Improvements in reliability/durability since 2001?
 

Thinking about upgrading the stuck soon, my 2001 just turned 130,000. Obvious downsides to the 2001 were the timing chain rattle, small front breaks, and front suspension joints.

Since not a ton has changed since the model year I own, I'm mainly just looking at mileage instead of model year. I'm open to auto or standard transmission, however I need (or just want) the 4.0 and 4x4.

Has the clutch problem (slave cylinders going bad, if I recall correctly) been solved? If so, what year? How about the timing chain and front suspension?

Any other mechanical improvements of note I should be looking for?

well the timing chain problem was supposedly fixed in 03...the rattle is hit and miss to begin with

Don´t know if this is the same in US models, mine is the Latin America Version, but since 2008 the rear shock absorbers was moved from inside of the frame to the outside, just like the current F-150. This really improves stability.

Maybe you should to take a look on that for your new ride.

Nope we didnt get that. Maybe on the 2010s with disc brakes.

Thanks for the help. Anyone want to comment on manual transmissions?

other than the slave theyre pretty solid

I don't know if they did anything to fix the slave cylinder, but I can tell you that in my '04 it is still inside of the bell housing. I changed out my clutch at 100,000 miles and the original slave cylinder was still doing its job.