1993 Ford F150 XL review from North America

Up to 100,000 only minor normal wear items serviced. eg.. brakes, plugs, hoses, thermostat, antifreeze, oil changes etc... Total cost $700 to $800 or so. All serviced myself (DIY).

Wiper washer stopped working at 110,000. Needed new wiper motor : Cost $46.00 DIY.

Torque converter replaced at 140,000. Cost $320.00.

Radiator replaced at 145,000. Cost $180 DIY.

Starter replaced at 146,000. Oil pan gasket leaked onto it causing it to fail. Cost $120. DIY.

Oil pan gasket replaced at 147,000. Cost $120.

Radius arm bushings replaced at 155,000. Cost $220.

Alternator failed at 185,000. Cost $85 DIY.

Rear leaf spring brackets rusted through at 190,000. Cost $500 by Ford dealer (huge ripoff)

Thermostat housing and water nipple replaced at 194,000 Cost $68.

EGR valve needs to be replaced. Its making a rattling sound when I step on the gas. Estimated cost, about $100.

Overall a decent truck. Trouble free up to 100,000 miles, but many problems started thereafter. Most I was able to service myself, but too often the parts were not available at Autozone or other parts places so they had to be ordered from Ford at ripoff rates. The biggest problem with such a high mileage, old truck is parts failing due to rust. Many stuck rusted bolts requiring a professional to remove.

Have had a persistant pinging problem that started at 20,000 miles. Many wasted trips to the Ford dealer under warranty, including many hours spent in the dealership waiting rooms for this one problem. Especially annoying because each time the Ford dealer claimed it was fixed, only for the ping to show up as I was driving out of the dealership (don't they test drive these things). Up to now, the pinging has never been fixed.

Fuel mileage is terrible. I get about 14 city, 18 highway. My old 1978 F150 gets 17 city, 23 highway. Apparantly fuel injection doesn't make these trucks any more efficient.

Road manners are very good for a truck this size. It brakes in a straight line and corners with minimal body lean. The tight turn radius is very handy when negotiating parking lots and other tight spaces.

Engine is a little underpowered for serious towing, but it gets the job done.

The Vinyl bench seat is very comfortable and driving positiong is superb with a very clear view of the road.

Road noise is fairly well muffled, but the engine can get a little loud at higher RPMs. Not really a problem because the engine pulls well at lower RPMs.

Overall this F150 has served me well. I can recommend an F150 of this vintage only if you are capable of doing repairs yourself. After 120,000 things will go wrong left right and centre. This will prove to be too much of an expense for those who are not mechanically inclined.