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1999 Ford F-250 Light Duty

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 F-250 Light Duty.

The 1999 Ford F-250 Light Duty required 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil for routine service, establishing its specific maintenance parameters. Accumulating 594 owner complaints—with tires standing out as the primary grievance—alongside 19 recalls, this model year represents a significant concentration of documented issues in the lineage, signaling to researchers that sample units likely carry extensive repair histories and campaign work.

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 torque150-165 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 65 - OVER 8500 LBS · 650 - OVER 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 65 - OVER 8500 LBS · 650 - OVER 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 length220.9 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height72 in
Wheelbase139 in
Curb weight4334 lb

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.

6.0–10.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.96 sec — 2003 F-150 Harley-Davidson SuperCrew (5.4 ft. Bed)
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
2000F-150 XLT SuperCab (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.90 sec16.70 sec260 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

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 · 75W-90 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150-165 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9. 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 · 75W-90 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity6.9 Pints Rear Ford Axles
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 Bolts212 DI Diesel ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55-64 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54-64 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts89 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15-22 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 Nuts150-165 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)775 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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Standard BCI Group Number65 - OVER 8500 LBS
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - OVER 8500 LBS cca
Optional BCI Group Number65
Optional BCI Cranking Performance750 cca
Standard BCI Group Number59 - UNDER 8500 LBS.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 - UNDER 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
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket42 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle166 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket42 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle166 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle150 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket42 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle166 ft-lbs

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
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
152-53 ft. lbs., Step 2: 8052–53 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
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
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep First Sequence

165 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
285 ft. lbs.; Second Sequence85 ft. lbs
3105 ft. lbs.105 ft. lbs
4105
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
176 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9676 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; spark plugs every 100,000 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.

Every 5,000 miAir Filter Restriction Gauge (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miDriveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)

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 1999 Ford F-250 Light Duty lead in one area — the tires, 106 of 594 reports (18%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 19 recall campaigns target the tires, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 55 of the reports describe a crash and 13 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.

19
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
246
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
594
Owner complaints
55 involved a crash · 13 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 594 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Tires106
Service Brakes, Hydraulic78
Engine & Engine Cooling50
Power Train43
Steering39
Air Bags32
Vehicle Speed Control26
Fuel System, Gasoline22

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 19 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 246 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 65 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 1999 F-250 Light Duty take?

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

Does the 1999 F-250 Light Duty have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 19 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.