I have an opportunity to buy a used 2010 F150 4x4 Lariat with 140,000 miles and wanted to hear if there are any pitfalls to avoid with that year, engine (5.4 V8) and mileage. I listed the full specs below. I don't have a price yet but maybe $7-8k?

I owned an 04' that had the stuck spark plugs but hopefully that is something that they fixed by 2010.

I buy used F150's regularly for my business. The number one issue we have with them are the transmission. I think that year predates the fully integrated electronics. That being said I plan on spending $3500 on everyone that I buy at about the 150,000 mile mark.

I would check into who were the previous users because that has a big impact on the wear and tear on the engine and transmission.

It is one owner (my brother in law). He doesn't really beat it to hell but, it is his non-garage kept get back and forth to work and ranch with.

Is the $3500 to rebuild the transmission or a new one? Once you drop that money into it, how many miles are you getting out of the trucks for your business?

Have a 2010 Lariat 2wd with 171k or 176k can't recall, but transmission is on it's way out. I've had it for close to 7 years, bought it with ~117k, has really only been routine maintenance except a leaking timing gasket cover recently, and an oil pan. Otherwise everything has worked as its supposed to. I'd happily buy a well cared for 2010 4x4 for $7-8k so if you don't want it I'll take it.

The $3500 is for a rebuilt one. We get another 35 to 40,000 miles out of it after that. But my employees drive like idiots. I think it is probably a good value for you. And I would probably buy it if I were you.

Transmissions would last much longer if fluids were changed every 40k miles or so. Manufactures says it's lifetime fluid but that's a load of you know what. My current 2014 f150 still going strong at 196,000 miles and have done nothing but change fluids. Shifts just like it did new.

It seems I grossly underestimated the used market for F150s as they are going for $16-24k. At that price point it is likely a lot more than I want spend for that many miles. Thoughts?

Was gonna say it sounded like a pretty good "brother in law" kinda deal.

Yep, you know the history. Buying from family/friends is an easy decision

2015-2019s are going for that. A 2010 with that many miles is going for closer to $10k. That is is 14 year old truck. Tell your brother in law to stop being greedy.

Sold a 2009 base king ranch 4x4 to an Acura dealer for $8500 and it had a 12k wreck in 2019 that included frame being bent and subsequently bent straight. Would have sold it on here if it wasn't for that. The ac was also busted and only blew tepid air. They listed it a week later at 15k and it was gone the next day.

I think ur looking at closer to 12-13 mkt value with a private party 10-11k

All that being said it was a great truck,
No ****** issues to speak of.

My son now drives my 2010 F-150 4x2 King Ranch. No mechanical issues that I can recall, but only has 50K miles on it.

Check the A/C and heat air flow from all the vents.

The vent door actuators fail regularly. The one under the glove box is a snap. The other one requires removing the dash, which is an all day job to replace a $35 part.

If it has a sunroof, make sure it isn't leaking and works. The plastic bits on these get brittle and break, and seize the sunroof in the open position. About a 6 hour job to fix that involves removing the pillars and headliner. Once you own it, never open the sunroof again.

Check for crimping of the wiring harnesses on the rear passenger doors. They tend to crimp and break wires that produce a "door ajar" warning light.

Plugs on the 2010 are not an issue.

2010 not the worst years but watch this.
My son has 2010 with over 250K on original transmission, has changed fluid a few time but its probably due overhaul. Also due for the typical 4.6/5.4 3V timimg chaim and vct. The proper routine oil service during its life is critical. There also is potential for roller follower failure, listen for the tic in drive through lanes, makes it obvious.
That said i would buy it before i would buy anything with a 3.5 ecoboost. I know many that think they are wonderful but i know plenty that spent 12K at 75K miles and still did not get working vehicles back. For the moment i am sticking with the NA vehicles
A new transmission should be a 150k+ life extension

Second on the blend doors

Blend door actuator is annoying buy nothing that would affect buy or not for me. Front screw is a pia but buy the oem part so you have to do it fewer times and spend a few hours doing it yourself.

How big a deal the driver's side blend actuator is depends on your desire for A/C, and your comfort wish pulling the dash as a DIY project.

I wouldn't let it prevent me from buying the truck -- but factor in the cost if it is bad and you are going to pay to get it fixed, because I am pretty sure it is a ~$800-1000 job because of the labor required.

It isn't technically hard, but it is fiddly and the dash is heavy -- especially if you are trying to do it as a 1-person job.

I flush and change my silverado's every 25k and no issues at 153k currently

Do NOT buy a 5.4 without watching the Car Wizard's complete set of videos on them. I think there are years that are worse than others, but I also don't think he recommends any of them. That's old enough where you should be able to buy a 5.0 or 3.5 boost for not much more from 2011 or 12.



Seriously, from that era, its a no-brainer to go Tundra.

91AggieLawyer said:

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Do NOT buy a 5.4 without watching the Car Wizard's complete set of videos on them. I think there are years that are worse than others, but I also don't think he recommends any of them. That's old enough where you should be able to buy a 5.0 or 3.5 boost for not much more from 2011 or 12.



Seriously, from that era, its a no-brainer to go Tundra.

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Fear pr0nz.

Welcome to the party 1ags! What is "Fear pr0nz"?

I assume you have an opinion on the 2010 model year and 5.4 engine and in my experience it is a very trustworthy opinion.

1agswitchin4lanes said:

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91AggieLawyer said:

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Do NOT buy a 5.4 without watching the Car Wizard's complete set of videos on them. I think there are years that are worse than others, but I also don't think he recommends any of them. That's old enough where you should be able to buy a 5.0 or 3.5 boost for not much more from 2011 or 12.



Seriously, from that era, its a no-brainer to go Tundra.

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Fear pr0nz.

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Explain further, please.

He means that the video is over hyped.

I owned a 5.4 and ran it til it had 250k on it, no major issues ever.

OnlyForNow said:

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He means that the video is over hyped.

I owned a 5.4 and ran it til it had 250k on it, no major issues ever.

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Exactly this.

The v8Modular engine family is a solid bet, as long as they're maintained well. The key is to find one with a solid maintenance history or buy from someone you know that has maintained them well. The biggest issue these had was people running longer oil change intervals and destroying the timing system. Modular V8 engines in cop cars and taxi cabs are tortured on a daily basis and you still see them in service, even though the last panther was made 12 years
Ago. Many airport parking shuttles still rolling v10 mod motors. And you still see tons of expeditions and F150s rolling around with this gen of engine.

Don't listen to the anecdotal evidence from forums and people complaining online. Don't get me wrong. I love the YouTubers that make documentary videos on deep dives but the "fear porn " they make is purely for views and reactions to get their clicks and money.

Just my .02. Ymmv.

In your opinion, what is a fair price for that truck buying it private party from brother in law? It is obviously something lower than the insanity on the internet from dealers $16-24 and above KBB or any other site like that. I want us both to walk away feeling good about the transaction.

brush99 said:

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In your opinion, what is a fair price for that truck buying it private party from brother in law? It is obviously something lower than the insanity on the internet from dealers $16-24 and above KBB or any other site like that. I want us both to walk away feeling good about the transaction.

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I'd need to see photos and maintenance history

Email sent.

Halconblack said:

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2015-2019s are going for that. A 2010 with that many miles is going for closer to $10k. That is is 14 year old truck. Tell your brother in law to stop being greedy.

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My 2012 is valued around $15k. With the price of new trucks, it's seems correct.

I have a 2008 with the 5.4 with over 250k miles with no issues.

1agswitchin4lanes said:

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OnlyForNow said:

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He means that the video is over hyped.

I owned a 5.4 and ran it til it had 250k on it, no major issues ever.

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Exactly this.

The v8Modular engine family is a solid bet, as long as they're maintained well. The key is to find one with a solid maintenance history or buy from someone you know that has maintained them well. The biggest issue these had was people running longer oil change intervals and destroying the timing system. Modular V8 engines in cop cars and taxi cabs are tortured on a daily basis and you still see them in service, even though the last panther was made 12 years
Ago. Many airport parking shuttles still rolling v10 mod motors. And you still see tons of expeditions and F150s rolling around with this gen of engine.

Don't listen to the anecdotal evidence from forums and people complaining online. Don't get me wrong. I love the YouTubers that make documentary videos on deep dives but the "fear porn " they make is purely for views and reactions to get their clicks and money.

Just my .02. Ymmv.

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I understand your point about a lot of YT channels, but what incentive does he have to dog this particular engine? In his other videos, he has high praise for the 4.6, which is the one that powers most of the vehicles you're talking about here.

What is the link between claiming one variant of the 5.4 sucks and getting more clicks on a YT channel?

You've torn these things apart; I haven't. Hell, I don't even think I've driven a vehicle with a 5.4. If no one wants to click on him or a video, don't. That's the nice thing about message boards: any advice can be ignored. Me? He sounds legit and I'd go with exactly what I said at the bottom of my original post: TUNDRA. Regardless of whether this guy is hack or not, there is no debate that the Tundras from that era are far better trucks (at least the engines) than the 5.4 Fords. I don't care if you can put a truck together blindfolded and I don't know the difference between a radiator and carburetor. I'll still engage anyone in that debate.

He probably had to change spark plugs in the 5.4 multiple times. It's make almost anyone want to send that engine to hell.