Hi all,

My truck should be here next week. It is a 5.4 black xlt 4x4 automatic. It has 3.73LS, and the off road package. It also has 140k on it.

What issues are there with this year of truck? Anything specific that I need to look for before paying in full?

Also, it has the 4x4 stick on the floor. Can this still be engaged while driving, or do I need to stop?


One more thing, what are the best Bolt on mods for this truck (excludes gears). Does exhaust add any power, or is purely for sound? CAI or any kind of performance air intake worth the money? Any actual dyno proven power differences for these items? What about Underdrive pullies or an electric fan to free up some power? I know this is a truck, but anything to have some more grunt is ok in my book.

I have read on here that a tune seems to help a lot, but I would only want an 87 tune so I am not sure if that would even be worth it.

Thanks!

 

Sounds like a nice truck and package. I especially like the fact that it has the shifter on the floor for the 4x4. You can shift to 4H on the fly but I believe that is only recommended up to 30 mph and only do this when the conditions are suitable for 4x4 use. For 4L, you will need to come to a stop, put the tranny in neutral, then shift to 4L and then (D) drive for the tranny and go!

Do you know anything about the past maintenance on the truck? If it were me, I'd probably change all fluids to start. Inspect the 4x4 system (make sure it engages) plugs\wires etc.

As far as mods, there will be many different opinions on that subject - I'd search and form your own. I can vouch that custom tuning is sweet! Congrats on the new ride.

 

Im pretty positive that year doesn't have any issues

for the intake look up the Gotts mod intake. that and a flow through type muffler will help it breathe.

sounds like a nice truck!

 

Thanks for the info. I am trying to find out the previous 2 owners phone numbers. I have also asked them to do a compression test with their normal check up that they do (the dealer).

 

Is that for all 99-03 f-150s, or just the ones with the shifter on the floor?

 

The very first thing you want to do is retorque the spark plugs to 28 ft/lb.

 

That goes for any 4x4 system that you engage. You should be in a terrain that will allow for some slippage ie: snow, mud, ice, etc. I would never engage 4wd on drive pavement unless you are going very slow and just checking to make sure it locks in before you hit the fun stuff.

 

Download the owners manual in .PDF format. Lots of good stuff in there including the speed at which you can engage 4WD high and procedure for 4WD low. Hint, the 30mph speed references is too low, it can be higher.

 

Thanks. I was thinking it was more like 55ish, but I will check it out.

 

My other truck is a 99 w/5.4, first thing if you have the money, get rid of the 'y' pipe on the exhaust, the drivers side exhaust dumps into a very, very restrictive 'y' pipe if you can even call it that, and run 2.25 or 2.5 true duals into decent muffler(s). You'll notice a BIG difference. Do not run straight pipes, sounds like hell and you loose some low end power...I know this from my truck.. Get msd coils, and if you can't swing for a cold air intake, get a K/N filter, and take off the small plastic piece at the end of the air intake (it goes into the fender). With just these 2 things you'll feel a difference and a tad better fuel mileage. My other truck is a 00 Harley Davidson, I have the magnaflow DI/DO with a 'x' pipe built in, with that set up I gained alot of top end power. My 99 I have cheapo Napa mufflers on, those are only good for low/mid power, after 75 mph there isn't alot of power, where my 00 has good power in all bands. Hope this helps get you started... Only issue with 99-02 is the spark plug blow out problem, happened to my 99, but don't let that scare you off, search it though just so you have an understanding of the problem.