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150 platform

1998 Ford F

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 F.

The 1998 Ford F is built on the 150 platform and calls for 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil. Reliability data show a total of 19 owner complaints, with tires being the top complaint area, and zero recalls for the model year. Placed in the model’s reliability timeline, this low complaint count and absence of recalls position the 1998 F as one of the more dependable years, albeit with tire‑related concerns noted.

Model year2025202420231998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-70R16SLOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length220.9 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height72 in
Wheelbase139 in
Curb weight4050 lb

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the F of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.7–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.70 sec — 1998 F-150 XLT SuperCab
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998F-150 XLT SuperCab 5.4L V88.70 sec16.70 sec235 hpRWD
1998F-150 XLT SuperCab 5.4L V89.40 sec17.20 sec235 hp4x4
1997F-150 Lariat SuperCab 5.4L V88.30 sec16.40 sec235 hpRWD
1997F-150 XLT Regular Cab 4.6L V88.80 sec16.60 sec220 hpRWD
1997F-150 Lariat Flareside Regular Cab 4.6L V88.90 sec16.70 sec220 hpRWD
1997F-150 Styleside Regular Cab 4.2L V69.30 sec17.20 sec202 hpRWD
1997F-150 XLT SuperCab 4.6L V89.90 sec17.70 sec220 hpRWD
1997F-150 XLT SuperCab 4.6L V810.40 sec17.90 sec220 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints Rear, 8.8 and 9.7
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6-9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts118 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54-64 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55-64 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54-64 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts14-16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket157.0-212-0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)25 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)825 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)25 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.06 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type68
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65 - CANADA OR OPTIONAL

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-45
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-45
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)80-120 CNG
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure40-125 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2500 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle22-27 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle22-27 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Runout Limit0.0052 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.02 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.02 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.963 in
Rotor Finish0-65 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
129 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9029 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: 12033 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: 12033 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9018 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., Step 2: loosen one turn, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9066 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1all bolts15 ft. lbs
2all bolts30 ft. lbs
3all bolts37 ft. lbs
1loosen 2-3 turn
2if long bolt33 ft. lbs
3180 degrees; Proceed to next bolt in sequence180 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., step 2: 6-84 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 115-12537 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate)
Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate)
Every 12,000 miBattery (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1998 Ford F dominate in one area — the tires, 9 of 19 reports (47%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the tires pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
14
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
19
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 19 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Tires9
Steering3
Power Train2
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Visibility1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Other1
Exterior Lighting1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 14 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
072122007-10-01Engine And Engine CoolingSOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG…
042662005-01-01Power TrainA DRIVELINE CLUNK OR BUMP WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. *TT
031812003-09-15Electrical SystemREMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT
166972003-03-01Engine And Engine CoolingEXHAUST AIR RUSH NOISE AND LOWER POWER. *TT *JB
158712002-05-01EquipmentSOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT INTERFERENCE AND / OR STATIC IN THE LAND-MOBILE RADIO. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 59 batteryVehicles taking 6.0 qt150-platform vehicles

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 F take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 F have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.