One problem related to noises during shifting has been reported for the 1997 Ford F-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Steady tapping noise in 5th gear, when accelerator pressed (no variation with speed increase). Worse in cool weather. Moving the 4wheel drive shifter side to side modulates noise. Has gotten coarser and louder, and spread to 3rd and 4th gears over the course of last 14k miles. Academy Ford led me to believe a fix was in progress during repeated service visits since oct 99, but admitted Dec 2000 that Ford did not want to invest resources in pursuing investigation of the problem or its cause since not too many people drive 5speeds and have reported same. Stick shift also seems mushy at times and don't know if this is related.