Looking for most longevity/reliability f150 build?

[roadPilot]

Point taken on the latter, but will all respect how exactly does one go about acquiring an oil sample that pays someone else to do the actual oil change?

Also curious, since you are able to decipher the analysis, how does it compare to the OLM in our trucks? Is there a large discrepancy in your experience?

You don't sample what's in there and leave it in until the results come back. You take a sample when draining (mid stream) when you do your first (next) oil change and send it in.

Rinse and repeat with each oil change, as things can change as your engine wears. You don't necessarily have to sample EVERY oil change, but missing one could mean missing signs of something going arwy in your engine that could lead to expensive repairs.

The reports will tell you what they are finding in the oil (e.g., fuel, different metals, etc.) and suggestion for future oil change intervals. Places that do the analysis will send you free collection kits. I've always used Blackstone Labs but there are others.

OLM doesn't analyze anything. It's just a time and mileage counter.

For the record: While oil analyses will help you determine the best drain interval for your specific vehicles, driving conditions, and driving style to get the most out of your oil, the primary purpose of the analyses is to identify problems in the engine BEFORE they happen and (hopefully) avoid major repair bills. It's not just about getting an extra 1,000 miles between oil changes.

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[Gros Ventre]

I have installed a bypass filter. In its input line I have a valve and can take samples without draining the oil at an oil change.

 

[dbtgt]

I have installed a bypass filter. In its input line I have a valve and can take samples without draining the oil at an oil change.

I use the plastic tube down the dipstick that Blackstone supplies. Very easy to get a sample with no mess.

 

[Gros Ventre]

I use the plastic tube down the dipstick that Blackstone supplies. Very easy to get a sample with no mess.

Yep, that'll work with a vacuum pump. I've thought of that but couldn't get an arrangement that wouldn't contaminate the sample from other stuff I use it for. But that would work just fine.

 

[dbtgt]

Yep, that'll work with a vacuum pump. I've thought of that but couldn't get an arrangement that wouldn't contaminate the sample from other stuff I use it for. But that would work just fine.

Their vacuum pump uses the sample container as a collection vessel - it screws on tho the sample bottle - so no contamination and virtually no mess.

 

[Natetroknot]

You don't sample what's in there and leave it in until the results come back. You take a sample when draining (mid stream) when you do your first (next) oil change and send it in.

Rinse and repeat with each oil change, as things can change as your engine wears. You don't necessarily have to sample EVERY oil change, but missing one could mean missing signs of something going arwy in your engine that could lead to expensive repairs.

The reports will tell you what they are finding in the oil (e.g., fuel, different metals, etc.) and suggestion for future oil change intervals. Places that do the analysis will send you free collection kits. I've always used Blackstone Labs but there are others.

OLM doesn't analyze anything. It's just a time and mileage counter.

For the record: While oil analyses will help you determine the best drain interval for your specific vehicles, driving conditions, and driving style to get the most out of your oil, the primary purpose of the analyses is to identify problems in the engine BEFORE they happen and (hopefully) avoid major repair bills. It's not just about getting an extra 1,000 miles between oil changes.

Appreciate the clarification!

 

[Gros Ventre]

Their vacuum pump uses the sample container as a collection vessel - it screws on tho the sample bottle - so no contamination and virtually no mess.

Great!

 

[runner61627]

Watching

 

[Larrymoe]

If I owned a semi with 10 gallons of oil in the motor & a $45 filter I could justify spending $35 for an analysis to let me know it’s ready for a drain or not, but at the price point for an oil change on our trucks I just don’t get it guys.

I paid Blackstone once in my life for an analysis and if it wasn’t for the summary paragraph they wrote it may has well been in Latin, it maka no sense to this dumb farm kid lol

Agreed. I mean, with allowing my dealer to keep a sticker on my back window, my oil changes are $25 up to 5qts and then about $12 more for the extra 2.75qts.

For $37ish, it's monetarily stupid for met to pay anything to get an oil analysis.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Appreciate the clarification!

Note: To only sample when you change oil just records history. I believe it is useful to sample at some interval whether you change oil or not. The goal being to let the sample results drive when you change oil. I've mentioned above that I've seen that Boron and Total Base Number seem to deplete on the PB engine by about 12k to 14k. Thus I sample at 5k & 10k and plan a change within two months of the second sample.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Agreed. I mean, with allowing my dealer to keep a sticker on my back window, my oil changes are $25 up to 5qts and then about $12 more for the extra 2.75qts.

For $37ish, it's monetarily stupid for met to pay anything to get an oil analysis.

Whether its monetarily stupid is in the eye of the beholder... To do sampling at a regular interval and use the results to drive oil changes is solid engineering.

 

[Larrymoe]

Hey all!

Appreciate your time! Please excuse me if this has been overly-discussed! Assuming oil changes are done every 5k miles and the manufacturer maintenance schedule is adhered to - what kind of F150 build combination should have the most longevity/reliability? I want this truck for 20-25 years/ 200,000+ miles with the least instances of severe issues.
Engine (spoke to a few mechanics- all say stay away from turbos but that doesn’t seem to be the consensus anymore online)? suspension? Does gear ratio matter for this? Any effect of trim level?
Thank you!

Personally, I went with the RCSB XL with the 5.0. I've always thought the more stuff you pile on a truck, the more stuff there is to go wrong. The XL trim still has too much for my tastes, but in this day and age, it's the least amount of add on you can get.

I, personally think that combo- XL with the 5.0, is probably the most likely to still be kicking 20 years for now.

I occasionally look for 92 F150s because that was my favorite vehicle I've ever owned and you see a ton of the 300 XLs still kicking and less and less as the trim levels go up.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I spent nearly 20 years turning wrenches. The only engines we ever used to see that smoked, or with sludge build up were the ones who didn't change their oil every 3-5K miles. Even when synthetic hit the market the issues persisted for those who didn't regularly change it. For those who did change it regularly, rarely did those engines use much oil. Sure having to add a 1/2 a quart every 5K miles was not unusual and tearing them down resulted in minimal wear for an engine with 150-200K miles on them.

My father used to own a hotshot delivery business and he'd put 1K miles on his truck in a week at times. He would change his oil religiously at 5K miles. He'd regularly put 3-400K miles before having any issues with his engines. His 1990 Chevy 1/2 ton for example 375K miles on it, three transmissions later he decides to put a new engine in it. So we tore the old one down just to see how it looked. Sure there was definitely signs of wear but they were minimal at best. The cam and crank shafts were still well within spec and could use standard bearings if we wanted to rebuild it. To our surprise the cylinders still had cross hatch honing marks on them after all the countless hours of runtime that engine saw.

Now they want us to change it every 10-15K miles and these engines use more oil now then ever. Having to add 1-2 qts every 5K miles. Opening up many of these modern engines and they are loaded with sludge and show excessive wear.

Changing the oil at 5K miles is inexpensive way to ensure your engine always has proper lubrication when compared to the myriad of potential issues you can have by stretching it to 10-15K miles.

 

[Larrymoe]

Whether its monetarily stupid is in the eye of the beholder... To do sampling at a regular interval and use the results to drive oil changes is solid engineering.

If I'm changing it every 5k, what is the point?

At the price I can get the change, so what if it's still "good"?

 

[Natetroknot]

Whether its monetarily stupid is in the eye of the beholder... To do sampling at a regular interval and use the results to drive oil changes is solid engineering.

This is all in the eye of the beholder, and I definitely didn't want to create a pissing contest; I can't speak for anyone else but I'm not trying to say anybody here is wrong. I know there is no engineering behind never analyzing an oil sample and changing it accordingly - but I guess I'm in the camp that is indifferent to that and will get the same or better results not worrying about it and changing it at least every 5k with a quality product and filter.

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