Hi guys. I am a proud new owner of a 1999 gold F150 SuperCab 4x2. I had a couple of questions in regards to the truck (ive tried searching so any input is appreciated).

How can i tell what trim level it is? I know it has the 5.4 Triton, but other then that, there is no badging or indication of trim. All i know is that it has a power drivers seat, no foglights, basic radio/cassette deck and towing package.

It did not come with a manual, so i am trying to figure out some easy maintenance facts and procedures for keeping this baby up to par. Any information on the basics would be really helpful. I dont even know what oil filter, weight, locations etc...

The truck seems to be running pretty good right now, i just did a 200 mile trip from where i picked it up and it happily averaged 17.8 mpg (~70-75mph), is this about normal?

And how can i tell what rear end it has, and what the towing capacity is (i saw the chart but dont know my trucks specs). I am planning on towing a 16-18' open car hauler with it, so i just want to be prepared with information. I plan on getting a prodigy brake controller for this btw.

Ill get some pics up tomorrow. A storm is passing through so the viewing pleasure will have to wait.

Pictures added to post #11

Thanks
Alan

 

#1: do you have leather seats?
#2: do you have power windows and locks?
#3: what is the axle code? sounds like you have a 3.55 (H9) which is a little high for towing

if you lift the hood the oil filler cap will tell you 5w20 or something like that, are you sure you don't have the 4.6 triton?

start with a "gotts intake", change the plugs and COPS and see where it goes from there, long tube headers, custom tunes and e-fans will be a help on the towing and consider 4.10 gears (depending on what you've got now)

 

btw ur getting excellent mileage if you have the 5.4

 

It does not have leather, and is a 60/40 split bench design. The engine cover says 5.4 Triton on it, so that is what i am going by for the time being. How can i tell what axle it has again? where would the code be located at?

Ive read up on the Gotts intake. It sounds decent so i may give it a try when i get a drop-in filter. Ill also have to check out the COP's and plugs. The previous owner was an elderly man who did say he used to take it into his local Ford Dealer for routine service. The truck itself only has 63k on the odometer, so ill just have to check out the physical appearance of the COP's, or is there a surefire way of testing their effectiveness?

I want to keep this truck emissions legal (California emissions at that) so would long tubes still be an option? or just a catback exhaust? I'll look into my options for a tune as well. What benefit would electric fans have over a belt/clutch driven unit? besides robbing a horse or two i cant see what the point is.

And did the towing package include a trans cooler on this model year? if not, ill have to think about picking one up.

Thanks again guys, looks like i found a pretty decent example, just needs a little tweaking to be where i want it.

 

From what i've read the tow package did include a trans cooler

Your COP's should be ok, but if your going to change plugs you might want to look into switching them because its a PITA imo to do plug or cop work on these things

can't help you on the trim level

i have a 98 4x4 5.4L and i use a fram ph2 filter im assuming it'd be the same on ur truck i don't know the motorcraft part number though

I'd also recommend looking into airbags or helper overload springs, i hooked up mine to a 18' open car trailer and put on a car that weighs in around 3000 pounds and it squatted my truck real quick, i was still within my towing parameters but i just don't like how it looks so im going to order some helper springs for like 50 dollars from jcwhitney, just something to think about

 

on the drivers door jamp should be a big white sticker the axle code will tell us your rear end gears.


do you have power locks, windows and mirrors?

 

Welcome to the forum! if your getting 17.8 mpg that is real good for the 5.4, I know you said a storm was coming through so when it clears up post some pics of your new ride we`d love to seem them

 

Welcome to the site! On the oil filter, do not use Fram. Motorcraft or Purolator are good choices. Ford requires an anti drain back plug so there is oil on start up. Fram uses a card board tube taht sometimes collapses.

 

how often does the cardboard collapse?? we've been running fram on all our vehicles for as long as we've owned them and have never encountered a problem

how bout a napa filter?? them any good?

 

1999 was an easy year to figure the trim.
However, ten years is a long time and a previous owner may have shaved Trim or may have upgraded a lower Trim, aftermarket.

There were four Trim Lines, a 5.4L could be ordered for any of them.
Lariat
XLT
XL
Work Series

You say you don't have Leather.....
All Lariats had leather seats and steering wheel, I can't imagine someone ripping that out, so most likely you don't have a Lariat.

XLT Cloth seats, carpet.
Power Door locks and power mirrors standard. This is why a couple of people above have asked if you had 'Power Doorlocks', This is not something people usually bother to swap out and I don't think it was an option for the lower trim lines, if you wanted power locks, you had to pay the XLT price.
So, if you have power door locks, your truck was propbably an XLT.

XL Cloth seats, vinyl floor, passenger-side visor mirror, map lights, underhood light, Chrome bumpers front/rear.

Work Series Vinyl bench seat, vinyl floor, Argent bumpers

My guess is you have an XLT that was shaved.
Unless you have manual door locks, then I'd guess an XL with an non-factory power seat.

 

Thanks for the trim level break down. I do have power locks, windows and mirrors, so i guess its an XLT.

Anyways here are the pics

 

your fender badge says 'xlt' in red letters (right below where it says f150)...and why are people saying 17.8 mpg is so good for what sounds like an all-highways trip? it should get at least that good on a trip that was mostly highway...i think they were rated at 20 or so on the sticker...my brother's '05 5.4 4x4 will get 18 on the interstate...

 

whoops, wow i didnt even think to look at the 'F150' badge. I just always thought to look on the B-pillar, but yeah XLT it is. kinda feel like an idiot on that one.

Mileage was mixed with about 50 miles of 'across town' duty and then the highway stuff. But hopefully the Gotts intake, exhaust and tune will help that out some. In regards to a tune, ive seen a couple peoples preferences, but do they all utilize an SCT tuner or some other form of tuning/ecu?

 

first off show me one car that gets wat the sticker says it gets...personally i've never owned one nor has my family

my old 85 cutlass was suppose to get 19 i got 12
04 dodge cummins was rated in the 20's i believe we got 16
and so on

secondly i htink the 3v 5.4's get a lil better gas mileage than our 2v's...at least from what i've read about ppl and their mileage

even after a programmer, CAI, exhaust and plug change the best i have gotten is 16.7 doing 60 on pre flat terrain and that was just for about 70 miles or so

i consider it lucky if i average above 15 a tank usually im around 13-14

 

You're getting good mileage for a 5.4L. I average 12 mpg on my 2 valve 5.4 L turning 35'' tires w/ a solid lead foot.