5.4 Triton. 3V

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mcampers
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8:05p, 5/25/26
Looking for some advice from folks with experience with these motors. My FIL can no longer drive, and has gifted us with his 2006 F-150 with the 5.4 Triton with 65K miles.

I am somewhat familiar with the issues associtated with these motors: spark plugs, cam phaser, oil pump, etc. It is an Idaho truck, so a little rust, and needs mostly comestic work. Seats are not in great shape, and the stock stero with CD would need replaced, Ball joints need replaced, as well, front suspension is a little loose. I drove it home from ID last week, and it ran and performed fine.

I don't really need another truck, but this could very well make a solid hunting rig. So I am asking, is it worth dumping money into this thing, or is the 5.4 that bad, that I should just get rid of it?
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TXAG 05
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8:12p, 5/25/26
AG
I had 2 of them and I got 275k miles out of each of them without doing much more than changing the oil.
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UmustBKidding
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8:19p, 5/25/26
My sons 2010 is sitting outside right now with 285000. Has put 15000 on in the last 6 months with 0 issues. It needs roller followers, timing chain and guides but has since 150000. Has the tic. Torn about spending $1000 on parts and two days doing the work since I already have 2 spare vehicles. If it has had religious maintenance its likely fine for 100000 more miles. But 20yo vehicles are for people who can do the work themselves.
I did some speculative maintenance on it. Swept out the front end, bought the mevotek kit of control arms, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. Whole kit was less than the quote for one steering link at an independent shop but took about 4hr to do all the work. My expedition is a 2013 I bought used since 2014 and newer are ecoboost only. The 5.4 is not a deal killer.


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P.H. Dexippus
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9:27p, 5/25/26
AG
Have an 2006 3v 5.4L Mark LT. Other than the occasional ignition coil going out or mystery loss of power issue or destruction by hail (in fairness, 20yo coolant hoses are due for replacement), it's been a relatively trouble-free 300k miles. As mentioned, the roller followers and the plastic timing chain tensioners are a known point of failure that usually give you fair warning before the issue becomes dire. If it's not rusted out it's worth keeping.
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maverick12
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9:21a, 5/26/26
AG
My 2004 5.4 had over 225k miles on it and was pretty reliable. No cam phaser issues but the alternator did have to be replaced a couple of times.
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Trinity Ag
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10:36a, 5/26/26
S
The plugs are the worst part of these.

Buy the Lisle tool and DIY. It takes a little figuring out, but will save you ~$900.

You can try the Ford service bulletin technique of soaking with PB Blaster, do a quarter turn, resoak -- but I my experience you will still break 5-6 of the 8.

But you only have to do it once.
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Shelton98
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In reply to Trinity Ag • 1:29p, 5/26/26
AG
Trinity Ag said:
The plugs are the worst part of these.

Buy the Lisle tool and DIY. It takes a little figuring out, but will save you ~$900.

You can try the Ford service bulletin technique of soaking with PB Blaster, do a quarter turn, resoak -- but I my experience you will still break 5-6 of the 8.

But you only have to do it once.

/\ this.

'07 Expedition made it 305K before I traded it in. Had 3-piece plugs changed at ~ 175K. Mechanic told me to run through two tanks of gas with a can of Seafoam each before bringing it to him. Still broke 5.
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rwtxag83
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7:08p, 5/29/26
AG
My '08 Lariat Super Crew has 354k miles. Water pump at 260k, alternator around the same. My transmission gave out today, so there's that, but I'm gonna get it fixed. My mechanic thinks I can get another 100k out of it. Mechanic changed out the funky plugs long ago, so not an issue.

Best vehicle I've ever owned even the paint job is still great, except for a small spot on the roof, but like I said...

354k miles.

Back when they switched to the 2.3 turbos, I got invited to a rollout with the F-150 Vehicle team fro Detroit. I was talking to one of their engineers and told him I loved my 5.4L, and he told me 'Do NOT get rid of that truck!'
Greater love hath no man than this....
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frankm01
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10:26p, 5/29/26
I had a 2009 Lariat that I traded in with close to 200k. Best vehicle I've ever owned. Replaced plugs, radiator hoses at 100k, coils at 150k (no problems, just preventative). Trans fluid once or twice.

I wouldn't think twice about keeping it.
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