1998 Ford F-150 Consumer Discussions

F150 with the 3.5L twin turbo eco boost

• Love the truck

  Written by: dataceph on Aug 24, 2011 7:58:07 PM

  I own one. I have 6300 miles on mine and I got 27 mpg on the highway last night. I reset the computer at highway speeds and drove 50 miles to my house and ended up with 27 mpg at my door. I did have some stop and go to contend with but not much. I live way out in the country. BTW, I was driving back from a Ford dealer ... Read More

Ford F-Series 4x4 Problems

• 4x4 wont engage

  Written by: drivin1998 on Jul 28, 2009 5:18:37 PM

  my 1998 ford f150 4wd wont engage any info or advise would be helpful

Ford F-Series Transmission Problems

• Transmissions F150 Please Help

  Written by: cherylleyn on Aug 24, 2009 6:31:40 PM

  I have a 1998 Ford F150 6 cylinder 4.2 2 wheel drive with over drive the transmission is gone. The question is if i got a transmission from a truck that was the same would it work or do i need to go by the numbers on the orignal transmission?

Ford F-Series Rough Idle/Vibration Problems

• 1998 F150 4.2 V6 Coolant Loss

  Written by: kcall2 on Jul 16, 2009 6:15:06 PM

  I have a 98 F150 with 83K miles that is loosing or burning coolant. Uses something like one gallon in 1000 - 1500 miles. There is no external leaking, no white smoke from the tailpipe, no rough idle or shaking during startup or normal driving. The only indication of loss is the coolant level in the reservoir. The truck has been to two separate shops - one inde the other a ... Read More

Ford F-Series Real World MPG Numbers

• 1998 ford f-150 extended cab 5.4 liter mpg

  Written by: titaneese on Jun 12, 2008 6:31:50 PM

  I owned a 1998 ford f-150 extended cab 5.4 liter and drove it for 10 years. I thoroughly checked the mileage over time and without the A/C it would get 13.5 mpg in the city absolutely babying that thing. I did not do enough highway driving to comment on that. My new truck is a Toyota Tacoma 16.68 mpg city. My two complaints with the ford, poor mpg and my service ... Read More

Ford F-150 Owners

• Ford Cars and Truck Recall

  Written by: gaspasser2 on Feb 28, 2008 3:06:22 PM

  AP Feds Alert Ford Owners to Recalls Thursday February 28, 5:41 pm ET By Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer Government Warns Ford Owners About Recalled Vehicles WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government on Thursday warned owners of about 4.6 million recalled Ford vehicles to bring their cars and trucks immediately to dealerships to disconnect cruise control switch systems that have been linked to engine fires. ADVERTISEMENT The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ... Read More

Ford F-Series Radiator and Cooling Questions

• 2 Radiators gone bad in one year

  Written by: vibe98 on Feb 19, 2008 6:02:46 AM

  What would cause my 1998 ford f150 with 192,600 to blow 2 radiators in one year. I have a new one now that was under warranty but it would be nice to figure why the right side seals are going bad. Any sugestion.

Ford F-Series Electrical and Lighting Problems

• Radiator

  Written by: vibe98 on Feb 10, 2008 9:14:10 PM

  What would cause my 1998 ford f150 with 192,600 to blow 3radiators in one year. I have a new one now that was under warranty but it would be nice to figure why the right side seals are going bad. Any sugestion.

Full-size pickup sales - F-150 best selling truck, but for how much longer??

• Re: new F150 [dino6]

  Written by: cruiser69 on Jan 30, 2008 2:52:37 PM

  Great post. A very good breakdown of the market. I am hoping and praying i can purchase a new F-150 and give America one more shot at producing a quality, long term vehicle. My biggest concern is that Ford is not as financially stable as GM and has not pumped the necessary cash into their products to get the quality back up. I own both a 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis and ... Read More

Ford F-Series Electrical and Lighting Problems

• Re: 1998 Ford F150 tails will not work [mickeymouse2]

  Written by: vibe98 on Jan 21, 2008 2:33:37 PM

  They told me about $1000 but did not tell for sure even though I did ask. But it was 6-8 wire that were cut and melted the wire loom plus the black tape. Just that alone costed me $377.12, $356 for labor and $20 for parts. They resolder the wires and put on a fresh loom and tape. Yeah I guess this is the cheaper way but I still wanted to ... Read More

• Re: 1998 Ford F150 tails will not work [vibe98]

  Written by: mickeymouse2 on Jan 21, 2008 1:55:43 PM

  How much would a wire harness cost from the back to front? You would have to check with the dealer on that. I'm willing to bet that after you do, you will decide to repair the one that is damaged.

• Re: 1998 Ford F150 tails will not work [mickeymouse2]

  Written by: vibe98 on Jan 21, 2008 10:49:21 AM

  The wire harness under the truck bed by the shock was cut. It probably happened when I changed out shocks by the shop. The wire loom was melted through plus the black tape was melted. Thanks for all the help. How much would a wire harness cost from the back to front?

• Re: 1998 Ford F150 tails will not work [vibe98]

  Written by: mickeymouse2 on Jan 19, 2008 6:12:52 PM

  Your parking lights are on the same circut as your tail lights and license plate light. Forget about your other lights for now. You either are missing ground or positive for the tail lights and plate light. Take a test light to one of the sockets and see which one is missing. You may have just lost a good enough ground for the bed of the truck.

• 1998 Ford F150 tails will not work

  Written by: vibe98 on Jan 19, 2008 2:12:55 PM

  Well it has been -4 degrees with an wind chill of -20 but I am doing my best to check the sockets. I do have brake lights, hazzard lights, change all light bulbs in the tail lights again, change the fuse in slot 18 with a 5amp fuse, plus I do have front parking lights and hazzards and headlights. But no tails and license plate lights. I did locate the conector ... Read More

• Re: 1998 Ford F150 tails will not work [vibe98]

  Written by: mickeymouse2 on Jan 17, 2008 6:34:18 PM

  Do you have power and ground at the socket? With what you have already stated you must be missing one of them. If you have power going through the fuse, and I mean you tested it with a test light. It could be something wrong with the harness. I would double check the bulbs you used, and make sure they are pushed into the sockets correctly. The little metal tabs sometimes ... Read More

• 1998 Ford F150 tails will not work

  Written by: vibe98 on Jan 17, 2008 3:39:10 PM

  what can be the cause of the tail lights and the license plate lights not to work. I have change light bulbs, the light switch and the fuse inside the truck under the dash. Any suggestions?

Ford F-Series Climate Control

• ford 1998 f150 climate issue

  Written by: kj4mj on Dec 13, 2007 11:45:25 AM

  Sometimes I have heat and sometimes I do not. Had anti-freeze, thermostat replace. Did not hear hissing sound when changing to floor, froster, ect. Had that replaced too. Not sure what the issue is now. Anyone have the same issue or anything close to that.

Half-ton Pickups - The full field

• Re: I hope they don't let the F150 go the [obyone]

  Written by: kdhspyder on Oct 3, 2007 12:08:50 PM

  way of the ranger. From class leading to the bottom of the heap with the last major redesign in 1998. Sometimes you just can't figure out what they are thinking. Here's some additional background about the Ranger. There is now a Free Trade Agreement ( FTA ) with Thailand sitting waiting to be signed by both countries. So what. Well Thailand is the 2nd largest producer of trucks in the world ... Read More

Ford F-Series Transmission Problems

• Ford F-150 1998 Automatic shift indicator

  Written by: mberger on Sep 30, 2007 6:15:34 AM

  I'm having a slight problem that is driving me nuts. Shift indicator is off almost one notch. How do you adjust it to indicate the right gear?? Been that way since new.

Ford F-150 Owners

• 1198 F150ZL with 233,000+ Miles

  Written by: fordal on Aug 25, 2006 9:58:57 PM

  My 1998 F150 XL went dead today at a traffic light. Towed it to the Ford dealer and I'm waiting for diagnosis tomorrow. Hoping it's battery, alternator or something fixable. I am very, very attached to that truck, as I was to the Ford Explorer we had before we bought the truck. Never thought I would like anything as much as that Explorer, this F150 proved me wrong! I've read with ... Read More

Ford F-Series: Problems & Solutions

• 98 F150 with 233,000+ Miles

  Written by: fordal on Aug 25, 2006 9:32:36 PM

  My 1998 F150 XL went dead today at a traffic light. Towed it to the Ford dealer and I'm waiting for diagnosis tomorrow. Hoping it's battery, alternator or something fixable. I am very, very attached to that truck, as I was to the Ford Explorer we had before we bought the truck. Never thought I would like anything as much as that Explorer, this F150 proved me wrong! I've read with ... Read More

Ford F-Series Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• 1998 Ford F-150 Lariat

  Written by: jvigil88 on Aug 9, 2006 11:50:34 AM

  Looking at purchasing a 1998 Ford F-150 V8 short bed with 180,000 miles and shell. It has leather and a 6 disk changer. Asking is $3000. Problems: Heater wont work, cracked windshield Do you think this is a good price? Are they any problems with this year? I am worried about the mileage, I have never bought something with that many on it before. Any help would be great!!!

Ford F-Series: Problems & Solutions

• Re: 1998 F-150 ABS improper actuation [fpd7]

  Written by: jallan on Dec 10, 2005 5:44:51 PM

  Thanks for your reply. I will look into the sensors. The interseting thing is that the ABS system worked fine until I replaced the left front caliper and front rotors. Immediately after the ABS malfunction occurred. My local garage could find no failure callout with his code reader so he recommended i see a Ford dealer. I guess that is what I must do as I am not sure how to ... Read More

• 1998 F-150 ABS improper actuation

  Written by: jallan on Dec 4, 2005 2:51:09 PM

  My 1998 F-150 Lariat ABS system began malfunctioning immediately after I replaced the left front brake caliper with a rebuilt and installed new bendix brake pads and bendix rotors. I have the 5.4 L engine with 72,000 miles. I believe I bled the system properly. The problem is that as I coming to a slow stop and am nearly stopped the ABS frquently actuates unexpectedly causing the truck to roll forward ... Read More

• Re: 2000 Ford F-150 Big Problem - Need Help [bear54]

  Written by: moran1 on Jun 1, 2005 5:49:00 AM

  When you buy a truck or a car but more with trucks you have to check the ball joints from time to time there are no grease fittings there sealed units. Lift the tires off the ground a few inches or on a lift and put a bar under the tire and rock the tire and check to see how much it moves it should not move at all if it ... Read More

• Re: 2000 Ford F-150 Big Problem - Need Help [bear54]

  Written by: butch877 on Apr 26, 2005 5:23:04 PM

  I had the same problem with my 1998. I was fortunate in that it happened when I exited a highway where i was traveling at 70 mph. I was lucky because my ball joint snapped off after leaving a stop sign. This is an inherent problem with Ford, there are no grease fittings, it is suggested that you lift the rubber boot to check for moisture. If moisture is present it ... Read More

• Re: '04 resale [aspesisteve]

  Written by: butch877 on Apr 21, 2005 6:40:59 PM

  I have the same problem. I had tires road-force balanced, 4 new tires, new rack and pinion gear, front end alignement, bed dampner (a hunk of metal bolted to the bed underside) removed the bed and repositioned the bed, now Ford is refusing to repair the truck they say it is within design standards. Ford won't return my e-mails. My dealer won't return my calls. I have owned a pick-up for ... Read More

Nissan Titan vs. Ford F150

• re:A five horsepower difference makes one truck anemic? by saddaddy [fordysomthg]

  Written by: titaneese on Apr 19, 2005 9:03:31 PM

  Mr. Fordysmthg, help me to understand how I forced the american auto manufacturers to build inferior products and stamp made in canada and made in mexico all over my new ford F-150 I bought and paid for in 1998. Hey I'm 40 years old and I remember the mentality towards the japanese and I want more than anything to buy american products and support american workers. That is why I'm so ... Read More

Ford F-Series: Problems & Solutions

• You gotta be kidding ------FORD

  Written by: titaneese on Apr 14, 2005 5:45:41 AM

  My 1966 F-100 doesn't vibrate, my 1967 mustang fastback doesn't vibrate, my 1998 F-150 doesn't vibrate. You gotta be kidding ------FORD and all their engineers and techs can't fix this vibration problem in what 2 years? If you detect that I am disgruntled it's because I am. I am because I would like to buy a new truck the money is burning a hole in my pocket but I can't justify ... Read More

• spark plug blew out!

  Written by: norwood on Oct 1, 2004 11:48:52 AM

  Hi everyone, wanted to know if anyone has had this happen. I've got a 1998 f-150(totally stock) that has blown 2 sparks plugs..one they were able to screw back in, some threads left.(that was a couple years ago) The latest one blew out about a week ago like a shotgun blast and took the threads with it. The Easy Care extended warranty I bough from the Ford dealer at 35,000 miles ... Read More

Ford F-150 Owners

• Re: yep..he's right........ [tbunder]

  Written by: norwood on Oct 1, 2004 11:14:05 AM

  Hi tbunder, or anyone:) wanted to find out what happened to your sister's 5.4. I've got a 1998 f-150 that has blown 2 sparks plugs..one they were able to screw back in, some threads left.(that was a couple years ago) The latest one blew out like a shotgun blast and took the threads with it. The Easy Care extended warranty I bough from the Ford dealer at 35,000 miles didn't want ... Read More

Ford F-Series Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• My F150 full of holes and a crack

  Written by: smiller on Jun 24, 2004 8:45:57 AM

  I sold my 1989 Toyota pick-up with 160,000 miles on it because it had a slight back seal leak. It always performed very well- never let me down. I should have had it repaired but I needed a bigger truck to haul things, my wife and two daughters. I couldn't find a good used Toyota truck in my price range within 50 miles of my home. I looked for a long ... Read More

Ford F-Series: Problems & Solutions

• ford f-150 wiper problems

  Written by: fordgirl on Jun 10, 2004 11:06:43 AM

  I have a 1998 for f-150 with a lot of serious problems that I have been dealing with lately. I am starting to think I have an electrical problem. I bought the lemon check and nothing showed up but it seems that my truck has been submerged in water at some point in its life. So my question is...How do I fix my wipers?, they dont work at all. They used ... Read More

• Re: Fords Secret Warranty [jrc346 #622]

  Written by: carlf150 on Apr 20, 2004 10:55:12 PM

  i have 1998 f-150 xlt ext cab 2wheel drive. automatic, 4.6v8. it has 86,000miles.this vehicle is like new. the transmission blew. they told me it was a palintine? cost me 2600. it has shaken my confidence in my truck . such low miles is there any recourse i can take. it is out of warrantyby 6mths. was checked by ford dealer under warranty and was told nothing was wrong. 6mths later ... Read More

• F-150 Heater Core

  Written by: joed17 on Jan 8, 2003 7:44:23 PM

  My 1998 Ford Had A Minor Electrical fire,When I got It back from the dealer I had Anti-freeze in the cab they said the H-core melted.It was replaced.A week later I had Anti freeze Steaming tru the vents,Dealer said the core was Defective,and they replaced it,He also told me when I picked up the truck I had a leak in the radiator.Well I saw the leak but there was no leak ... Read More