Used 1997 Ford F-150 Extended Cab Consumer Reviews
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Reliable Lariart
Lhr Vati, 09/29/2003
1997 Ford F-150 Lariat 3dr Extended Cab SB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This truck was an excelent purchase. I've never had a single issue with it and it has been a reliable workhorse.
Loved my Alice!
Jamie, 10/09/2017
1997 Ford F-150 Lariat 3dr Extended Cab SB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought my f150 used, 20 years old, with 313,000 miles on it when I bought her. The only real problem I had was with the multifunction switch wore harnesses. I didn't get to finish fixing that before someone hit me last week and totaled her. Had I been in any other vehicle, or not had the grill guard it would have been way worse. My truck basically hugged us and kept us from being seriously injured. Even with as many miles as she had, 340,000 at the time of her death, she was the most dependable, comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. I would not hesitate to take her anywhere! Awesome truck!!
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Nice Overall Truck
matt howard, 01/08/2005
1997 Ford F-150 XLT 3dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have had this truck for 6 months and it has been reliable. I love the way it looks inside and out. It is a great truck to have if you want to have fun and go offroad or just drive onroad. It has a comfortable ride and it is very comfortable also. This truck also looks real nice with big tires and a lift kit put on it. I will probably buy another Ford truck when I decide to buy another one. I would recommend this truck to anyone.
Want the truth?
Blake, 05/03/2016
1997 Ford F-150 XL 3dr Extended Cab LB (4.2L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I have a '97 XL Extended cab 3-door, with a 4.2L V-6, 5-speed manual transmission, and 2WD. This is a good truck, with just a couple of exceptions. Unless it has been repaired or replaced in the truck you're looking at, beware of the 1997 4.2-liter V-6. This engine was initially built with a too-thin intake manifold gasket, which caused many of these engines to leak coolant into the #1 cylinder. The resulting hydro-lock caused many of these engines to grenade at around 100,000 miles (ranging from as low as 60K to 140K), and send pistons, rods, etc., through the block or oil pan. HOWEVER, if the gasket has been replaced with the updated one, or if the long block has been replaced after a blown engine, then these engines are totally reliable and powerful. I bought mine at 114,000 miles with a new long block, and at 182,000 miles it runs perfectly. Mine is a little spare in 'creature comforts,' but it's a truck. PS, PB, tilt wheel, cruise, but otherwise cloth bench seats, vinyl flooring, and an adequate sound system. It has the tow package, with hitch, trailer brake, and both 4- and 7-pin connectors. Mine also has a bed liner and matching cap. The truck tows beautifully, with only one real concern- the extended-cab is so long and the front wheels located so far to the front of the truck, that this mandates small, gentle steering inputs to prevent 'sphincter-slamming' yaw and veering one way or the other. You learn quickly to use an easy touch. Estimates for gas mileage are at best, laughable. Mine ranges from 12 in the city to as high as 14 highway... tops. Period. And yes, the engine was properly run-in; I did it myself. Got the truck with only 600 miles on this engine. Doesn't leak or burn a drop of oil or coolant, and is as dependable as any vehicle I've ever owned. I love this truck, and I do not plan to replace it. Ever.
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Original Owner, Great Value Truck
Bad da Bingg, 02/13/2009
1997 Ford F-150 XLT 3dr Extended Cab SB (4.2L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought the 4.6 L V8 4x4 XLT when our kids were just small enough to fit easily in the extended cab. Now that they're grown and gone, the truck keeps on doing truck duty. Those are boat hauling, camping, motorcycle transport and skiing. This truck has needed brakes and shocks but nothing else beyond routine maintenance. I look at newer trucks and laugh at the pricing and fuel efficiency, my truck still compares nicely.
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