would be to get an F150 or Ranger, I'm going to assume, based on my experiences with the Mustang, (and other Mustangs)that it's just not as reliable as an older import truck would be. Any comments or suggestions for a truck to look into? (Please I'm not looking for FORD advocates here, just honest opinions. I love ford which is why I have the stang, but in all my experiences its not the most reliable auto company).
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hwyman3
Gearhead Posts: 1646
From: Southern Maryland, USA
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 12-19-2005 07:48 PM
I will preface my statement with the fact that I do bleed Ford Blue, but I will answer your question with an honest response from experience. My dialy driver is a 91 F-150 and that truck has been extremely reliable. She has never let me down, yet. Around here, I still see tons of older Ford trucks still earning their keep each and every day. I don't see many 10-20 year old Toyota or Nissan trucks around. I also owned a 96 Ranger 4 cylinder that I used when I was a field technician for a compuer company in the Metro Washington DC area. In 4 years I ran up over 110,000 miles on it. The only reason I sold it was my wife at the time wanted to have a new car, and the Ranger was the logical vehicle to get rid of, since I wasn't doing field work anymore. I was sorry to let that little truck go. I've never owned a foreign truck, the closest I've ever come to a foreign vehicle was the Intrepid my wife had that was made in Canada. ------------------
Greg W.
M&M #3962 MCA #52100
2002 Laser Red GT Coupe The Highwayman 3
1991 F-150 XLT 4x2 5.0 Ole Faithful
Southern Maryland Mustang Club
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/MembersPics/hwyman3.html
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 45869
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-19-2005 08:20 PM
Ask yourself where are all these old 'reliable' import trucks? I sure as hell don't see them around here. They dissolve pretty quick up here in the snow belt.------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '70 Mustang Convertible - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 XL
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MLariviere
Moderator Posts: 4120
From: Biddeford,Me.USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-19-2005 08:23 PM
Want reliable? My truck is 11 years old and still runs like the day I bought it. It has 108k,and still has the original battery,shocks,complete exhaust,and lots of other wear parts. It is starting to rust,but not too bad. The tranny still shifts strong,even with plowing and towing. About all this thing has cost in ownership is tires,gas and oil changes. I would definitely buy another one. When was the last time you saw a wheel lift on a Toyota? A plowframe on a Honda Ridgeline? These trucks {HA!} are for candya$$es to haul their shopping bags from Target.  Just my.02 cents. IMHO buy American if you want a truck. You won't regret it.
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my4ateyour8
Journeyman Posts: 48
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Dec 2004
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posted 12-20-2005 12:13 AM
I am going to admit right off that as far as pickups go I'm usually a Chevy guy. (please don't send me hate mail anybody) But I have driven at least one of everything and worked on amost all of them. I like some things on Chevy better but I do like many things about Ford pickups. I don't really care for the Twin-I-Beam front suspension and some other things but I would put their reliability against any, I repeat, any, other make of pickup. The only bad Ford pickups I have had have been trashed or abused before I got them so I can't blame that on Ford. But after having worked on Toyotas, Nissans, Mazdas, and others I would rather work on a Ford. (The above statement does not include Ford fwd cars like the Contour though.)
A few years ago I had a boss that swore that his Toyota would out last my S10. Well after 180 k miles he had to replace his engine. So did I. But he had to put up with the tinny feel of the doors, the hood, the bed and the fenders. The 22R engine is usually pretty good but I don't see how it is any better than what American manufacturers can and have produced.
Buy a Ford. Or at least buy American. Start with one in good shape, take good care of it and you won't be dissapointed.
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ccode67
Gearhead Posts: 2995
From: douglasville,ga,usa
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 12-20-2005 08:02 AM
My last 3 F-150's all had over 200K miles on them when I sold them, 2 of them I know are still being driven daily now, one with over 300K on it. All had 302 and auto. One was overdrive, the other 2 non-overdrive.
1984, 1986, 1991Now let's talk about the 1966 and the 1965 F-100's I had, both were 240 6 cylinder and 3 speeds, both still running fine after 200K miles.
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73torinoqcode
Gearhead Posts: 434
From: Buffalo,NY,USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 12-20-2005 12:03 PM
My 79 F-250 with a 460 is still a beast today and all original. I have found this truck Very reliable. It has never not started or left me stranded. The only thing that you cant pass is a gas station but I will pay the few extra bucks a week in gas knowing I wont be crossing my fingers hoping it will start on a sub zero morning or break down on me while hauling my camper. I agree with Steve import trucks in my area do not exist they are all rotted away.
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masterrh
Journeyman Posts: 70
From:
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 12-20-2005 05:03 PM
Ok, well thank you for the input. I am going to stick with Ford then based on everyone's review. I am selling my stang and going to be looking to get a 6 cylinder ranger 4WD. Any tips when looking at these babies? I know it can vary depending on the user, but based on a casual driver who took basic car of his truck, at what mileage should I stay away from or know that I may be running into problem when looking at possible Rangers (150k, 180k, 200k?). Anything that I should look for that is common? (Rust locations, bad p/s pulley, etc). I know what to look for when checking out a new car, but I'm new to trucks so just wondering if there was anything that I should be paying attention to. Thanks!The mid-late 90's with the 4.0 V6 would be a good little truck. A guy at work had an 86 supercab 4x4 that went 300k.  He rebuilt the engine at 210k and just got tired of it and gave it away. Still runs today. The newer Rangers come with 8.8 rears,so you won't break that. I would look for rust at the usual places like cab corners,rocker panels and body mounts. If you get one with TTB I would toss the automatic hubs. That's about all I can think of. My next truck I would consider a Ranger,but I want to get a trailer so I can move my cars around. That's too much to ask a little truck. [This message has been edited by MLariviere (edited 12-20-2005).]
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 27499
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-20-2005 08:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by masterrh:
Ok, I figured I'd double check myself before I go assuming. I'm going to assume that an older (1988-94) Ford Truck is not as reliable as a similar year Nissan or Toyota pickup. I have a 66 Mustang which is currently my daily driver and I really need to get a beater truck to use for commuting purposes (reliable, decent on gas). As nice as it would be to get an F150 or Ranger, I'm going to assume, based on my experiences with the Mustang, (and other Mustangs)that it's just not as reliable as an older import truck would be. Any comments or suggestions for a truck to look into? (Please I'm not looking for FORD advocates here, just honest opinions. I love ford which is why I have the stang, but in all my experiences its not the most reliable auto company).
You've got to be kidding me right???? Honest opinion from a former dealer tech, service manager, used car manager, general manager. 30 years worth.
You can't buy a better truck than a Ford.
No brag, just fact!
The Jap trucks fall apart, rust, are expensive to repair, and do not hold their resale value.
Dealer and factory support is poor.
Also based on FACT! Do you think that the execs in Tokyo give a sh*t about some guy from Boaz Alabama who is having trouble with his Toyota mini pick up. I have found over the years that those who purchase a Jap truck (mini, not SUV) are looking for the best deal (cheap) on economical utility transportation without regard for the long term ramifications.
Almost every one that I had to apraise that was within two years of new was never worth near "book value" based on the market.
There was always some sort of factory supported back door give-a-way sale going on to move them.
We used to call them
mooch trucks" as the ones who bought them were......well, mooches.
They learned their lessons well.
Just look at a Jap dealers used car lot and see how many they have. Very few.
It's not that the owners are so happy with them or they last so long. The owners don't trade them back in on another one.
They have almost zero brand loyalty and that is backed up by JD Powers and associates surveys.
My crew cab F-350 is now 10 years old and has over 130K on it. Mostly towing a 40 foot two car trailer.
It too as Mikes has the original Motorcraft battery and I took it shopping yesterday.
It started right up in -7 degree weather.
How many Jap mooch trucks can brag of that. ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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68F100
Gearhead Posts: 2681
From: Burlington, Iowa
Registered: Oct 99
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posted 12-20-2005 08:42 PM
One more vote for Ford Trucks. Like I would vote otherwise, but...I own 2 Ford trucks right now. I had another, but the "ex" got it. The company I work for has 5 Ford vans. We haul just about anything we can stuff into them. Heavy stuff too. The E-250 with 4.6 Triton V8 that I drive weighs about 8,000lbs with all the tools and materials that are normally in it. And it regularly pulls a trailer with heavy equipment on it. It has about 86k miles on it and has only had maintenance and tires as far as work done to it. The rest of our fleet are all straight 6's with mileages ranging from 90k to a couple with almost 200k. We also have an F-350 bucket truck 460/4 spd. Runs like a top. My previous company had dozens of Ford Rangers. Some v6/autos and some 4 banger/5 speeds. And we beat the piss out of those things. Never was stranded though. I'd love to find a decent little Ranger to add to my personal fleet.
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MLariviere
Moderator Posts: 4120
From: Biddeford,Me.USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-20-2005 09:36 PM
The mid-late 90's with the 4.0 V6 would be a good little truck. A guy at work had an 86 supercab 4x4 that went 300k. He rebuilt the engine at 210k and just got tired of it and gave it away. Still runs today.The newer Rangers come with 8.8 rears,so you won't break that. I would look for rust at the usual places like cab corners,rocker panels and body mounts. If you get one with TTB I would toss the automatic hubs. That's about all I can think of. My next truck I would consider a Ranger,but I want to get a trailer so I can move my cars around. That's too much to ask a little truck.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 45869
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-21-2005 06:38 PM
"Are Ford trucks reliable?"Maybe this was a trick question...  ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '70 Mustang Convertible - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 XL
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427Fastback
Gearhead Posts: 383
From: N.Vancouver.B.C
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 12-21-2005 07:07 PM
I am way to opinionated and brutaly honest for this thread.....Proud owner of a F250 Ford (Diesel) ------------------
68 Fastback 427MR 4 spd.Deluxe interior,8000 tach,140 speedo,am/fm,tilt.
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masterrh
Journeyman Posts: 70
From:
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 12-21-2005 11:29 PM
Haha I almost feel silly for asking that now, but you have to understand my background as coming from a daily driver a 66 stang. Granted its 40 years old.. WEll as soon as its sold I'll get a
that 4.0v 6 liter Ranger mentioned earlier (4WD manual) and I'll switch to this forum. And then as soon as I graduate college (6 months!!) and get a real job (Fairfax county police) I can start donating to this site since I practically owe it my life. Thanks again everyone.Ryan www.cardomain.com/id/r3dfive [This message has been edited by masterrh (edited 12-21-2005).]
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mustangs68
Moderator Posts: 25280
From: Buckroe Beach Va MCA#39406 M&M #12 Member Mustang Club of Tidewater
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-26-2005 09:07 AM
Another,
Son has a '92 Ranger,he's the 3rd owner at 325,000 miles 90% hi way driven.Original engine ( I can't believe it) with documention,every receipt from oil changes up to repairs. He just replaced the Auto Transmission just before Christmas,looking for another 100,000+ miles out of it,then I hope he gives it to me  after he paint it,the paint job a little faded Sam
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GTRocks
Gearhead Posts: 4341
From: Lusby, MD
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 12-26-2005 02:40 PM
I had a '99 F150 and put only 40k on it before selling it for the Expedition. I never took it back to the dealer after it left. The Expedition now has 58k. I've had to replace the idler arm (binding) and I have a stalling issue with it now that I'm chasing, but it has never left me stranded other than for a dead battery that I was milking (thought it was the kids leaving interior lights on). My own fault. I like these trucks so much I just bought another F150. I bought a '98 supercab 4x4. It has 78k on it and runs perfectly. Previous owner had nothing but praise for it and only sold it because he wanted a diesel. I fully expect to put 150-200k on this one.I have one friend that has an old Toyota truck from the early '90s. He really likes it, but when it does need repair, he gets bent over. One major factor for owning a domestic is the cost of parts. He pays about 3x what we pay for the same part, and sometimes he has to wait weeks to get it. He rarely uses it as a truck too, which is about the only reason I think it still exists. His is also about the only older foreign truck in the area. They just don't last. I agree with the others here....older Fords are all over the place around here!
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Scott H
Gearhead Posts: 901
From: Chicago area
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 01-04-2006 04:53 PM
My current 98 F150 has 140k on it, I just replaced the starter yesterday. Wife keeps asking me when I want to start looking at new trucks, and I just ask 'why?'. This one looks great, runs great, and has been paid for long ago.I had a 92 Ranger 2wd 5pd that I would have no hesitation about getting another one, except for the temptation to put a '36 Ford truck body on one. All the modern conveniences with all the classic good looks!
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Whitson
Gearhead Posts: 110
From: Western Canada
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 01-05-2006 10:25 AM
As part of my job, I look after a fleet of over 200 Ford F150's, 250's and 350's. Most are 1998's but they range right up to 2005's. The 4.6 engines are doing very well. The 5.4's and V10's are using oil. We have no V6's. Aside from tires, brakes, and the wiper arms working loose constantly, it has been very trouble free fleet. And they are abused.
So far we've replaced about 1/4 of the batteries, 20 alternators, maybe 4 starters, 1 transmission.
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masterrh
Journeyman Posts: 70
From:
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 01-09-2006 05:56 PM
Just thought I'd throw this out here I'm selling my Mustang, but willing to lower the price in trader for an older F150 or Ranger (4WD manny trans only). Thanks!http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4603179400&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fmotors.search.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3Ffrom%3DR40%26satitle%3D4603179400%2509%26fvi%3D1
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