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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
 
| My husband wrecked and totaled one of our vehicles this past weekend, so we are somewhat frantically searching for a new one. The top contender at the moment is a 2008 F250 with the 5.4 gas engine and about 89,000 miles. It's a King Ranch, so pretty much almost every option and it looks immaculate from the pictures. It's priced at $25,400.
Here's where I have some questions. My mom has a 2008 Ford F250 with 50,000 miles on it and she has had tons of issues with weird things. Like right now, the tow/haul isn't working. She's had problems with the 4x4 not engaging, electrical issues...just all kinds of really random issues for a truck that really hasn't been used that much and definitely isn't abused. Is hers just a bit of a lemon, or are these kinds of problems common? Is there anything I should be aware of before looking at this one? It's about 6 hours away, so not one we can just swing by and check out. |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
  
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | My SO had a work truck that was a 2008 King Ranch. I hated that thing! It was not comfy at all and it had tons of issues. I will have to get with him to see what all was wrong with it. His was a diesel and not gas so that may have played an issue.
That is my only experience with them though. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | Make sure it has EGR delete.
I have a 2006 F-250 super duty. Mine has been bulletproofed, the guy had spent over $4,000 on tires and rims before I bought it lol. I have absolutely no issues with mine. I looked at several others and wouldn't even consider them if they didn't have the EGR delete.
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | My hubby is a diesel mechanic and will tell you that the 6.4 engine in the 2008's are nothing but trouble.
eta: saw it's a gas motor.... I still wouldn't touch it with that gas engine either. Fuel mileage will SUCK.
Edited by TwistedK 2015-05-19 1:08 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| Just a note - this is a gas engine, not a diesel. |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | hoofs_in_motion - 2015-05-19 1:06 PM
Make sure it has EGR delete.
I have a 2006 F-250 super duty. Mine has been bulletproofed, the guy had spent over $4,000 on tires and rims before I bought it lol. I have absolutely no issues with mine. I looked at several others and wouldn't even consider them if they didn't have the EGR delete.
It's really the 2004-2006 with the 6.0 motors you want to have bullet proofed. The 6.4 engines are a whole nother ball of wax. |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | F.O.R.D. Found. On. Road. Dead.LMAO. We had one with the 6.0. Spent thousands to get it right, only for it to break again. Sent it down the road. |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | http://www.f150online.com/forums/v8-engines/292225-5-4l-reliability-question.html |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| ~BINGO~ - 2015-05-19 1:12 PM F.O.R.D. Found. On. Road. Dead.LMAO. We had one with the 6.0. Spent thousands to get it right, only for it to break again. Sent it down the road.
Yeah, Ford is not my first choice but it's the only one we've found so far that we agree on and has what we want. I drive a 97 Ford Expedition right now that we bought from my parents and it has the 5.4 engine in it. I have zero complaints about it and drive it everyday.
So our second choice is a 2008 Duramax - any opinions on that? It's $6k more, but I personally would prefer a diesel to haul with. |
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Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | TwistedK - 2015-05-19 1:08 PM hoofs_in_motion - 2015-05-19 1:06 PM Make sure it has EGR delete.
I have a 2006 F-250 super duty. Mine has been bulletproofed, the guy had spent over $4,000 on tires and rims before I bought it lol. I have absolutely no issues with mine. I looked at several others and wouldn't even consider them if they didn't have the EGR delete.
It's really the 2004-2006 with the 6.0 motors you want to have bullet proofed. The 6.4 engines are a whole nother ball of wax.
I guess I should have read better, 6.4 are junk. I wouldn't touch one with a 40ft pole lol |
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Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | MissouriJen - 2015-05-19 2:15 PM ~BINGO~ - 2015-05-19 1:12 PM F.O.R.D. Found. On. Road. Dead.LMAO. We had one with the 6.0. Spent thousands to get it right, only for it to break again. Sent it down the road. Yeah, Ford is not my first choice but it's the only one we've found so far that we agree on and has what we want. I drive a 97 Ford Expedition right now that we bought from my parents and it has the 5.4 engine in it. I have zero complaints about it and drive it everyday.
So our second choice is a 2008 Duramax - any opinions on that? It's $6k more, but I personally would prefer a diesel to haul with.
We are a Ford family, so I don't have to say anything else about that. I would choose a diesel over a gasser if I had the funds to allow it.
We have the 6.0 and 7.3 and we love both. Our 6.0 is nearing 250k and the 7.3 is nearing 220k. No issues, but my husband tends to them often and knows that he is doing. The 6.0 just requires a little more love, but the motor itself is a beast. I have no personal experience with the 6.4 but we see a lot of them on track and I have a friend that loves hers. |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | Murphy - 2015-05-19 1:24 PM
MissouriJen - 2015-05-19 2:15 PM ~BINGO~ - 2015-05-19 1:12 PM F.O.R.D. Found. On. Road. Dead.LMAO. We had one with the 6.0. Spent thousands to get it right, only for it to break again. Sent it down the road. Yeah, Ford is not my first choice but it's the only one we've found so far that we agree on and has what we want. I drive a 97 Ford Expedition right now that we bought from my parents and it has the 5.4 engine in it. I have zero complaints about it and drive it everyday.
So our second choice is a 2008 Duramax - any opinions on that? It's $6k more, but I personally would prefer a diesel to haul with.
We have the 6.0 and 7.3 and we love both. Our 6.0 is nearing 250k and the 7.3 is nearing 220k. No issues, but my husband tends to them often and knows that he is doing. The 6.0 just requires a little more love, but the motor itself is a beast. I have no personal experience with the 6.4 but we see a lot of them on track and I have a friend that loves hers.
We have a 6.0 too with 96,000 miles on it. It is not bullet proofed. I do agree that they require more meticulous upkeep, but with hubby being a diesel mechanic, she gets the love. Pulling wise I LOVE the power. |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | MissouriJen - 2015-05-19 1:15 PM
~BINGO~ - 2015-05-19 1:12 PM F.O.R.D. Found. On. Road. Dead.LMAO. We had one with the 6.0. Spent thousands to get it right, only for it to break again. Sent it down the road.
Yeah, Ford is not my first choice but it's the only one we've found so far that we agree on and has what we want. I drive a 97 Ford Expedition right now that we bought from my parents and it has the 5.4 engine in it. I have zero complaints about it and drive it everyday.
So our second choice is a 2008 Duramax - any opinions on that? It's $6k more, but I personally would prefer a diesel to haul with.
08 Duramax's are GREAT.... We sold our 05 with 243,000 miles on it and it had a cracked head gasket... ONLY thing we did was the EGR delete and chipped it. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2335
Location: IL | I have a f150 with the 5.4 gas engine and I (knock on wood) have not had any issues with it. I think it's a great engine. We do have a F350 with the 6.0 motor and we did have to fix all the problems with it. If I were you and I don't know what your pulling, I would want a diesel just cause of the fuel ecomony and towing power, but those 5.4 can pull a lot too. I get about 17.3 miles to the gallon on highway going under 80 mph cause that's when it really starts eating gas. I'm also not towing anything. With the F350 6.0 we get about 13 mpq towing a fully loaded 3 horse slant with living quarters. From my understanding all Diesels have issues wether it be FORD, Dodge, or chevy.  |
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 Special Somebody
Posts: 3951
Location: Finally horseback again.... | If you are going to go Ford, do yourself a favor and find a clean 7.3.
They are hard to find but well worth it. We have three, just bought another one today.
Fuel mileage on a 250 4x4 runs about 16-18 without a programmer, 22-24 with.
Plus they run forever
We had a 6.0 that was pushed off the wrecker at the dealership after one of many trips for repair, we left it with them and traded for a 2000 7.3, that truck has almost 300k now and still runs perfect |
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | MissouriJen - 2015-05-19 11:15 AM
~BINGO~ - 2015-05-19 1:12 PM F.O.R.D. Found. On. Road. Dead.LMAO. We had one with the 6.0. Spent thousands to get it right, only for it to break again. Sent it down the road.
Yeah, Ford is not my first choice but it's the only one we've found so far that we agree on and has what we want. I drive a 97 Ford Expedition right now that we bought from my parents and it has the 5.4 engine in it. I have zero complaints about it and drive it everyday.
So our second choice is a 2008 Duramax - any opinions on that? It's $6k more, but I personally would prefer a diesel to haul with.
No question. I'd go with the duramax. We have an 04. Awesome, awesome truck. Haven't had a lick of issues with it. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 232
Location: Winging It in KY | Just be aware that at 100K you will need to change the spark plugs. The 5.4L has a spark plug in it that is notorious for breaking off in the head when they try to change them. Poor engineering on the style of plug. The porcelain will break off at the neck of the plug. So unless you have a really good mechanic that knows how to properly take them out, you might be looking at a very large repair bill. The plugs will have to be extracted from the head. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 396
Location: Iowa | I have a 2012 F250 Gas and I love it, never has an issue and pulls like a dream with my 3 horse...hopefully your mom's was just a lemon. |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | In 2008, as you have stated, they had/have the 5.4 L gas engine. The problem with that engine is as they get any amount of miles on them (around 100k and up), the majority of them have cam phasers go out, which is a very expensive fix. At auto auctions, we have heard they automatically red light those trucks because of that problem, even if they aren't exhibiting any symptoms.
Someone else mentioned spark plugs; I've not noticed an issue with spark plugs, but what we noticed is they have ignition coils/boots sitting right on top of the plugs. If you get ANY moisture in them at all, be prepared for a miss and the check engine light coming on. If you replace the coil or dry it out, it will work good again, but we have gotten moisture in them so many times it isn't funny anymore.
I love Fords and drive one every day, but if I were you I'd go with a 6.0 liter gas engine in a GMC or Chevy or with a 5.7 Hemi in the Dodge...you will be happier longer. I'm a big proponent of the Cummins diesel engine in the Dodge as long as they are the 5.9L, and not the 6.7L, they have too many emission controls limiting the gas mileage and the pulling power. You can buy the Dodges with the 5.9L Cummins around the price range you are looking, and possibly a little less (we have one for sale right now for less than the Ford you are looking at). JMHO.
Edited by mtcanchazer 2015-05-19 3:17 PM
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317
Location: MS | Is yours flex fuel? I have a 2012 F250 gas and I hate it. Beautiful truck, it pulls like crap.
I traded my 2003 F250 for it. I wish I had kept it.
I'm about to sell it and buy a Dodge. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| We have 6.4 and a 7.3... absolutely love our 7.3 although your not going to be able to find a 7.3 under 100,000 miles and if you do, chances are it won't be for sale! Our 6.4 is a beast... that thing can be loaded down and still pull like nothing is behind it. Unfortunately, it has problems, very poor fuel millage and at 180,000 miles we had to do about 4,000 worth of work replacing injectors, plugs, etc. I would choose a 6.4 over a 6.0 though... if the 6.0 hasn't had the EGR valves and cooler maintained or replaced it's going to give you lots of problems, same with the oil cooler, injectors, and the turbo, all those things are notorious for giving issues on the 6.0. Order of preference would be 7.3, 6.7, 6.4, and then the 6.0. I'll take a ford over chevy and dodge any day!! |
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What Name?
Posts: 1994
| DO NOT get a 6.0. I sold Fords.. even Ford lots cant sell them. 7.3s rock
As far as the 6.2s and 6.4s they're alright. But Gadgets on my vehicles have a iffy shelf life, fords included. Sensors and all that. It seems the more they put on them, the more they tear up. I like base model trucks myself, with basic power windows and door locks. Love my Ford trucks. I had a 2002 and a 1999 F250. LOVED them both. One was gas, one diesel.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| mtcanchazer - 2015-05-19 3:14 PM In 2008, as you have stated, they had/have the 5.4 L gas engine. The problem with that engine is as they get any amount of miles on them (around 100k and up), the majority of them have cam phasers go out, which is a very expensive fix. At auto auctions, we have heard they automatically red light those trucks because of that problem, even if they aren't exhibiting any symptoms.
Someone else mentioned spark plugs; I've not noticed an issue with spark plugs, but what we noticed is they have ignition coils/boots sitting right on top of the plugs. If you get ANY moisture in them at all, be prepared for a miss and the check engine light coming on. If you replace the coil or dry it out, it will work good again, but we have gotten moisture in them so many times it isn't funny anymore.
I love Fords and drive one every day, but if I were you I'd go with a 6.0 liter gas engine in a GMC or Chevy or with a 5.7 Hemi in the Dodge...you will be happier longer. I'm a big proponent of the Cummins diesel engine in the Dodge as long as they are the 5.9L, and not the 6.7L, they have too many emission controls limiting the gas mileage and the pulling power. You can buy the Dodges with the 5.9L Cummins around the price range you are looking, and possibly a little less (we have one for sale right now for less than the Ford you are looking at). JMHO.
We have had the coils go out in the Expedition I drive, we started out fixing one at a time, but just recently replaced the last 4. I am very familiar with what it's like when they need fixed haha.
I feel like I'm having a really hard time finding what I'm looking for. I only have 2 non-negotiables (4 doors and leather, but I am pretty picky) , but it must be like everything else - when you're not looking you see what you want all the time, as soon as you start looking they vanish! Finding what I want under the $30k mark is not going so well! It doesn't help that we basically have to find a truck this week or we need to figure something else out since we only get a rental until Saturday. |
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Expert
Posts: 1314
Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | I am a Ford guy with a 7.3 and a 6.0 and have not had a problem with ether one. But for the $ 6,000 more I would buy the diesel. If you are going to use it to pull with you will be much happier. But just remember that all the diesel will have issues with the emmisions that are on them sooner or later. |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| If youre going gas buy the 6.8l v10. |
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 A Gopher's Worst Nightmare
Posts: 5094
Location: Southern Oregon | We own two Ford's. I wouldn't own a gas one. Horrid fuel milage and not as long as an engine life span. We own a 7.3 f350 dually....AMAZING truck, not the quickest, but she hauls like a dream and even though she's 4 wheel drive we get 18 plus out of her hauling everywhere. We also own an 08 or 09 6.4 f350. LOVE the truck super snappy hauls anything and everything at what ever speed you want. feels like nothing is back there, but get super ****ty fuel mileage. It is lifted with 37's, but it only gets 8-9mpg! OUCH!!!!! lol awesome looking pickup and we have owned it since day one. only has 30k miles on it. My SO is a diesel mechanic and plans on doing some up grades since it is paid off and he says he can get 26 mpg out of it with out any motor issues. He does it to the work trucks all the time. The work trucks all have 200k PLUS miles on them |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| Fuel mileage cost is pretty much a wash when you figure in the cost of diesel, oil changes and fuel filter changes then add when anything at all goes wrong with a diesel it costs BIG money. Ill agree diesels are more ideal than gas but not at all necessary for pulling a few horses.
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 Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | TwistedK - 2015-05-19 1:29 PM
Murphy - 2015-05-19 1:24 PM
MissouriJen - 2015-05-19 2:15 PM ~BINGO~ - 2015-05-19 1:12 PM F.O.R.D. Found. On. Road. Dead.LMAO. We had one with the 6.0. Spent thousands to get it right, only for it to break again. Sent it down the road. Yeah, Ford is not my first choice but it's the only one we've found so far that we agree on and has what we want. I drive a 97 Ford Expedition right now that we bought from my parents and it has the 5.4 engine in it. I have zero complaints about it and drive it everyday.
So our second choice is a 2008 Duramax - any opinions on that? It's $6k more, but I personally would prefer a diesel to haul with.
We have the 6.0 and 7.3 and we love both. Our 6.0 is nearing 250k and the 7.3 is nearing 220k. No issues, but my husband tends to them often and knows that he is doing. The 6.0 just requires a little more love, but the motor itself is a beast. I have no personal experience with the 6.4 but we see a lot of them on track and I have a friend that loves hers.
We have a 6.0 too with 96,000 miles on it. It is not bullet proofed. I do agree that they require more meticulous upkeep, but with hubby being a diesel mechanic, she gets the love. Pulling wise I LOVE the power.
Ditto to what Murphy and TwistedK said. We're a Ford family too, but I'd definitely go with a duramax over a 5.4 gas engine if your budget allows you to!
We have a 6.0 also, nearing 200k miles. Got it stupid cheap 5 yrs ago, put a could grand in it with a good diesel mechanic, and we love it. I agree with the others that they can require a little tlc but once we fixed those 'big' issues, it's been an awesome truck.
Anyways, good luck to you truck shopping! |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | MissouriJen - 2015-05-19 1:15 PM ~BINGO~ - 2015-05-19 1:12 PM F.O.R.D. Found. On. Road. Dead.LMAO. We had one with the 6.0. Spent thousands to get it right, only for it to break again. Sent it down the road. Yeah, Ford is not my first choice but it's the only one we've found so far that we agree on and has what we want. I drive a 97 Ford Expedition right now that we bought from my parents and it has the 5.4 engine in it. I have zero complaints about it and drive it everyday.
So our second choice is a 2008 Duramax - any opinions on that? It's $6k more, but I personally would prefer a diesel to haul with.
I had a 2008 gmc Duramax and LOVED that truck. The only reason I quit driving it is I needed a dually. It had 145,000 on it when we put it on the farm (where it's been for nearly 2 years and still hasn't had any issues). The only problem I ever had with it was from getting a tank of bad diesel. But it fully recovered with time, just had bad fuel mileage for several months because it was cleaning the injectors more frequently than normal. |
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FORD People - I have some questions