2009 vs 2000

[rrowe3zc6hp]

I am about to buy a truck to keep the miles off of my f150. I have narrowed it down to 2 trucks in my area. One is a 2000 4.0 v6 4wd extended cab with 140000 miles it has a lift and looks very clean. The other is a 2009 4cyl with 200000 on it. Very clean truck with some recent repairs. I’m looking for the most dependable of the 2. Both have advantages that will be nice but I am simply looking for which one you guys think will be the one that tears up the least considering I do my part. Thanks in advance

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Which 4.0 is in the 2000? Ohv or sohc?

 

[rrowe3zc6hp]

Ohv

 

[sgtsandman]

Agreed which 4.0? Also, what is your intended purpose? Daily driver and want to save on gas or do you want something you can take on trails to get to the game lands and camp?

 

[rrowe3zc6hp]

Ohv. Either will serve me just fine as far as purpose. Just wondering which one has the least issues as far as the stuff that will nickel and dime you

 

[Saddle Tramp]

If you're driving to Macon or Warner Robins a lot, go with the 4.0 but if you are just going to stick around town, get the 4 banger.

 

[rrowe3zc6hp]

Just curious why you chose that? I would’ve thought the 4cyl being better on gas would be better for 50 miles one way trips and the 4.0 better around town not going far. Not doubting you just curious why you made that pick

 

[Saddle Tramp]

No worries

Keeping up with traffic, passing, and merging on the freeways.

Not that big a deal on city streets with lower speed limits.

 

[rrowe3zc6hp]

Sounds good thanks

 

[trailmeisterjoe]

I would think that the 4wd one would be overkill and hardly ever needed for snow in your area for "commuting". Also, the 4wd has more that can go wrong with it ( in general) being more complicated/involved drive train wise.
Joe

 

[trailmeisterjoe]

The 4 banger in my old '97 had NO issues "keeping up" with traffic and merging on freeways .

Joe

 

[Dirtman]

The 09 4 cylinder is a completely different engine than the pre 2001 4 cylinders. Quite a substantial power increase. You won't feel under powered with either truck and both engines are rock solid reliable. If you're never gonna use the 4x4 or tow I'd definitely go with the 2009. Mine gets 25+mpg on the highway so its an excellent commuter truck and is no slouch for power. When you consider the extra weight of the 4x4 both trucks are probably comparable in power/speed but the 4 cylinder will always win in MPGs.

The 4.0 is an old school simple pushrod engine. Very reliable and simple to work on.
The 2.3 is much more sophisticated and less easy to work on but proven extremely reliable (its the same engine in the new 2019/2020 rangers without the turbocharger).

I've never owned a 4.0 ohv truck but have worked on them and think they are good motors. I own a 2.3 so 3 things I know first hand to watch out for...

#1 the PCV valve needs to be changed fairly often (ford says every 12,000 miles) and it is a major pain in the butt to replace until you get good at it. You need to remove the wheel and inner fender and then it's still quite a feat of stretching and squeezing.

#2 there is a coolant hose on the back of the engine, its not common for that hose to fail BUT if it does, you need to remove the transmission to replace it. I always keep dye in my coolant to check for leaks back there.

#3 it runs on the verge of a high compression engine so it uses a knock sensor to tame it under heavy load. If you ever haul anything or drive through big hill country you'll notice a power loss unless you run higher octane gas.

 

[rrowe3zc6hp]

I went and drove the 4.0 and this truck was not well maintained or taken care of at all. Didn’t even hardly recognize it from the pictures. It had 137k on it and it was in worse shape than my 98 ranger with 314k

 

[sgtsandman]

Well, that answers that...

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Well, that answers that...

Yep.
Forget that one.