I can't believe I bought a FORD! (F-150) w/ pics!

[dishdude]

So I have never been a huge Ford fan, and never really didn't like them but I really never saw myself owning one as I am more of a GM guy. Anyway, I get this 2005 F-150 sent to my company from another branch. It was to be used as a work vehicle, but it was way too nice (it was formerly a project manager's truck so the interior and body were spotless) and it really wouldn't work for what we needed it for, so I car-napped it and started driving it. I loved how it drove, and found out that I was getting 20MPG in mixed driving! I checked the history, it has had no repairs, pretty decent maintenance record with mostly 5k OCIs (I think 1 oil change was missed so there was a 10k OCI) So I shoot an email off asking about a price to purchase it and I am told $8k so it was a no brainer.

Def will do a Motorcraft filter and either PYB or MC 5w-20.

Truck has 70k on it, coolant was done at 60k (Jiffy Lube, hope it's the right stuff) Transmission fluid was also changed at 60k (Ford dealer) so the only thing left that I can think to do are the plugs. This is the 4.6L and from what I understand this isn't the engine that blows plugs. I checked with the local dealer and was quoted $379 to replace the plugs and the little boots that go between the plugs and coils.

Can anyone with experience on these trucks shed some light on the plugs? Are they straight forward or should I just let the dealer take care of it? Any other problem areas or anything I should look for?

 

[daves87rs]

Good looking truck!

 

[finalyzd]

379?? Wow my shop charges 189.95 additional if it take platinum plugs or iridium which isn't too much. If your not comfortable doing it yourself(its not too bad of a job). Find a good respectable independent shop to do the job

Beautiful truck too. Nice color

 

[Colt45ws]

Its pretty straight forward to change the plugs. It looks like the fuel rail is blocking the coils, but it really isnt because the boots allow it to bend and come out. Even though its not the 5.4 I would still wait until its cold to change them.
Nice truck!

 

[40Deluxe]

Plugs should be good to 100k,hire the plugs done when it needs it they can cause grief if done by someone inexperienced,my son is ford tech and he is all the time saying people try themselves and create more expense in the end when truck has to be towed in and then hire them to do it.I have 2000 F150 i bought new 9 years ago today,it has been great truck, i use 5w30 syn in it

 

[Nick R]

From what I've heard, the plugs in these engines are good till well after 100k miles, so way too early to worry. Maybe start thinking about changing them at 120K or so.

 

[DieselTech]

There is a reason ford sells more trucks than anyone else and also a reason they are in the position they are in. [censored] good truck, solid reliable, what more could you ask for. I'm thinkin in about a month I will pull the trigger on a new platinum edition.

That 4.6 will treat you right!!

It will require platinum plugs powerstrokeshop.com has them for 4.50 each. dealer is 12.00 each. This is a Coil on plug ( COP ) truck. Those wires are the coils. Honestly your getting 20MPG I wouldn't worry about the plugs until 100k. I have done some with 150k on them and the plugs were original. I would run a doese of redline sl-1 in it. stick with MC blend 5-20.

The trans needs serviced more often then 60k and check that coolant. Fuel filter is also due

 

[beast3300]

The 4.6 have been known to blow plugs out. The 3V 5.4 is the engine you just don't wanna touch the spark plugs. I would replace the plugs and fuel filter. Have you ever seen Motorcrafts with 70k? They will be gapped at like 65 thousandths.

 

[DieselTech]

Originally Posted By: beast3300
The 4.6 have been known to blow plugs out. The 3V 5.4 is the engine you just don't wanna touch the spark plugs. I would replace the plugs and fuel filter. Have you ever seen Motorcrafts with 70k? They will be gapped at like 65 thousandths.


really I have never seen that at 70k and I have changed more motorcraft plugs then BITOG has members. The 20MPG is living proof it doesn't need plugs. New 4.6 and 5.4 don't spit plugs......thats was long ago guys.

You wsill only want to use Motrocraft plugs in that truck.....do not buy champions

 

[OVERKILL]

Beautiful truck. And listen to DieselTech.

 

[beast3300]

Originally Posted By: DieselTech
Originally Posted By: beast3300
The 4.6 have been known to blow plugs out. The 3V 5.4 is the engine you just don't wanna touch the spark plugs. I would replace the plugs and fuel filter. Have you ever seen Motorcrafts with 70k? They will be gapped at like 65 thousandths.


really I have never seen that at 70k and I have changed more motorcraft plugs then BITOG has members. The 20MPG is living proof it doesn't need plugs. New 4.6 and 5.4 don't spit plugs......thats was long ago guys.

You wsill only want to use Motrocraft plugs in that truck.....do not buy champions


Interesting, o.e. plugs must wear better in AZ vs OH.

 

[DieselTech]

Low end gap is also .054. All I can go by is extensive expierence and training I have had from ford for the past 14 years.

Las vegas is close enough to AZ if by going with your geographical idea he's close enough to AZ to go 100k

 

[97f150]

Beautiful truck, CONGRATS! I have an 05 super crew, with 4.6 liter. As far as the plugs go, my truck has 95,000 miles on the originals. I will keep them till 100k and hire out to get them done. The 4.6s dont have any problem changing them, just something I would rather not do. The 5.4s plugs get stuck in the head and break. I have also had a 97 4.6 liter that I ran to well over 200k and never had any engine related problems. The 5.4s of the same era used to spit spark plugs out left and right.

 

[DieselTech]

yes there is a big difference between the one piece Motorcraft suppressor plug ( #SP413 ) and the 2 piece in the 05-current 5.4's and 3V 4.6's. Labor is alot less and the plugs cost much less also.

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Wonderful truck and a nice buy at $8000. Nothing more exciting than a good used purchase. Saving $15-20,000 over a new truck, while probably being just as servicable, is a lot to be happy about.

Go Ford! Good luck with it.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

AWESOME TRUCK!...CONGRATS....BTW I kept my plugs in my last 4.6 for 200K miles with no issues what so ever...I was going to finally change them when Hurricane Wilma totaled the car for me.

 

[artificialist]

If the vehicle got a coolant change at jiffy lube, odds are they used a Dexclone, and IIRC, 2005 Ford trucks used G-05/HOAT.

I'm not sure if the Dexclone will cause harm to your truck...

Anyway, has the gear oil been replaced? You should replace it if it hasn't been done already.

 

[pacem]

That is an absolute bargain. auto or stick?

 

[dishdude]

It's an auto, 2wd, all power options - pretty much exactly how I would buy it if new!

The fuel filter was also changed at 60k. I was going to change the plugs out early because I was worried about not being able to get them out at 100k, but no one seems to think that is an issue so I will probably just hold off on doing them. (Thanks DieselTech)

I took a look at the coolant, and it is a greenish color. Not quite the color of old fashioned green, but a little more yellowish. This was done by "JLI" which I assume is Jiffy Lube. Does anyone know if they just use a universal coolant, and is this stuff ok for this truck?

 

[caravanmike]

8k seems like an excellent price. you can't get a truck anywhere near (ohio) with that low of a price for a 05 f-150. you might be able to get a 4.2L work truck 05 f-150 for 8k with high mileage.

and maintenance history is included! bonus! i think you stole it! mike