Yes the parts are probably less expensive for the Ford. My main problem with the Ford is how much it can tow. It has the 4.2L V6 with a 5 speed manual trans. It's maximum tow rating is 3300lbs. I'm assuming that's because of the transmission. Anyway my wife is wanting a camper and finding something that she will camp in is close to impossible. We had a older Coleman pop up that was light weight but it started having structural problems so we sold it. Newer pop ups weights when loaded start getting at or over my tow rating. Wouldn't mind another F150 but as I said truck prices around here at least are crazy. Looked at a 2010 f150 4x4 with just over 100k on the clock that sold for just under $20,000. Maybe you I'm the one that's crazy but that seems nuts to me.

Espenically on a non-interference RWD I4 (I love my Lima)

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Can be, I've done a few, biggest timing belt pain was a transverse mitsu v6, but that had more to do with getting access to it. Worst job I've done is the chain tensioners on a Ford 4.0 at 120k. Whole engine had to come out. Either that or the trans has to come out, flywheel pulled, etc. Common problem on them, especially if it hasn't had great maintenance.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

The Ford 4.0 is my favorite engine. Only Ford would have had the ingenuity to mount one of the cam chains on the back of the block...

Got more info on the Sequoia. Has a check engine light on, the o2 sensor is bad. Owner took it to Toyota to replace it. Toyota tried to remove it but it is stuck in the manifold. Toyota told the owner they could try to remove it but it was possible they might break the manifold in the process. If that happened it would be big bucks. The owner left it be and bought his wife a new Sequoia. I’m probably going to pass but boy it’s a nice truck inside and out plus drives nice.

The 2001 f150 gearbox is plenty strong as long as you don't lug it in 5th it will last. Its the clutch that is the weak point. Ford used the same transmission for their old straight six that put out over 400ftlbs torque. It has straight cut gears. Pretty formidable actually if you drive it correctly. Its the people who go 55 in 5th that wreck the bearings in the gearbox. Get a high performance clutch and regear the diff and the Ford with the MD05 will tow at the rated capacity of the Fordf150 4.2 automatic which is much greater. The ford is as good as the toy IMHO. That 4.2 has a good reputation after they fixed the first round 98-99 timing chain cover gasket issue. They regularly go over 350k. My 4.2 f150 has 200k miles and does not burn a drop of oil. It will go another 100k for sure. I am about to do the clutch in mine. Oh and that 19mph for the f150 is BS.if you drive it correctly it gets 16-17 combined. Never lug it in 5th even if it gives you better mileage. Absolutely never 5th gear if carrying a load. Most gearboxes are not designed to be used in OD while under heavy load. Just s o you know the same gearbox was in the 5.0 mustangs too. My buddy had one of those and really banged on it hard always drop clutching it and peeling out . The MDO5 in the F150 is more formidable than the mustangs MD05 because of the straight cut gears. It can be a bit notchy on the shifting though.

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Chris
84 280sl
82 300d euro

The 4.7 can easily go 300K - mine has. Strange for a dealer to say that about an exhaust manifold. Even if it did get broken I would think you could get a boneyard manifold for almost nothing.

Chris W.
ex '95 E300D 467K

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Objects in closer are mirror than they appear.