99.5 Black SE Limited (newer bodystyle) w/ 100k miles. One-owner and maintained really well. The seats were even covered the entire tire so they look new. The people were very nice as well. I got it very cheap, as they had a buyer backout and are just looking to move it. They said if they didn't sell it at the price I bought for they would've given it to their son for college.
So, now that I have it, I know it needs new tires. Going to get a set of Bridgestone Alenzas or Yokohama Geolanders. Not sure yet, both very highly rated on Tirerack.
I'm not sure if the timing belt has been done or not, anyone know what that'll run me on one of these? I'm assuming it's like any car that it needs to be done in the 80-100k range? Brakes still bite pretty good and there's no pulsating.
Any other reliability mods I should look into doing? I was thinking flushing the tranny fluid and putting some synthetic ATF. Also just changing all fluids. Not sure if the shocks need replacing or not, but that's another thing to consider. Also looking to get a remote start. I believe Autozone sells/installs them pretty cheap?
Was thinking of buying a warranty for it. Anyone know of a good one?
99.5 Black SE Limited (newer bodystyle) w/ 100k miles. One-owner and maintained really well. The seats were even covered the entire tire so they look new. The people were very nice as well. I got it very cheap, as they had a buyer backout and are just looking to move it. They said if they didn't sell it at the price I bought for they would've given it to their son for college.
So, now that I have it, I know it needs new tires. Going to get a set of Bridgestone Alenzas or Yokohama Geolanders. Not sure yet, both very highly rated on Tirerack.
I'm not sure if the timing belt has been done or not, anyone know what that'll run me on one of these? I'm assuming it's like any car that it needs to be done in the 80-100k range? Brakes still bite pretty good and there's no pulsating.
Any other reliability mods I should look into doing? I was thinking flushing the tranny fluid and putting some synthetic ATF. Also just changing all fluids. Not sure if the shocks need replacing or not, but that's another thing to consider. Also looking to get a remote start. I believe Autozone sells/installs them pretty cheap?
Was thinking of buying a warranty for it. Anyone know of a good one?
It has been said in the media and in many forums like this that extended warrenties of anykind are rarely worth the money. If the truck has a good history and is running well and well maintained you should be good....
I recomend 200-300 lbs of sand or salt in the back for the winter. Even in 4wd I have personally found my 97 se to be loose in the back on snowy roads until i got some weight back there....
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Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part........
Tires- I just put on Bridgestone Dueler AT Revo's. Seem almost universally loved. We'll see how they do this winter. My Goodyear Eagle LS are for sale ($150) if you're interested (only 15K on them).
Shocks- I put on the Monroe Reflex shocks & struts at 60K. Seem to slightly better then stock. Going to go for KYB and OME at 90K.
it was ridiculously high to get it done at the dealer --install 2 struts and 2 shocks..something like $400 I don't know what I was thinking. I Alreadt had the parts, that was all labor.
it was ridiculously high to get it done at the dealer --install 2 struts and 2 shocks..something like $400 I don't know what I was thinking. I Alreadt had the parts, that was all labor.
Yikes, $400 just for labor! Next time, bring it by my place. I'll do it for 10% less ... and fill your tank.
I did my shocks last year (originals were worn out after 12 years) and didn't even bust a knuckle - by far the easiest shock replacement I've ever done.
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Life is too short to take it too seriously
Yikes, $400 just for labor! Next time, bring it by my place. I'll do it for 10% less ... and fill your tank.
I did my shocks last year (originals were worn out after 12 years) and didn't even bust a knuckle - by far the easiest shock replacement I've ever done.
yeah, at the time, I was just trying to fix the vibration--- I'd just bought the truck, went thru one new rim, two alignments, two balances, and in desperation went at the suspension. Finally found out about the Road Force balancing...and voila!
Where are you located? I'd gladly bring it to ya if you can do mech. work..I'm about as mechanically inclined as a fish. Running great now, but I do wanna get poly bushings, redo the struts/shocks next year, flush out my fluids, etc. etc.
yeah, at the time, I was just trying to fix the vibration--- I'd just bought the truck, went thru one new rim, two alignments, two balances, and in desperation went at the suspension. Finally found out about the Road Force balancing...and voila!
Where are you located? I'd gladly bring it to ya if you can do mech. work..I'm about as mechanically inclined as a fish. Running great now, but I do wanna get poly bushings, redo the struts/shocks next year, flush out my fluids, etc. etc.
I'm in So. MD / Charles County. Where are you?
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Life is too short to take it too seriously
That's a nice area. At least it was quite a few years ago when I was last up that way.
My offer was somewhat in jest, but I would be willing to give you a hand and perhaps the opportunity to learn how to maintain your own vehicle. I'm not a mechanic by trade - changed my mind when I saw what it did to the human body over 30 years - but have rarely kept my hands clean since before my teen years. I grew up with Ford family and friends, so there was plenty of experience.
My son-in-law is a mechanic, though he would now rather be doing something else. Between the two of us, we could dazzle you with brilliance of baffle you with bs - and hopefully you wouldn't know the difference.
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Life is too short to take it too seriously
That's a nice area. At least it was quite a few years ago when I was last up that way.
My offer was somewhat in jest, but I would be willing to give you a hand and perhaps the opportunity to learn how to maintain your own vehicle. I'm not a mechanic by trade - changed my mind when I saw what it did to the human body over 30 years - but have rarely kept my hands clean since before my teen years. I grew up with Ford family and friends, so there was plenty of experience.
My son-in-law is a mechanic, though he would now rather be doing something else. Between the two of us, we could dazzle you with brilliance of baffle you with bs - and hopefully you wouldn't know the difference.
yeah, it's still pretty nice, altho undergoing rapid urbanization development.
I'd love to learn a bit more hands-on about my truck; I've always been leery of doing it myself, as I tend to make it 10x harder than it needs to be. I'll keep the idea in mind, you never know
I looked at Consumer Reports - and if the Bridgestone got high ratings at the .com, it must be because they got a high profit on them - Bridgestone got lower than middle of the pack ratings at Consumer Reports - #13 out of 26 - and that is from an objective source.
Plus, Firestone/Bridgestone are the ones that three times now have made tires that KILL people.
I looked at Consumer Reports - and if the Bridgestone got high ratings at the .com, it must be because they got a high profit on them - Bridgestone got lower than middle of the pack ratings at Consumer Reports - #13 out of 26 - and that is from an objective source.
Plus, Firestone/Bridgestone are the ones that three times now have made tires that KILL people.
Be careful with "ratings"
I'd be careful assuming Consumer Reports is a totally objective source. I know that's what they say about themselves, but best case they are still people and we all have some bias that can influence even the most objective conditions. For example, if the tires from one manufacturer are newer, even by months, they have an advantage. Race car drivers know this and the ones with the best connections get the newest tires - Mario Andretti had something along these lines in his contract with Goodyear.
I'd rather base a comparison on experience, mine or someone's I trust.
__________________
Life is too short to take it too seriously
99.5 Black SE Limited (newer bodystyle) w/ 100k miles. One-owner and maintained really well. The seats were even covered the entire tire so they look new. The people were very nice as well. I got it very cheap, as they had a buyer backout and are just looking to move it. They said if they didn't sell it at the price I bought for they would've given it to their son for college.
So, now that I have it, I know it needs new tires. Going to get a set of Bridgestone Alenzas or Yokohama Geolanders. Not sure yet, both very highly rated on Tirerack.
I'm not sure if the timing belt has been done or not, anyone know what that'll run me on one of these? I'm assuming it's like any car that it needs to be done in the 80-100k range? Brakes still bite pretty good and there's no pulsating.
Any other reliability mods I should look into doing? I was thinking flushing the tranny fluid and putting some synthetic ATF. Also just changing all fluids. Not sure if the shocks need replacing or not, but that's another thing to consider. Also looking to get a remote start. I believe Autozone sells/installs them pretty cheap?
Was thinking of buying a warranty for it. Anyone know of a good one?
I've yet to dash through the snow with them (can't wait), but in rain and mud I'm very satisfied with my Yokohama Geolander A/T+II. They make a little noise on dry pavement, particularly going in to turns with some Gs, but not much - roll the windows up and you can't hear them. The 31x10.5R15 cost me less than $90 per tire. They have gone up a little since, but still under $100.
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Life is too short to take it too seriously
I don't know what I was thinking. I Alreadt had the parts, that was all labor.
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