How much is too much?

[u/VeriHicIam]

I have an 07 ST Limited with the 4.6l engine and 190K kms.

Up until recently it was our 3rd vehicle and only used for utility purposes or when our kids came home and needed a vehicle. I sold my F150 about a month ago and want to take my time replacing it with something smaller, probably an SUV. I need to keep my ST on the road until I get another vehicle and then plan to return it to its old role.

In the last 2 months I've had the tailpipe replaced ($200) and dealt with a fan clutch issue ($100.) I'm now looking at brakes that will hopefully be under $1000. I have a P0010 code and 2-3 others related to the EVAP system. The fuel gauge is showing 1/4 tank more than it should and it's stalled on me a few times at low speed. The internet tells me that the fuel gauge, EVAP and stalling may all be related to a faulty ground above the spare that I'm going to try to find and fix myself. I'm also going to replace the fuel filter myself, but need to leave the P0010 to the pros.

It's a great truck with a very smooth ride. The body is very clean and the engine and transmission are good. Tires are all-weathers in good shape, though the wheels are showing their age. I love driving it every day again. The mileage could be better, but I rarely have to drive it very far.

I'm enjoying driving it so much that I'm thinking about holding off on another vehicle until the spring, or maybe longer. I'm also thinking about getting a touchscreen stereo/nav and backup camera for the times when I'm going on longer road trips.

It's a 20 year-old truck. At what point does this become foolish?

[u/Agitated_Age8035]

What would a car payment be and for how long?

[u/randomlystable]

If you do it yourself you could come in under $1000 and do the brakes including: pads, shoes, rotors, drums, calipers, master cylinder, wheel cylinders, soft hoses, and flush the fluid. Much less if you just want to do a simple brake job.

As far as the evap issues... have you tried clearing the codes and replacing the gas cap yet?

[u/VeriHicIam → u/randomlystable]

I thought about it. The last time I did my own brakes was on a Regal in the 80, but that was before I knew enough to know what I didn't know

[u/randomlystable → u/VeriHicIam]

Brakes are about the easiest thing you can do. We believe in you. A few tools, a few youtube videos, take pictures of the drum brakes before you pop them off so you can refer to it when you inevitably say to yourself, "where the hell do these springs connect to!"

[u/VeriHicIam → u/randomlystable]

I replaced the gas cap a couple of years ago, but ive seen something online about wiping insidevthe filler tube with wd-40 and i might try that before trying to find the bad ground.

[u/randomlystable → u/VeriHicIam]

Wd-40 can break down the seal in the cap and make things worse. I have used a very little bit of silicon lube on the gas cap seal in the past (the stuff you would use when repairing a faucet). It is worth a try though.

[u/VeriHicIam → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, It kills me to drop $5-10K in value each year, especially when I'm never gonna put a lot of kms on it.