Overview & Reviews

The 1998 F-150 gets a 50th Anniversary decal affixed to the lower left corner of the windshield. Other changes include making the locking tailgate standard on XLT and Lariat trims, optional on XL and Standard models. Foglights become optional this year on all four-wheel-drive models except for the Lariat, which gets them standard. An STX package featuring 17-inch tires, aluminum wheels and color-keyed grille debuts as an option for the XLT 2WD. The Lariat receives a color-keyed steering column, leather-wrapped steering wheel and outside power signal mirrors. Silver Metallic paint replaces Silver Frost paint, and Light Denim Blue replaces Portofino Blue.

• Best-in-class interior styling, powerful engine choices, and great on-road handling make this one of our favorite full-size trucks. Does pretty well off-road, too.

• Exterior styling has too many swoops and dips for our liking. Hard-to-see fenders make parking this thing a chore.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 81.00

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  It just works - 1998 Ford F-150
  By BK - September 16 - 3:01 pm

  Got an XLT 4.6 rear wheel drive with the 3 doors as a hand me down from my dad and it has been good. I have had it for the last 15000 miles and it sits at 168000 on the odometer now. Works great for on road use, hauling stuff in the bed, and reliability. A testament to the quality of the drive train happened several months ago when merging onto the interstate and the accelerator stuck. I wasnt sure what was happening at the time but I flicked the gas pedal and it didnt help so I went to pop it into neutral going 80 and went to far and put it in reverse and locked the tires up for a second before putting it back in drive and turning off the engine and coasted to the shoulder. Turns out the floor mat, which has since been removed, stuck the gas pedal down and I should have messed with the pedal more before trying to put it in neutral. After getting my blood pressure to go down I started it up fearing it was done for, no problems at all! Made sure the tranny wasnt leaking for the next couple days and was surprised how well it held up for the abuse that surely put on it. This old truck is rusty, has a decent ding on the outside of the bed, and overall looks rough but it is a champ in terms of reliability. Recently it has had new rotors in the front from brake pads failing to give a screech indicating they needed replacing and has had a heater core replaced but the core components have been awesome for both of us. I am in the market for a new truck with 4x4 and a locking rear dif since I was stuck on the hill where I parked it overnight after a snow storm since the rear dif puts power to the wheel with less traction, but it has still made a true Ford believer out of me. You can bet my next truck will be an F150, dad got a used 2012 F150 after he handed this one down to me and it has been great for him too. Something is to be said about having a vehicle that can be depended on.

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  Our F-150 - 1998 Ford F-150
  By tybri93 - July 27 - 2:22 pm

  This is truly one of the most reliable vehicles we have ever had in our drive way. Currently (2013) our truck has had nothing go wrong with it that was not related to poor ownership. First problem Fuel pump went, maitnence item that should have been replaced. As well as a belt that was not changed when it was suppose to and snapped on the road. Other than that, nothing! We bought the thing with 140,000 on it, now it has 200,000 and still runs strong, and starts everyday. We do not hesitate to take it on long trips (500 miles +++) and neither should you. The 4.6 is working harder then it use to, but thats just due to its age. Nothing a tune up wouldnt fix. No intention of getting rid of it

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  98 F150 XL 4.2 (late motor) 5 speed manual - 1998 Ford F-150
  By raw32 - January 10 - 7:51 am

  Excellent pickup. I have had this truck for the last 100,000 miles and my father had it for the first 80,000. The truck is a bit high speeded, so for slow going I use low range. Its light weight and 4 wheel drive works very well. Other than normal maintenance, I have replaced the AC compressor and that’s about it. I plan to keep this truck for a long time so one thing I do every 5th year or so is have all of the fluids drained and replaced. This includes front end and rear end.

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 1998 Ford F-150
  By EileenJG - May 9 - 3:19 am

  Love this truck. Ive got 156,000 miles on it now and intend to keep it for a long, long while. Pulls my 17 travel trailer with ease. Repairs have been just the usual maintenance. When I buy again, itll be another F150.

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  Runs like the Energizer Bunny - 1998 Ford F-150
  By kwhite917 - August 21 - 10:14 am

  My 1998 F-150 4.6 XLT 3-door shortbed keeps going and going and going. I have over 200K miles on it and Im sure it will keep going another 100K miles before I may need to have something done. My 17 year old daughter is driving it to and from school and she loves "her" truck. She said all the boys are jealous of her because they think "her" truck is so good looking. I was run off the road in Houston in 2005 and hit a barrier on the left front fender. When the insurance appraiser was writing up the repair order he listed it as 2003 model. When I corrected him he was dumbfounded. He said he had never seen a vehicle of that age and mileage that was so pristine. It gave me warm fuzzies inside.

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  never lets me down - 1998 Ford F-150
  By Eric - July 1 - 12:38 pm

  I have used my truck for daily drive of 50+ miles for 5 years, plus hauling mulch, wood, moving- whatever I need it makes it happen. I have 2wd and living in VA I have never even needed 4wd in the snow. I am not good to vehicles and have only had to replace normal wear and tear. Some of the bottom of the doors has been starting to rust, but I just put on more rustoleum and keep going. About 2 years in I added a KN cold air intake and a flowmaster duel exhaust and this gives me about 3/4 extra MPG and sounds AWESOME! Overall it is one of those vehicles that you never have a doubt if she will start up- I would never part with my truck until she decides to go.

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  Reliability 100% - 1998 Ford F-150
  By Zowy - May 27 - 12:08 am

  Its all about reliability. Powerful at low speed. So much torque. Awesome 4x4. Large cargo area. Not so much repair cost. Very easy to find out used parts. VERY Reliable. This is my second F150. For sure will have it for many years.

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  1998 Best by Far for Ford - 1998 Ford F-150
  By Ford Man - March 13 - 7:58 pm

  I have a 1998 Ford F-150 4.6L 2wd. This truck has been through thick and thin as a farm truck. I have pulled my round bailer with ease. I still have the truck and plan on giving it to my son soon. This truck still has some get up and go and can still jump when you press the pedal to the floor. I think I forgot to mention that it has 375,419 miles on it. I havent had to swap or do anything at all to the engine or the transmission, and it doesnt look like I will have to anytime soon either. I have had Chevys but they do not have near as much as my Ford right now. I will tell you right now that 1998 must have been a good year for Ford. The only thing I have had to change is the oil, & tires.

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  280k miles! - 1998 Ford F-150
  By llamar - November 14 - 9:59 pm

  I bought this truck from the orginal owner about 6 months ago. I wasnt so sure because of the miles but has no problems. I have put around 10k miles and no problems! Original owner says has never even had the alternator replaced! Has had new ball joints but only because of the miles. It now has 280k+ Great mpg for truck at 20mpg and still driving. I trust it to go anywhere! I used to be die hard Chevy. Now I am looking to buy a Ford Expedition, maybe it will be as trustworthy

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  4.2L and still going - 1998 Ford F-150
  By RC - October 28 - 12:05 pm

  I found this truck used last year and my wife just about killed me when I brought it home. Currently I have 272,000 plus miles on the original engine and transmission. Ive pulled up to 25ft campers and up to 32ft boats with this truck. Ive filled the bed with wood and it just keeps going. The body is excellent even after being backed into by an Envoy. The dent just popped out. Ive replaced the tailgate handle, steering gear, and transmission oil cooler lines(all over 250K). I cant say enough about this truck. At 272k it still runs, drives, and shifts great and is still a good looking truck. Ford will be my next truck as well.