+- Madison Motorsports (https://forum.mmsports.org)
+-- Forum: Technical (https://forum.mmsports.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=4)
+--- Forum: Technical Discussion (https://forum.mmsports.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=11)
+--- Thread: Long Term Driving Test - 2001 Ford F-150 (/showthread.php?tid=4830)
Long Term Driving Test - 2001 Ford F-150 - PDenbigh - 09-25-2006
The F-150 turned over 100,000.00 miles this past weekend. So, I thought I'd do a little writeup on the truck and my likes/dislikes.
Specs:
2001 F-150 XLT Extended Cab Short Bed
4.6L V-8, 4x4, 4x4 package
Miles when aquired: 12,500.
Major costs of ownership:
Tires, all 6 sets of them (my fault).
2x coil plugs about 15k miles ago
Idler Pully
Brake Pads (3 sets, current set is Performance Friction heavy duty, no more fading, yay!)
New Battery at 60k
Services performed:
Oil - Castrol 10/40 every 5-6k miles
Flushed cooling system at 60k
Changed tranny fluid at 60k
Changed rear end fluid at 60k
Flusid brake fluid at 60k
Replaced rear window due to change machine falling into it (ask Sean S)
Things it needs:
Tires, again
Rotors
Shocks
E-brake cable (rusted, broke at rear wheel)
Background:
I drive this truck pretty hard. Hard enough to fade the brakes on the downside of the Rt. 33 mountain (and not from dragging them). It has been used for everything from arriving at Black Tie Affairs to playing in mud to crossing 3-4' deep creeks. Ok, driving straight down them. It has pulled car-loaded dumptruck trailers, motorcycle trailers loaded so full the trailer's axle was bent, and of course my car/trailer combo anywhere from across town to 6 hours away to Watkins Glen. I've driven it in the dep sand of Cape Hatterass (past "the point" for those of you that know). It has survived 5 winters and pulled out countless vehicles both smaller and larger than itself. I never stay at home due to road conditions and it has gotten me to and from every time. Even made a trip to Reddish Knob in 12"-24"' of snow. (pics)
Tires of choise are oversized 285/75/16's (same size as 33's) Bridgsteone Duler AT Revos. Have used oversized tires since 12k miles. So, since they are about 10% off I guess it has around 108k miles... anyhow -
Cons:
Coil Plugs going bad is annoying. #8 plug is a PITA to change. Fortunatley the ECU tells me exactly which one is bad, so diagnostics is cake.
Rotors are warped.
Exhaust has a hole in it somewhere. Makes a tick sound until it warms up, and then between 3k-3200 it whines.
Transmission slipps occasioanlly. I think it's due to driving in the above mentioned creek.
Steering Wheel color is rubbing off
Pros:
Still very solid. Solid steering wheel, no play.
Balljoints are all still solid.
Interior is in great shape except for the steering wheel
No drivetraine problems.
Cleans up great, paint is still great, clear is still clear ;-).
Power is good. I'd rather have the bigger V-8 but the smaller gets better gas milage and still pulls my usual rig at 75mph up Afton Mt.
Gets around 20mph unloadad, 13mpg pulling. (Not really a pro or con), just a stat.
I'm so attached to this truck, so my review is a bit biased. However, had it been a lemon I would hate it. It starts every day, 100 degrees or -10. AC works awesome, Heat works just as well. I put it through its paces every day. 9/10 stoplights see redline RPMs. Put it in 4x4 and it'll crawl pretty well. Seats 6 with seatbelts.
That is all.
Re: Long Term Driving Test - 2001 Ford F-150 - Mike - 09-25-2006
PDenbigh Wrote:9/10 stoplights see redline RPMs.
rofl! good review... thanks! i put together a long-term review of the s2k on my site... i'll format it and put it up here.
- .RJ - 09-25-2006
I have been happy with my F150 also
I've put about 9,000 miles on it since buying it in January - the dealership took care of a few things under warranty, and trouble free since then.I need to replace the spark plugs... i hope the dealer doesnt charge too much for it.
- ziich - 09-25-2006
nice writeup! What's the most stuff you've crammed in the bed?
Re: Long Term Driving Test - 2001 Ford F-150 - white_2kgt - 09-25-2006
PDenbigh Wrote:2x coil plugs about 15k miles ago
Also your fault!
- PDenbigh - 09-25-2006
ziich Wrote:nice writeup! What's the most stuff you've crammed in the bed?
Hard to remember. When I help put up hay I can usually fit 38 bales of hay at 40 pounds each = ~1500 pounds. Don't have a pic of my truck doing this, but here's a pic of my mom's, and although it's a long bed, you get the idea: pic
While helping with the remodel of a local church I made several trips to the dump loaded like this.
I've never bottomed out the rear springs though, so I guess I still have something to aspire too :-).
- white_2kgt - 09-25-2006
PDenbigh Wrote:While helping with the remodel of a local church I made several trips to the dump loaded like this.
We had more crap in your truck than that when you helped me move from rockville to bowie, remember? That shit was STACKED.
- PDenbigh - 09-25-2006
Oh yeah, how can I forget, the F-150 survived this: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.mmsports.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=71665#71665">http://www.mmsports.org/forum/viewtopic ... 1665#71665</a><!-- m -->
- PDenbigh - 09-25-2006
white_2kgt Wrote:PDenbigh Wrote:While helping with the remodel of a local church I made several trips to the dump loaded like this.
We had more crap in your truck than that when you helped me move from rockville to bowie, remember? That shit was STACKED.
Oh yeah! I wasn't about to make TWO trips :-).
- ScottyB - 09-25-2006
those fords stand up to a beating don't they? our old explorer gets worked pretty hard in terms of driving habits and it still soldiers on without too many ailments.