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

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Originally Posted By: 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


+1

FWIW my dealership sells the plugs for $6.89 each.
 
12.00 is retail on them the dealer can do what they want from there.

The coolant sounds correct to be G-05 by the yellowish color he describes.
 
Originally Posted By: dishdude

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?



I think Jiffy Lube probably put Prestone Dexclone in it from your description. It will protect against metal corrosion well and I don't think it will cause any problems with your gaskets, but it could and it's not what Ford recommends. I would change it out for some G-05.
 
Nice truck! You're getting good info so far but I'll echo it anyway just to help it sink in a little farther :).

*don't worry about the plugs until 100k, then have a good shop do it
*the transmission isn't the strongest one ever built so keep up with the changes on it - I pull as much as I can out of the dipstick ever 10k (usually 6-8 qts) and replace with whatever certified Merc5 I can find (usually pennzoil since the local walmart is good about keeping it in stock)
*MC 5w20 + MC oil filter = a looooong & happy life for the engine
*I wouldn't worry about the coolant but if it worries you then get at least another 10k (80k on unit) and then dump it
 
Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
I kept my plugs in my last 4.6 for 200K miles with no issues what so ever


That's amazing service life out of them. Did the ignition wires hold out that long too or was this a Coil On Plug model?

I have 71,000 on my 4.6 and after this thread I'm thinking the plugs are good for the rest of my life lol!
 
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
I kept my plugs in my last 4.6 for 200K miles with no issues what so ever


That's amazing service life out of them. Did the ignition wires hold out that long too or was this a Coil On Plug model?

I have 71,000 on my 4.6 and after this thread I'm thinking the plugs are good for the rest of my life lol!


Coil on plugs...No issues at all..It was running smooth and getting decent mileage so left it alone...I was planning to do it [was going to take the car on a long trip] but the Hurricane did the car in.

The 05 Crown Vic I have now has 89K miles on it and the plugs/coils have never been touched...Planning on driving it to NYC at the end of the month without touching the plugs or coils.
 
Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
I kept my plugs in my last 4.6 for 200K miles with no issues what so ever


That's amazing service life out of them. Did the ignition wires hold out that long too or was this a Coil On Plug model?

I have 71,000 on my 4.6 and after this thread I'm thinking the plugs are good for the rest of my life lol!


Coil on plugs...No issues at all..It was running smooth and getting decent mileage so left it alone...I was planning to do it [was going to take the car on a long trip] but the Hurricane did the car in.

The 05 Crown Vic I have now has 89K miles on it and the plugs/coils have never been touched...Planning on driving it to NYC at the end of the month without touching the plugs or coils.


Thanks for sharing the information. Sorry about the Hurricane loss.
With my car having ignition wires I'll just plan on doing it all at 100,000 miles. It's a '96 so everything's going to be around 16 - 17 years old by then. Pretty decent interval I must say.
 
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: dishdude

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?



I think Jiffy Lube probably put Prestone Dexclone in it from your description. It will protect against metal corrosion well and I don't think it will cause any problems with your gaskets, but it could and it's not what Ford recommends. I would change it out for some G-05.


I used Prestone Dexcool in my GMs, and it was orange (even had a GM logo on the bottle). Does Prestone make another coolant that is a Dexclone in a yellow color? I really don't want to drain this stuff out of it is the correct fill since it was only done 1.5 years ago.
 
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: dishdude

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?



I think Jiffy Lube probably put Prestone Dexclone in it from your description. It will protect against metal corrosion well and I don't think it will cause any problems with your gaskets, but it could and it's not what Ford recommends. I would change it out for some G-05.


I used Prestone Dexcool in my GMs, and it was orange (even had a GM logo on the bottle). Does Prestone make another coolant that is a Dexclone in a yellow color? I really don't want to drain this stuff out of it is the correct fill since it was only done 1.5 years ago.


Yes the Prestone all makes is the same formula as Prestone Dexcool but isn't dyed orange but a yellowish green. I don't think it will harm any gaskets over time. Maybe keep an eye on it and eventually change it out with G-05, the recommended coolant.
 
Congrats on the truck!, low miles, more recent year and $8k price tag cannot be beat. You did well choosing your new ride.
 
Looks good, same engine my son has in his 05 Explorer XLT 2wd. That said, I don't think he's getting 20mpg in mixed driving. That sounds very good.

As said, G-05 is the way to go with the coolant, readily available at NAPA's or the dealer for a reasonable price. As said though, whatever is in there (doubt it's G-05) should be ok for a while. Just next time go with G-05.

I looked at the plugs/location on the Explorer. For me, it would be a tough stretch over the front of the vehicle to get to all of them. That plus based on my reading, removal can be tricky, so I'd leave it to a dealer or experienced shop.

The Explorer has no trans dipstick, not sure about your truck. For me that means letting someone do the trans service.

And, the Explorer has primarily seen 5w20 MC syn blend and MC FL-820S with 5k OCI's which is consistent on the OLM.

Sounds like a great deal for 8K, congrats.
 
Originally Posted By: sayjac
Looks good, same engine my son has in his 05 Explorer XLT 2wd. That said, I don't think he's getting 20mpg in mixed driving. That sounds very good.


I was driving it for a couple of weeks with no intention of purchasing it, so I wasn't tracking the mileage scientifically. All I did was divide the miles on the trip odo (370 Miles)/18 gallons to fill the tank = 20.5MPG so you're right, there are a lot of variables there so I might be off a little.
 
I'm late to the party here. WOW!! Nice truck. It's early in the year but I believe this might be the best deal of 2010. $8K is a steal. Congrats on a great looking Ford truck.
 
I have that exact truck but mine is white. I was just like you, didn't care for Fords but drove the company F-150 and decided that was the truck I wanted. They are really nice vehicles.
I suggest you replace the shocks. I put Bilstein shocks on mine at 40k and it made the ride smoother and less bouncy.

Changing plugs requires pulling the fuel rail off the passenger side and it will be easier if you pull the driver side also. It is very easy but you'll want to have a set of fuel injector o-rings on hand. I didn't change the boots, they were still in like new condition.
 
You don't need to pull fuel rails to change plugs on either the 4.6 2V or the 5.4 3V.

Sweet buy! Personally, I would stick with Motorcraft brand Gold coolant in your truck. I'm not a believer in Prestone coolants at all.
 
I have one question about the G-05 coolant...I do not mean to hijack this thread but how often do you guys that have the G-05 change it?...Ford recommends 100K miles but so far I am doing it at 60K miles...Is 60K miles enough?
 
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