PDA

View Full Version : How to make my '02 handle like new again?

EmmEff
11-13-2009, 12:47 AM
I've got an '02 F150 SuperCab 4x4 4.6L with about 160km on it. The steering and suspension feels loose and sloppy.

I have replaced the left front hub/bearing and both tie-rod ends within the past year or so. What else needs to be done to make it "tighter"? Hope to do this on the cheap...
BIGPHIL
11-13-2009, 11:58 AM
check the ideler arm, steering and suspension, componits are not to have exesive play (ie ball joints,pitman arm,ideler arm, inner & outter tierod ends). shocks are to be changed at 80,000.
EmmEff
11-13-2009, 05:14 PM
Gee, at what point do I decide it's time to retire the old truck? There's probably $1500 of parts and labour there. I've got no place to do all this work myself :(

Thanks for your help.
Northern Supercrew
11-13-2009, 06:00 PM
1500.00 now or 15,000 for another truck....Only you can make that choice...and you may not need all those parts..shocks you can do in your driveway. It's a difficult choice,,maybe take it into a reputable mechanic and see exactly what has to be fixed, and go from there...best of luck.
EmmEff
11-14-2009, 05:29 PM
Yeah, I'm having a very tough time making the call. I'd really like to get something newer (perhaps an '06 'Screw with 5.4L) but at the same time, I'd rather not spend the $12-15k to upgrade. I'm really struggling with this decision...
Northern Supercrew
11-14-2009, 10:06 PM
Sounds like you're slowly talking yourself into a newer one...haha..if you really like your 02, put the $'s into it and keep it till a good deal comes by for a newer one..I had a 97 with the 4.6, super cab and 4x4..i loved that truck..it was mechanically sound..made the mistake of stopping by the Ford dealer in whitehorse to have a look on the lot and left with a 05 scab...so i guess that made the decision for me...but i did like the look of the 04-08 body style better, so that was a factor in the arm twisting decision..
EmmEff
11-14-2009, 11:16 PM
I was just out looking at used trucks tonight... still not sure which way to go. Put $2k into my '02 and make it like new again or buy the newer 'screw. Decisions, decisions.
Blue Oval
11-15-2009, 06:56 PM
If it makes the decision any easier, consider this:

- you know the history of your truck, what it likes and doesn't, and what you feel it needs done

- a new(er) truck is essentially a blank canvas that could be a great move if it's been cared for or a can of worms if it hasn't

In the long run, your heart will tell you what to do...
EmmEff
11-15-2009, 07:28 PM
It doesn't make it any easier :(

I've had the '02 for just less than 8 years now. Kinda looking forward to something new(er) but at the same time, I could keep driving it for a few more if I spent the $2k.
BIGPHIL
11-16-2009, 01:22 AM
$300-450 on parts and a 4hr of work in the driveway, = happy man with a truck he loves, o ya make shure to get it aligment
shelbyx1
11-16-2009, 03:57 PM
the truck has more than paid for itself if its in god shape the money would be well spent on it,if your wanting to get an idea of repairs needed go to a ford fastlane shop and get a oil change and they will do a courtesy insp.
BIGPHIL
11-16-2009, 04:00 PM
the truck has more than paid for itself if its in god shape the money would be well spent on it,if your wanting to get an idea of repairs needed go to a ford fastlane shop and get a oil change and they will do a courtesy insp.

jimmy thay dont have fast lanes down here. there called lube munkeys.
EmmEff
11-16-2009, 04:22 PM
the truck has more than paid for itself if its in god shape the money would be well spent on it,if your wanting to get an idea of repairs needed go to a ford fastlane shop and get a oil change and they will do a courtesy insp.

I guess my biggest hangup is that it needs a new auto trans. It started failing around the 80k mark (154k now). Something to do with the overdrive servo. Anyway, it up/downshifts hard into/out of OD. I've been quoted $1500 by a local trans shop to fix it. The truck is totally drivable mind you.

All these little things add up... figure $2500 or more for suspension, trans, and new tires (I'm still on my originals). Is it worth it for a truck that is ultimately worth around $7500 or less?
BIGPHIL
11-19-2009, 04:10 PM
hellls ya i have a 1980 f100 that i payed $500 for and it has $3500 worth of stuff on it just in rims tires and the lowering kit, mind you the mortor isnt done and still need to get a trans.


what im saying is if like it you will fix it, who wants to drive around with a cookie cutter truck like the new ones, fix it and make it your own. :)
EmmEff
11-20-2009, 08:06 PM
If it were a classic like your '80, I'd have no problem putting some money into it.

I have decided that I'm going to keep my truck for at least another year.
01f150
11-26-2009, 12:42 PM
I think you sound like you want something else,so why not stop buy a dealer and see what they say? It dosen't cost to look...
EmmEff
11-26-2009, 12:45 PM
I think you sound like you want something else,so why not stop buy a dealer and see what they say? It dosen't cost to look...

I definitely want something else, but I don't want to pay for something else :)

I really should pop by the dealer and have a look. Of course, you know I'll walk out of there the owner of a 2010 when I went in to look at used :icon_biggrin: I'm stupid like that.