Originally Posted By: qdeezie
I think the truck is very, VERY reliable. I drive it everywhere and I prefer to drive it daily. As far as common problems, I'll tell you what I didn't like about it or experienced and what I did to change it. I took the time to shop around and purchased replacement parts over a year's time and replaced pretty much every electrical sensor under the hood for peace of mind. I found that the truck can be very picky on certain replacement parts. Below, I'll list what comes to mind whether it be good, bad or otherwise.
1) One thing that I didn't like at all about the truck was the factory alternator. It was very underpowered and I found out that Ford had a TSB on it. I did a 3G alternator (alternator from a later model Ford) upgrade and that cured all of the wandering low voltmeter readings/dimming light issues I had.......mind you, I don't have any accessories that demand high voltage. The factory alternator is just that weak in my opinion.
2) Battery cables are inadequate from the factory. You have to upgrade to either 2 gauge cables or double up the 4 gauge positive/negative cables from the battery to the solenoid and ground. You may experience slow/no starts when the engine is hot if you don't upgrade the battery cables. It's a cheap thing to do, so really no reason not to do so.
3) The truck is very particular about spark plugs. If you use plugs other than basic cheapie Motorcraft or Autolite, you are bound to have problems. You can upgrade everything else in the ignition system, but with the spark plugs, keep them cheap and basic.
4) Regarding vacuum hoses, go ahead and buy about 20 feet of vacuum hose and some vacuum T's and route those to each component under the hood. That way, you don't have vacuum related driveability issues. I think Ford discontinued the actual vacuum harness.
5) I don't like where the PCV valve is located. It is at the back of the passenger's side valve cover under the upper intake manifold.
6) I did not like the fact that it had cork gaskets from the factory, which caused leaks. I ended up replacing pretty much every gasket on it with the exception of the head gasket and rear main. Between wimpy cork gaskets and age, it leaked everywhere.
7) In addition to #6, when it was leaking, I used conventional oil. Once I got it fixed and changed it to synthetic, I have found that the truck runs cooler on synthetic oil. I didn't use a thermometer to measure it, it was a coincidental observation based on the temperature gauge reading when I changed from conventional to syn.
8) 1987-1991 5.0L trucks have flat tappet camshafts. 1992-1996 5.0L trucks have roller camshafts. When I first bought it, I was under the impression that all 5.0L Fords whether it was a car, truck or van had roller camshafts from 1986 up, but that is not the case.
9) Parts are very cheap for this truck!
10) Power steering fluid is Type F transmission fluid. I thought it was an old wives tale, but that is seriously what it uses.
11) The best distributor rotor button to use is a genuine Motorcraft rotor from a 1996 F250 5.0L. It has brass and copper contacts and the construction is MUCH better than aftermarket rotors. I order my Motorcraft rotor from Advance Auto for about $8.
12) The two pickiest parts on the truck are the EGR position sensor and the IAC valve. The ones from Autozone (Duralast/Wells) worked. The ones made by BWD/Standard parts gave me major problems. So, this is either a Motorcraft or AZ part.
13) I have not found the "perfect" transmission fluid yet. I'm trying out Maxlife this weekend. All I've done so far is cheap stuff over the last year just to try to clean it out before upgrading to better stuff. Also, I've heard that Castrol High Mileage ATF works wonderfully, but I have not confirmed it.
14) I've heard that 302s really "like" 40 weight oils (i.e. 0w-40, 5w-40 and 10w-40). I haven't owned it long enough to confirm that yet.
15) I have found that Motorcraft parts are of excellent quality. I always thought that it was just a quick way for the dealer to make money from a ridiculous markup, but it's truly a quality difference. I still shop around, but Motorcraft is truly good stuff.
I could write a book on this truck, but I hope this helps. Overall, I like the truck. Experience, research and another forum that I'm a member of has helped my ownership experience substantially.
Thanks you, that is exactly what I am asking for. My dad is ford man lol castrol gtx is all he ever use since he was young, and I first american car is a 98 mustang gt, own it for 3 years, mustang having the best sound exhault over any car. after own a chevy im dont look back, but in my heart ford truck or mustang still in me ^^. Yes motorcraft is all I ever use for part for use for tune up. Ford alway run great on motocraft part. I have me $3000 dollar budget for this truck, hope I can find one in good condition around 2000 to 2500, then what ever left is for tune up and maintain part. Im plan use this truck for winter, fishing, hauling trailer/boat.