[oldE]

Dueller,

I have a '98 F-150, 4.2 , 5-speed with a regular cab and an 8 foot box.

We bought this truck used in 2004, from a neighbor. When purchased, it had 36,000 kilometers on it. We wanted it for pulling our horse trailer, so were pleased to see it had a tow package.

I had been leary of the Fords as they were reputed to have problems with ball joints and tie rod ends and the frames are reputed to rust badly in the salt-heavy environment of a Maritime winter, but knew we wouldn't find a better one so went with it.

In the past four years, I have had it (over)loaded with 53 bales of hay from time to time. It has pulled the horse trailer without complaint. Usually there is only one (a 16-3 hand Morgan), but it has taken two standard-breds over the mountain without problem. A neighbor has borrowed it to bring two Icelandics from Moncton, about a 5 hour trip. She had no problems and was surprised when we told her afterward it was a 6. She has an older 5 liter V-8, which she didn't feel comfortable with on the long trip.

The truck has about 75,000 km on it now. It works well. The only problem I can think of was the plastic flashing covering the seat-back pivot on the driver's seat had a rough flashing on its edge. Getting in and out of the truck allowed that flashing to catch the fabric of the slacks I was wearing and ruined two pair of slacks before I realized what was causing the problem and sanded the edge of the plastic cover.

Hope this helps.
Les