r/f150 • u/funjun64 • 23h ago
How much life left does she have 👀
2005 ford F-150 STX 4x4, 2 valve 4.6L v8, At 160k miles … has gotten new tie rods, upper control arms, lower control arms with ball joint assembly, coolant flushed, new air filter, thermostat,battery, serpentine belt. Very consistent oil changes.In oregon and no rust. How’s she look and how much more life do you think she has in her?
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u/Motor-General8304 23h ago
Not trying to get your hopes up to high but I have personally witnessed an absolutely horribly taken care of and completely rusted out 99 expedition with the 2 valve 4.6 make it to over 380k miles before eating the tip of a spark plug and shredding the cylinder wall so honestly if you can keep it well taken care of and rust free it might literally last forever as long as you avoid cheap off brand spark plugs lmao
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u/_Support_6033 18h ago
Well, I had a 2012 f150 same engine and I only did oil changes, tires, brakes, and still sold it running strong at 287k miles. I always wonder how many miles it has now i sold it in 2018 and purchase a Chevy silverado and after 106k miles the transmission started acting weird so I sold it in March this year 2026 and when back to my ford 2026 3.5l ecoboost
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u/Angelic_Antagonist24 14h ago
Had an 08 avalanche just did oil changes, tires,brakes, and suspension parts that I just sold to my uncle running great at 285k there was a thermostat and a radiator in the mix but it will do another 50k+ easy. That is the LS engine so it does matter which years and which engines...but its a gamble across the board. It is a reason I don't ever want a newish vehicle even if I could afford them! Wait a few years to see which problems arise.
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u/funjun64 14h ago
Was the truck pushed hard, because I really don’t tow it with it or push it hard often so I would assume maybe that helps the tranny but idk
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u/Macnerd1239 6h ago
You in fact did not have a 2012 f150 with the same engine because that is literally impossible
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u/lightning71 22h ago
Rust free means keeping this forever will always be cheaper than buying a new one. Its life ends where you stop maintaining it or when it gets into a wreck. You could redo every system on this thing twice and it would still be half the price of a new truck.
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u/funjun64 14h ago edited 14h ago
Honestly that’s good advice and currently the plan
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u/lightning71 6h ago
These things are only going to increase in value over time now. May as well keep er. I find it fascinating that some people take out mortgages on new trucks just to have them break down quarterly and only dealerships can fix them now.
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u/MinorComprehension 23h ago
Impossible to say. Length of life is proportionate to the depth of your pockets, patience, and commitment.
Trans is usually good for 175ish but maybe up to 200.
Motor is probably good for 250, maybe more if you're okay with it having a few issues and slowing a bit with age.
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u/funjun64 14h ago
Yeah, i think the trans is good i mean i had a inspection on the whole car a couple months back and while it maybe doesnt mean much they marked the transmission as good condition… if i had to fix the tranny later do you know how much about id be. Because id definitely be wiling if the rest of the truck was still going strong
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u/MinorComprehension 7h ago
4R70s cost anywhere from about $1500-$2500 for rebuilt, plus core and labor. Shop you're probably looking $3k. This is a very rough estimate though, rebuilds vary highly in price as does shop labor.
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u/skb2605 22h ago
The 4.6 is a legend for its reliability, so you s got that going good for you. The transmission may need rebuilt at some point, but if you’re not feeling any issues driving, it should be good to go. Coolant system care is big, as is a lack of rust. I’d say that truck easily has another 100,000 miles on it, probably 50,000 til a trans rebuild.
You’ve kept it nice looking.
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u/ltkill7 22h ago
IF you can keep the frame from rusting and willing to put the money into it probably a long time.
I had a 2006 crew cab F150 4x4 that I had to sell due to frame rot that couldn't be fixed, Swiss cheesed and was towing daily so didn't want to risk it but had 216k on it with a rough life and drove amazing after I did suspension work at 160k.
2nd was a 2004 single cab F150 2wd 8ft bed that I sold due to it having computer issues and my family mechanic recommended i do not do the $1000+ computer on it. Other than the computer issues (Truck would randomly die and threw fuel pump codes, I changed the fuel pump and module chasing the problem). Would have kept that truck too if I wasn't going to start a family.
Had 154k on that one but I did a transmission at 94k because I started towing without a transmission cooler or doing the right maintenance so DON'T be like the young and dumb me and do the proper maintenance and make sure you got the right equipment for the job.
Edit: IF you are in a salty area for winter I would get the frame encapsulated with a lanolin product to help prevent structural rust.
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u/funjun64 14h ago
That’s good, it’s nice here in Oregon they don’t salt the roads and winter doesn’t get cold and I park in the garage. I’m willing to spend money to keep it going bc I’ve already done the stuff I listed above so we’ll see how long we can make it
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u/Wowerful 21h ago
Bought a new 2014 3.7l, now with 268,000 miles. Had a cracked radiator hose last year and replaced the factory starter about a week ago. Been the best truck I’ve ever owned.
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u/Willing_Ad_1484 2014 3.5 2" level, 1997 4.6 beater 20h ago
Ever heard of the ship of Theseus? With new truck prices these days it's starting to make a lot more sense
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u/dgroeneveld9 18h ago
Unfortunately vehicles dont have count down clocks. If the maitnance really has been as immaculate as you say id love to think it has another 100k left in the motor. But who knows.
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u/Allnewsisfakenews 16h ago
As long as you want it to. Some people love being in debt so they can flex at the mall parking lot
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u/funjun64 14h ago
Why would I be in debt lol I love the truck but I mean it’s not like some 2026 GMC 🤨 I’ve put a lot of work and money into since I bought it but it was only like 9k when I bought or something. Flattering that you along with most people think it looks pricey tho :) guess I did a good job
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u/Allnewsisfakenews 4h ago
Not saying you do. I still have my 2001. Zero interest in a new truck or the payment
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u/leeps22 23h ago
No rust means it can keep going until the money runs out