1998 Ford F47 problems
The first generation of the Ford F-Series (also known as the Ford Bonus-Built trucks) is a series of trucks that was produced by Ford Motor Company from the 1948 to the 1952 model years. The introduction of the F-Series marked the divergence of Ford car and truck design, developing a chassis intended specifically for truck use. Alongside pickup trucks, the model line included also panel vans, bare and cowled chassis, and marked the entry of Ford into the medium and heavy-duty truck segment.
From 1947 to 1952, Ford assembled F-Series trucks at sixteen different facilities across North America. In Canada, the model line was also marketed through Lincoln-Mercury as the Mercury M-Series to expand dealership coverage in rural areas. This generation of F-Series pickup trucks is the sole generation to entirely Flathead engines (inline-6 and V8s).
Development & Design
After World War II, Ford's war-time effort toward producing B-24 bombers, jeeps, tank engines, and other military hardware ended. When civilian passenger cars and trucks were put back into production, Ford produced the same truck and car design since 1941. After the 1947 model year was introduced, a completely new design was planned, which could appeal to various applications, extending further than just having a single purpose.
The development objective included making the driving easier, with comfortable and roomier cab, and a great customer appreciation. When introduced, Ford's new truck would be the only truck featuring an all-new post-war design. GM's Advance Design trucks featured an all-new body, but was based on a pre-war A platform which were at the time shared with other GM passenger cars. Dodge's B series, although fully redesigned, retained an outdated semicircular rear wheel well design. Ford departed from sharing a common platform with its passenger lineup and developed a purpose-built truck frame specifically for the F-Series. The new frame included a third cross-member which enabled extra strength enough to be shared with its medium-duty lineup. Also, Ford was the only company to offer V8 engines for both pickup trucks and medium-duty trucks until 1954. To better absorb rough uneven roads, and to reduce maintenance costs, Ford was also the first to introduce telescopic double-acting shock absorbers to the pickup truck market in place of the lever shocks and were advertised as the "Aircraft Type Shocks."
Ford additionally invested $1 million into research and tooling for the new cab, dubbed as the "Million-Dollar Cab." Compared to the previous model of Ford trucks, the new cab was seven inches wider and provided extra headroom. It also included wider doors that were moved three inches forward and extending beneath the cab's floor for better accessibility and interior protection from dust, moisture, and drafts. A new flat one-piece windshield was two inches higher than the previous generation, combined with the larger rear window offering a better all-around visibility. The new cab also featured increased foot room, and bench seats with adjustable fore, aft, and rake. To improve comfort, the cab was isolated from the frame using bushings at the front and lever-action torsion links in the rear in order to insulate vibration and noise. Additionally, Ford added more cushioning to the bench seat, which were wrapped with springs for improved comfort. The front fenders were also wider and taller and featured a single-piece-like, wrap-around design that included integrated headlamps. The five-bar horizontal grille had integrated turn signal lights into the top grille bar. Rear fenders no longer had the teardrop shape; instead, they had more rounded and continuous side body lines. Two openings were added over bold FORD lettering at the nose, with the left opening also acting as a hood release handle.
The three-way ventilation system consisted of two vent windows (driver- and passenger-side doors) and an additional vent located at the cowl. Steering effort was reduced with an increased steering ratio. A new channeled steel front bumper was attached directly to the extended frame rails, which provided increased rigidity and a smoother ride.
The new trucks were introduced in late 1947 (going on sale January 16, 1948). Standard features included ashtray, glove box, and driver-side sun visor which was unusual on trucks at the time. Options included the "See-Clear" windshield washer (operated by foot plunger), passenger-side windshield wiper and sun visor, and passenger-side taillight. The F-1 truck was also available with additional stainless steel trim and two horns as an option. All F-Series were available with optional "Marmon-Herrington All Wheel Drive" until 1959.
The design of the F-Series truck changed tremendously from 1950 to 1954. From 1948 to 1950, the grille was a series of horizontal bars and the headlights were set into the fenders. For 1951 and 1952, the headlights were connected by a wide aerodynamic cross piece with three similarly aerodynamic supports. The rear window was wider in these later trucks and the dashboard was redesigned. This new cab was called the "Five-Star Cab."
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Common 1998 Ford F47 problems
The 1998 Ford F-250 has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned issues:
- Rough Shifts: Transmission problems are not uncommon in Ford trucks. Oftentimes, the issue presents subtly with rough shifts between gears. You might notice a jolt, delayed acceleration, or even slipping when that happens. The first thing to check is your transmission fluid level and condition. Low or dirty fluid in the gearbox can make your truck shift hard before causing irreversible damage to the internal parts. Additional causes of a hard shifting transmission include vacuum issues, faulty sensors, or bad solenoids.
- Electrical Gremlins: Despite their excellent build quality, Ford trucks aren't immune to electrical gremlins. In fact, as these trucks get more technologically advanced, the risk of electrical issues increases considerably. The issues can range from engine start-up failures to your windshield wipers and other accessories not working. No matter what's going on, vehicle diagnostics are the way to go. Your mechanic will chase the gremlins using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to find the cause and recommend the proper repairs.
- Death Wobble: The Ford death wobble is largely a Super-Duty problem, but it can actually occur in any vehicle. Most often than not, the problem links back to ball joints, control arms, and other suspension parts that have worn out prematurely. Regular inspections can help you avoid that frightening scenario and keep your vehicle smoothly moving across the roadway mile after mile.
- Exhaust Manifold Problems: The exhaust manifold is a common problem area in the 1998 Ford F-250. The studs breaking on the exhaust manifold, or maybe a cracked manifold usually due to the studs breaking off, are common issues. This is typically a problem on the passenger side.
- Heater Core Problems: Heater core problems are common on all vehicles eventually. However, in the 1998 Ford F-250, it has been reported that both the heater core and the AC evaporator may need to be replaced, which is unusual.
- Transfer Case Problems: The transfer case in the 1998 Ford F-250 has been reported to go bad, which could indicate previous rough usage or lack of maintenance. The cause of the failure in the transfer case would determine the extent of the repair needed.
- Rear Axle Seals: Rear axle seals can go out due to the axle losing its hardness where the bearings ride. This would require replacing the axles and possibly rebuilding the entire axle.
These are some of the most common problems reported by owners of the 1998 Ford F-250. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent some of these issues, but it's essential to be aware of these potential problems when owning this vehicle.
1998 Ford F47 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford F47 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Tires problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1998 Ford F47 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1998 Ford F47 complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1998 Ford F47.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-01
- VIN: 1FDXE40S4WH
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: ALL SIX ORIGINAL TIRES DEVELOPED A LUMP IN THEM AT WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE POINT THAT THE BELTS WERE JOINED. IF I HAD NOT DISCOVERED THIS ANY ONE OF THEM COULD HAVE BLOWN OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALL SIX WERE REPLACED AND ONE OF THESE HAS ALREADY DEVELOPED THIS LUMP. I HAVE ALSO SEEN OTHER MOTORHOMES WITH THESE TIRES BLOW OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE IS IN MY OPINION A PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES ALSO. (TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT22575R16 )
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-01
- VIN: 1FDXE40S4WH
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: ALL SIX ORIGINAL TIRES DEVELOPED A LUMP IN THEM AT WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE POINT THAT THE BELTS WERE JOINED. IF I HAD NOT DISCOVERED THIS ANY ONE OF THEM COULD HAVE BLOWN OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALL SIX WERE REPLACED AND ONE OF THESE HAS ALREADY DEVELOPED THIS LUMP. I HAVE ALSO SEEN OTHER MOTORHOMES WITH THESE TIRES BLOW OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE IS IN MY OPINION A PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES ALSO.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT22575R16 )
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1998 Ford F47 problems:
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