'03 F250 5.4l

[RedSox4Life]

I'm going to look at one for sale tomorrow. I've always been a chevy/gmc guy and don't know much about fords, is there anything I should know about to look out for with these trucks/motors/trans. etc.? Again it's an '03 F250 XLT 4x4, 5.4l motor with 100k. Asking price is right under $10k

[KrayzKajun]

is it reg cab,ext cab or crewcab???
short bed or longbed??

[TXNSLighting]

Need alot moe details. That is going to be a pre 3v engine. They are pretty good engines. not speed demons. Tow decently. Pretty problem free trucks. depending on the cab and bed configuration, that price could be a bit high. Trucks are fantastic.

[shovelracer]

They are OK. 2003's had a problem with the spark plugs ejecting from the engine, and 2004's have a problem with them breaking in the engine. For my use the 5.4 is low on power, but it is fine when not under heavy loads.

[supercuts]

if you read "what would you pay for this truck" thread you'll see a mint 01 with 80K miles for $8500 asking price and people are telling him its not worth anymore than $6000. since people dont give very good advice on here look at what trucks are listed for in your area and use that thing inside your head. dealers are hurting but not giving them away, low ball'em and see what happens

[RedSox4Life]

It's extended cab, short bed, sport model. All black, monochromatic grill, it's a nice looking truck. CD player, leather, blah blah blah.Probobly important to note it IS NOT for work, at least not primarily. As far as value, he's asking a little below what KBB.com values it for. I'm mostly concerned about any known mechanical issues, as 100k is certainly not a new truck, and as i said I'm new to fords.

Thank you for the tip about the plugs, do you know if this is something that was fixed in a recall?

[KRtraxx]

My brother sold for a Ford dealer for years..And said that spark plug issue was not much of an issue normally after 2001 models..If you have new plugs put in it make sure you have someone reputable do it.Proper plug torque is critical on these.Have had 3 5.4s with the 2v heads.Two had close to 200K miles without issues..Did have one that warped an exhaust manifold and it had to be surfaced down to repair it.Other than that no issues..Ball joints might be getting close to change time at 100K.Diesels were less miles than this but the 5.4 is way lighter so should last longer on the ball joints.
Change your tranny fluid,your transfer case fluid and your power steering fluid....You should have a truck that will go 250K without issues..Not a hot rod by any means..But a good truck.........

[TXNSLighting]

Yeh the whole spark plug thing was an issue on early v10's, 5.4's never really had this problem.

[Jerry Lee]

idk if its still a problem in the 03s but i have a buddy who has a 2000 model and his front end squeeks, the drag ling was bad and so was the lower A arm. i dont know if thats common but ive heard fords had a problem wit that.

[wanabe]

There is a difference in the 03 5.4! I have a late 03 f250 with the 5.4, 76,000 miles and not one prob. The early 03 had the spark plug problems.

[RedSox4Life]

So I went to look at this truck, it really is a nice truck but I just can't see spending $10k on something with 100k miles. All the options in the world dont really mean much if the truck is breaking down left and right.

The good news is, while I was there I found another 03 F250 xlt, this one with the four full sized doors, v10 with 50k miles for $13k. It doesn't have all the nice interior options but it doesn't really bother me. it idled a little rough so i asked them to check it out and fix whatever it is, and I'll take it. With the low miles I figured whatever it is it cant be anything serious.

What truck would you guys have gone with?

03 f250 xlt, 4x4, extended cab, 6ft bed, 5.4l v8, loaded options, 100k miles, $10,000
-or-
03 f250 xlt, 4x4, crew cab, 6ft bed, 6.5L?? v10, bare bones interior, 50k miles, $13,000

Please keep in mind this WILL NOT be a work truck