I am on the search for a replacement to my Tacoma. One that has more cargo/towing capacity, and cheaper. Didn’t make sense to have a $25k truck to dent and scratch.
looking at a 2011 F150 XLT extended cab, long bed, 4x4, 3.5 eco boost 120k miles. New turbos.
3 issues during my inspection
-timing chain rattle on first cold start. Very quick(less than 1 sec) smooth rattle not clattery. Doesn’t come back after.
- NY truck, the bed-floor cross members are starting to become questionable.
- Vibration at 55mph from behind the seat. Possibly bad rear tires(tires were near bald) but no clue if driveline related. Vibration does ease up around 65, the fastest traffic allowed that day.
Everything else looks acceptable minus the driver side door lock switch not working.
I told my gut that this time around I will walk if anything looks less than ideal, but now I’m questioning it. Am I asking for too much out of a $10-12k truck?
Is the timing chain ordeal worth getting into? I figure if it can run me a year or two as is(roughly 8k miles a year) I wouldn’t mind doing a timing chain job myself or even paying a shop to do it. I just can’t have it brick like 10 months from now. I don’t mind wrenching if I have to. Just not trying to buy a project at the moment.
Other 2 options are GM 5.3 4wd rigs, one a single cab/long bed($11k) , the other is an extended cab/standard bed($12k). I have yet to see these rigs in person(will tomorrow). But right now it’s under the assumption that both of these trucks don’t have mechanical faults and don’t have any questionable rust problems.
Price wise, the F150 books at $12600 I figure I can try to get it down to $11000-11500 if they replace the rear tires. Asking price is $12900. Would it be insane to pay even 12k for it?
looking at a 2011 F150 XLT extended cab, long bed, 4x4, 3.5 eco boost 120k miles. New turbos.
3 issues during my inspection
-timing chain rattle on first cold start. Very quick(less than 1 sec) smooth rattle not clattery. Doesn’t come back after.
- NY truck, the bed-floor cross members are starting to become questionable.
- Vibration at 55mph from behind the seat. Possibly bad rear tires(tires were near bald) but no clue if driveline related. Vibration does ease up around 65, the fastest traffic allowed that day.
Everything else looks acceptable minus the driver side door lock switch not working.
I told my gut that this time around I will walk if anything looks less than ideal, but now I’m questioning it. Am I asking for too much out of a $10-12k truck?
Is the timing chain ordeal worth getting into? I figure if it can run me a year or two as is(roughly 8k miles a year) I wouldn’t mind doing a timing chain job myself or even paying a shop to do it. I just can’t have it brick like 10 months from now. I don’t mind wrenching if I have to. Just not trying to buy a project at the moment.
Other 2 options are GM 5.3 4wd rigs, one a single cab/long bed($11k) , the other is an extended cab/standard bed($12k). I have yet to see these rigs in person(will tomorrow). But right now it’s under the assumption that both of these trucks don’t have mechanical faults and don’t have any questionable rust problems.
Price wise, the F150 books at $12600 I figure I can try to get it down to $11000-11500 if they replace the rear tires. Asking price is $12900. Would it be insane to pay even 12k for it?
Last edited:
