Opinions on F150’s

[MVAR]

My son will turn 16 next March & I’m planning on giving him the 2012 Canyon 2wd 4cyl/auto in my signature. Haven’t had a need for 4wd in several years but with family now living over the mountain from me in Gardnerville, NV, visiting in winter during holidays is just about impossible without it.

That said, I’m starting to browse a couple, fairly different, F150’s to be my daily driver as well as haul the family over I50 & I80 during winter.

1) 2011-14 F150 Lariat supercrew 4x4 with the 6.2 SOHC mpi and 6R80 transmission. This engine is mainly in the super duty, early raptor & Harley trucks but was available in lariat as well. From what I can tell, it’s the most reliable of the “powerful” engines of this generation as well is the transmission. I know there are some that break valve springs (mostly trucks that tow heavy regularly) but there are upgraded springs available if needed. I also know the lower spark plugs are a PITA to replace.

2) 2000-2003 F150 supercrew 4x4 5.4 2V 4R70W. Completely different truck. Simple, comfortable enough (owned a 98 a long time ago), lighter but far less powerful, likely better mpg. I’m aware of the spark plug thread issue & have a friend with the kit to repair it.

I know getting into an older truck can come with several additional expenses just bringing them up to snuff. I’m more trusting in the ability to replace mechanical components in the future than electronics.

All that said, who has long term experience with both of these platforms? I’d like to hear how they’ve held up to age. I know of both engines in the super duty lasting >700k mi as my friend has a ford specialty shop & services fleets. 95% of his work is the super duty though & he’s not open to the public to get a better insight on the lighter duty applications. I also didn’t own the 98 long enough to judge its reliability.

Thanks in advance.

 

[cb_13]

The 00-03 were seriously great. I didn’t realize how good they were until I realized one day that all the trucks I was doing fuel tank strap recalls on had 350k miles on them already BUT they’re 20+ years old now.

6.2 is great. Thats not a bad option at all.

Have you considered a 16-17 with a 5.0? 2 years into the aluminum body already. 6r80, pre oil consumption 5.0. If you can find one that’s been maintained they’re a solid option for reliability.

Body rust is usually the eventual killer of trucks in my area.

 

[hemitom]

Have a friend with a 2013 with the 6.2 he loves it. lots of power and loves gas according to him.
i have driven a few 6.2 and 5.4 i found the fuel mileage to be similiar /power hands down 6.2.

 

[KJSmith]

I thought the 5.4 had issues with spitting spark plugs out?

 

[bdcardinal]

I thought the 5.4 had issues with spitting spark plugs out?

Depends on the year. The 2v ones shot out, the 3v ones broke off until 2007ish.

 

[wpod]

For years I worked fleet type maintenance and Ford were the best of the [American] pick ups. The current CEO has destroyed Fords reputation by cheapening everything that can increase his salary.

 

[mr_boring]

I've had a 2000, a 2012, and (2) 2018 F150's and I put a lot of miles on a 2003 Lariat with I don't know which Triton, but it was nice when I drove it. It belonged to my trucking in laws and they let me drive it while they were on the road. I probably put 10-15k on it over 2-3 years.

a 4.2, a 5.0, a 5.0, and a 2.7 in the ones I owned. Also had a 2013 Mustang with a 5.0 - which isn't exactly the same, but pretty close.

The 2012 5.0 was the one I liked the most, and I have a pretty nice 2018 currently. The 2000 4.2 was great, the 2003 Lariat was great (but it wasn't mine - and I never did any work or maintenance on it) but no Tritons for me. The 2012 DID have a transmission issue (repaired @ approx 90k under Ford CPO warranty but was showing issues again 8k later. I panic traded (99k) it still under CPO warranty just because I didn't want it to plop out at 101k (out of CPO warranty) - but man I loved that truck. I don't think they actually fixed it at 90k, just re-flashed it. Had I not suspected that, I'd probably still have it. Only other problem it had was the Y plumbing at the water pump. Those cracked like crazy, supposedly better materials in the replacements now.

The early 5.0's had some issues, but by 2013 they were fine. I had a good one in the 2012. Be a lot easier to find a 5.0 in a loaded XLT 2013 or 14 model, I don't know if they put 5.0's in those Lariats - but if they did, then heck yeah I'd be on that like a hungry kid at a candy factory. I personally would avoid the early 3.5 (and I really like my Ecoboost, but there really were a lot of issues in the early ones)

10r80 wasn't standard until 2018 - and I agree with the above poster on the 2016-17 5.0's/6r80 combos - they were the cream of the crop. My 2018 5.0 was a lemon, and Ford was going to buy it back but it was wrecked in the middle of the process. No oil consumption, intermittent cam phaser issues. By late 2019, all was well again in 5.0 land. The only 5.0 I'd be hesitant about would be a 2018 or early 2019. The '11-12 5.0 problem children would probably have been and gone and fixed or dead by now.

EDIT: as far as comfort, that 2003 Lariat and my 2000 cloth seater were both incredibly UNCOMFORTABLE compared to the 2012 and '18's
EDIT 2: - MPG - that Lariat sucked. I would have driven it more but it got like 13MPG. The 2012 5.0 got better than 16 MPG and the 2018 5.0 got better than that (highway).

 

[MVAR]

I thought the 5.4 had issues with spitting spark plugs out?

Yeah, the 99-03 2V spit out plugs. There’s a heli coil kit to fix the problem

 

[MVAR]

Have a friend with a 2013 with the 6.2 he loves it. lots of power and loves gas according to him.
i have driven a few 6.2 and 5.4 i found the fuel mileage to be similiar /power hands down 6.2.

My 98 extended cab would get about 22 on the hwy. think the 6.2 would be lucky to get 19. In traffic or city is likely similar.

Would like to hear some 1st hand experience with the 6.2 in the F150 though

 

[MVAR]

I've had a 2000, a 2012, and (2) 2018 F150's and I put a lot of miles on a 2003 Lariat with I don't know which Triton, but it was nice when I drove it. It belonged to my trucking in laws and they let me drive it while they were on the road. I probably put 10-15k on it over 2-3 years.

a 4.2, a 5.0, a 5.0, and a 2.7 in the ones I owned. Also had a 2013 Mustang with a 5.0 - which isn't exactly the same, but pretty close.

The 2012 5.0 was the one I liked the most, and I have a pretty nice 2018 currently. The 2000 4.2 was great, the 2003 Lariat was great (but it wasn't mine - and I never did any work or maintenance on it) but no Tritons for me. The 2012 DID have a transmission issue (repaired @ approx 90k under Ford CPO warranty but was showing issues again 8k later. I panic traded (99k) it still under CPO warranty just because I didn't want it to plop out at 101k (out of CPO warranty) - but man I loved that truck. I don't think they actually fixed it at 90k, just re-flashed it. Had I not suspected that, I'd probably still have it. Only other problem it had was the Y plumbing at the water pump. Those cracked like crazy, supposedly better materials in the replacements now.

The early 5.0's had some issues, but by 2013 they were fine. I had a good one in the 2012. Be a lot easier to find a 5.0 in a loaded XLT 2013 or 14 model, I don't know if they put 5.0's in those Lariats - but if they did, then heck yeah I'd be on that like a hungry kid at a candy factory. I personally would avoid the early 3.5 (and I really like my Ecoboost, but there really were a lot of issues in the early ones)

10r80 wasn't standard until 2018 - and I agree with the above poster on the 2016-17 5.0's/6r80 combos - they were the cream of the crop. My 2018 5.0 was a lemon, and Ford was going to buy it back but it was wrecked in the middle of the process. No oil consumption, intermittent cam phaser issues. By late 2019, all was well again in 5.0 land. The only 5.0 I'd be hesitant about would be a 2018 or early 2019. The '11-12 5.0 problem children would probably have been and gone and fixed or dead by now.

EDIT: as far as comfort, that 2003 Lariat and my 2000 cloth seater were both incredibly UNCOMFORTABLE compared to the 2012 and '18's
EDIT 2: - MPG - that Lariat sucked. I would have driven it more but it got like 13MPG. The 2012 5.0 got better than 16 MPG and the 2018 5.0 got better than that.

I probably should have stated in the OP but one of the reasons I’m preferring the 6.2 over the 5.0 is wanting to avoid DI fuel systems. I’ve also only seen one 5.0 make it past 300k without major issues.

My father in law had a 13 F150 with the 3.5 ecoboost. Too much trouble from that thing & never came close to advertised mpg. Best he ever saw was 18mpg on a single trip. Every other hwy trip was 15-17. Also had phaser trouble & turbos replaced.

The fuel mileage isn’t a big deal for me. I commute 12mi each way & on days off, hardware stores are all just a couple miles away. Trips out of the area would likely be every other month on 500-1500mi trips. Would take the truck about 1/2 of the time.

Has anyone had issues with the sync system or electronics in the newer F150’s? That’s the stuff that makes me nervous with newer vehicles. I’d rather rebuild/replace a transmission than a dash control screen. Not sure just how integrated the screen is in the newer 11-14 trucks. If all controls are still available with buttons below then it wouldn’t be an issue as no functionality would be lost.

 

[MVAR]

Have a friend with a 2013 with the 6.2 he loves it. lots of power and loves gas according to him.
i have driven a few 6.2 and 5.4 i found the fuel mileage to be similiar /power hands down 6.2.

Somehow I interpreted this as super duty. Apologies. Rereading I think you’re referring to 6.2 F150’s.

How many miles is on your friends 2013?

 

[MVAR]

The 00-03 were seriously great. I didn’t realize how good they were until I realized one day that all the trucks I was doing fuel tank strap recalls on had 350k miles on them already BUT they’re 20+ years old now.

6.2 is great. Thats not a bad option at all.

Have you considered a 16-17 with a 5.0? 2 years into the aluminum body already. 6r80, pre oil consumption 5.0. If you can find one that’s been maintained they’re a solid option for reliability.

Body rust is usually the eventual killer of trucks in my area.

Just now getting back to this. Start a thread & wife comes home so I’ve been interrupted too many times to count

Yeah, there’s still a ton of the 96-03 F150’s around my area. Most are work trucks but some still look clean. Figured they had to be easier to maintain than the new stuff or they would be gone by now.

I never really considered the 5.0 in any format. Just wanting to avoid DI. I’ve had a few DI engines now & service a couple more for my in laws (one being a 2021 mustang gt). The 6.2 is mpi. Easier to maintain system. I’m going for long term ownership so am expecting to work on it along the way. Would like to minimize the trouble.

Hope that makes sense

 

[fantastic]

2006 they beefed up the frame etc. I'd stick with 2006+. Should be some left with decent mileage left. Seems I'm seeing more & more old early 90's trucks running around still. All the issues have resolutions so I don't think there should be anything to keep you from most engines offered through that lineup but the early ones like the 06' I mentioned you'd probably want to stick w/V8. However, I'd look real hard at the Ecoboost was it 11+?

 

[cb_13]

I never really considered the 5.0 in any format. Just wanting to avoid DI. I’ve had a few DI engines now & service a couple more for my in laws (one being a 2021 mustang gt). The 6.2 is mpi. Easier to maintain system. I’m going for long term ownership so am expecting to work on it along the way. Would like to minimize the trouble.

Hope that makes sense

Gen 2 Coyote was still MPI. DI came along with the Gen 3 that also had oil consumption issues and the often problematic 10 speed in 18.

Just another option for you. I know if I found a rust free 12th gen with a 6.2 I’d definitely be interested in that they’re just getting hard to find rust free in my area. Except Raptors with salvage titles of course, idk where are those keep coming from.

 

[MVAR]

2006 they beefed up the frame etc. I'd stick with 2006+. Should be some left with decent mileage left. Seems I'm seeing more & more old early 90's trucks running around still. All the issues have resolutions so I don't think there should be anything to keep you from most engines offered through that lineup but the early ones like the 06' I mentioned you'd probably want to stick w/V8. However, I'd look real hard at the Ecoboost was it 11+?

04-10 was the 3V 5.4. Pretty much the worst engine Ford has released in decades.

I just don’t trust the ecoboost if I haven’t owned it from new or fairly new. Maintenance is more important with them than most other engines & I just don’t trust people with upholding severe duty cycles.

I’m looking at the old 5.4 2V and the newer 6.2 because they’re more forgiving designs that have been known to last, even if a bit thirsty.

I’d also just like to avoid DI engines altogether since I’m shopping very used. Avoiding phaser issues as well is a plus

 

[MVAR]

Gen 2 Coyote was still MPI. DI came along with the Gen 3 that also had oil consumption issues and the often problematic 10 speed in 18.

Really? I thought after 14 they were DI only & mpi was added to the gen3? Guess I was incorrect on that

 

[MVAR]

Gen 2 Coyote was still MPI. DI came along with the Gen 3 that also had oil consumption issues and the often problematic 10 speed in 18.

Just another option for you. I know if I found a rust free 12th gen with a 6.2 I’d definitely be interested in that they’re just getting hard to find rust free in my area. Except Raptors with salvage titles of course, idk where are those keep coming from.

Got back from vacation in Oregon late last Thursday. Had noticed a Ford dealer near Red Bluff had just what I was interested in. ‘14 F150 supercrew lariat limited 4wd 6.2. Had 65k mi, one owner & full service history. Just under $25k.

It sold about 2hrs before I was passing through the area on my way home.

Finding a well taken care of 00-03 is getting pretty difficult as well. Unless it’s a lightning they want $50 k for.

One good thing about west coast is cars last a long time. I just saw a late 80’s/early 90’s ford probe on the freeway this morning lol

 

[CarbonToast]

If you are going to keep it a while I would go with 2015+ because it's the new body style common with f150-f550. There will be more parts available in 5 years vs. the old body. The rear ends are so light you do need 4wd. -my opinion

 

[clinebarger]

I have a few customers with Gen 2 Coyote F150's....They've been very reliable. Coolant hoses, & 6R80 Lead Frames mostly.

6.2L Lariat F150's seem rare & are priced accordingly. I'm not sure/convinced the 6.2L Boss is more reliable than a Gen 2 Coyote in a half ton.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I still drive a 01 5.4 lariat. Had it for 15 years or so. 166k miles. The plug issue is from them being under torqued and ignored when they start to loosen and tick. Check blownoutsparkplug.com for all the information you could ever want on the issue. It is not a comfortable truck compared to anything modern but cheap and reliable. Oem parts are just starting to become an issue. MPG is bad like any old truck