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1998 Ford F-250 Light Duty

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 F-250 Light Duty.

The 1998 Ford F-250 Light Duty is a work-oriented truck whose mechanical baseline is defined by an engine requiring 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil for proper maintenance. However, its operational history reveals a complicated ownership experience, highlighted by 58 documented owner complaints that predominantly focus on suspension issues. With a substantial nine recalls attached to this specific model year, it stands as a cautionary point in the F-250's reliability timeline, meaning researchers must weigh these systemic flaws heavily when evaluating the truck's overall viability.

Model year199919981997

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 UNDER 8500 LBS · 540 - UNDER 8500 LBS 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 UNDER 8500 LBS · 540 - UNDER 8500 LBS CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT245-75R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length232.7 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height71.7 in
Wheelbase152 in
Curb weight5289 lb
Track (front / rear)65.7 / 63.4 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent road tests for the F-250 Light Duty 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
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6-9 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
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 15-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17-20 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)73.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket157.0-212-0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle73.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket73.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
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
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number59 UNDER 8500 LBS
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 - UNDER 8500 LBS cca
Optional BCI Group Number65 - OVER 8500 LBS.
Optional BCI Cranking Performance750 - OVER 8500 LBS. cca

Service checks

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 Pressure20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 21-26 ft-lbs
OtherHeavy Duty / Light Duty
Torque to Knuckle136 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0024 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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
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

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) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Transfer Case Shift Linkage (lubricate)
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-250 Light Duty top in one area — the suspension, 9 of 58 reports (16%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 9 recall campaigns target the suspension, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 2 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the suspension 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.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
213
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
58
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 58 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
Structure7
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Tires4
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Fuel System, Other2
Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V385000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:MountingReported 29/07/2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003… Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION…

06V286000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 01/08/2006

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 213 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB1600732016-04-21Fuel System, GasolineSafety recall 11S21 - Fuel tank strap fracture - requests for recall service action
16-00732016-04-21Fuel System, GasolineFor 1997-2003 F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997-1999 F-250 Light Duty, or 2002-2003…
TSB-14-01642014-09-09EquipmentFORD/LINCOLN: SAFETY RECALL REGARDING HIGH CORROSION AREAS FOR OPERATING, FOR AN EXTENDED…
TSB-14-01472014-08-11Fuel System, GasolineFORD/LINCOLN: SAFETY RECALL ISSUED DUE TO ONE OR BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURING DUE TO…
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…

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

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific F-250 Light Duty. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

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 qt

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-250 Light Duty take?

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

Does the 1998 F-250 Light Duty have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.