Keep fixing a truck or sell it

All mighty beeb what would thine do in such a situation. I've got a truck that every year I've got to put in $1500 or so to fix a problem it seems like. The truck is a 2013 Ford f150 3.5 Eco boost with 143k miles. In the past 2 or 3 years I've fixed the ,Oil Pump, Valve covers, Brake calipers and lines, and Water pump. On top of doing my own brakes, rotors spark plugs, and normal oil changes etc. I maybe forgetting some other things.

I've now got the cam phaser knocking which I was quoted 3500-4000 to fix. I owe a little bit on the truck that I could pay off, but every time I think about paying it off, something else breaks and I'm like wtf. I don't necessarily think I want a new truck because I feel like I'm at the point where I'll have fixed most of the things that will break for the time being... But it is a Ford. Besides the knocking on cold start up, it actually is driving great and the interior is in great shape. Continuing to fix the truck is cheaper than a new or new used truck I suspect but dagum I'm sick of working on this thing.

Has anyone here done the cam phaser treatment on your truck? Have you had any issues since? If you were to dump the truck. What are some good years and models out there, Chevy, ram, tundra? I think I'm done with Ford for awhile after this one.

 

3.5 Ecoboost?
Replacing the turbos and cats is coming soon
Go on YT, look up the Car Wizards recent Lincoln MkT video

Time to offload that turkey

 

Sounds like it is time for an LS swap.

 

I noticed you didn't recommend a Stellantis transplant

 

You are correct, Sir!

 

So the quoted repair is about half the price of a year’s truck payments and higher insurance premiums.

 

Keep it on the road if you are able, new shit isn't any better or cheaper now. I have 2008 F150 that I am about to do chassis/suspension stuff to keep it on road and much cheaper then truck payments.

 

Let me know when you get a mystery beep....

 

There's a bushing or two that keep squeaking when I get body roll on my 2017 F350 that annoys the shit out of me. I'll prolly get a new truck soon.

 

Twist it to the right, and rip off the knob…

 

On a more serious note, when they start nickel and diming me, and more importantly, repeatedly threaten to leave me stranded, I'm I'm on to a new one. If that doesn't happen, I'll drive them until the wheels fall off. I'm not a car guy and they're very utilitarian to me.

 

Over the past 2 years, I’ve dumped well over 4k…….likely closer to 5k into getting my 03 tundra up to snuff. If it was anything else it would have been gone. Trucks are utilitarian to me also, but I get a little emotional attachments to my yotas and run them til I see the road at my feet

 

Yeah Im at the point where i dont want a new truck and I like mine but I’m like when is too much repair too much.

maybe I take my wife’s suv and get her something better. Id rather her have something newer

 

Unless you hate it, I'd say keep it.

A brand new Tacoma SR5 4WD is $41K MSPR. No options.

At 3.99% w/ $2K down you're paying $620/month. For 72 months. If you squirrel away $500/month for maintenance (or some amount) you're still ahead unless your current monthly payment is outrageously high.

 

New trucks are unreliable and outrageously expensive. Used trucks from the age of quality American manufacturing have ridiculously high miles and are selling for stupid money. Lose/Lose. Have you perused the maxi-scooter thread?

 

I had two $3000 repairs to my Titan over a couple year period and if I had it to do over, I'd have sold it sooner. Sometimes cut and run is the right call.

 

This.

I'm gonna drive my current vehicle (2020 Gladiator) until it leaves me stranded enough to not want to deal with it anymore, but at 60K miles I think I've got another 10+ years before I even start thinking about that.

 

Thanks for sending that video. I went and did the tail pipe test on my truck and my finger came out black and greasy. I did the same on my wife's explorer and it was clean.

According to that video my turbo's are going and so are the cats. So that's about 4k for the cam phaser, 4-5k for the turbos, plus the cats

 

Anytime my wife does the tailpipe test on me her finger comes out black and greasy.

 

I knew there was a clue or two in that video for you.

I'm all in favor of driving them till they die, last two went 236k and 256k, Dodge minivans

Currently in a 21 4runner, hoping the 8 year old design precludes most modern issues, turbos and modules being at the top of the problem list