the clunking in the back drives me nuts, I replaced both shocks and both u joints in the rear driveshaft, all I can think of is the truck was hit before on the DS rear, and theres a spring pack with no keepers on it and its all twisted up and no matter what size hammer I whack it with, it won't straighten, and usually they straighten out, so I'm assuming either somethings twisted up or the bushings are messed up, My uncle's giving me spring packs this weekend though, so I'll add springs and replace the one whole pack in the process hopefully alleviating the problem, and the clunk I just started getting in the front I believe is the sway bar end links loosening up since I cranked it up for the 305s....I got to look though. I can't turn the bars down any though, they are 2 turns from max and it still rubs the inner fender if you hit a bump at full lock, which is any driveway exit/entry.. I love the comfort of my truck, but everytime I hit a hill with this 5.4 I wish I had more torque.......do small mods liek cold air intake and programmer make much of a difference?

 

Yeah my BIL had one with dual disc clutch, magnaflow ss turboback, etc. etc. 18s, tint, I loved it, I ran it up to 145 past my house first time I drove it, I just loved he exotic sound and the sweet black leather.....I probably like my truck 100% better if it made 300hp...I suppose I'll just keep it. It just sucks driving a GM and having all that power, I know the truck is built half as good as mine and it shows especially on small things like window latchs, regulators, etc. I just hate knowing I could of paid the same amount for something with alot more power. haha it kills me how low they sit though, I'd have to do keys and leafs right away. I'll probably just keep my truck and get the bottom painted and eventually a procharger.

 

A tune will do you nicely, very noticeable difference. Other option is gears.. and ofcoarse exhaust and intake, but you would want to do that before the tune. The money adds up a bit.. But even for me, I just dropped a 1200 dollar motor with 10k miles in my 99 5.4L.. Now I cant wait to put the maggies on and get it on some bigger tires.

 

Is the clunking only when you take off?

 

in the rear? constantly, any bump, if i jolt the gas, anytime i put it in reverse, its probably 10x louder then the bad balljoints were....

 

Somethings twisted up back there. It's probably visual. Damn, I just sold a spare set of rear springs and keepers along with the axle.

 

I'd rather have a rotted out Yota pickup than a Chevy, but honestly I can't say too much bad about them.

Life is too short to drive something you don't like, if you don't HAVE to drive it. If you'd rather have a Chevy, get a Chevy.

One thing I don't understand though, is why people often complain about the power of modern V8's? Drive a truck with a 4 cyl. or old 6 cyl. for a while and it will make you appreciate the power you do have.

 

5.4 makes more than enuff power....you need a gear swap and that will get things rolling. But yes a programmer makes a huge difference.

 

there's a couple guys getting rid of lightning leaf packs after the swap to fiberglass leafs...



most likely your truck had an add a leaf in the rear, do you have 3.55 gears in it now???

 

I GO THROUGH THIS WITH MY WIFE EVERY TIME I HAVE TO FIX SOMETHING ON THE TRUCK...... I TELL HER IT IS STILL CHEAPER TO HAVE MY OLD TRUCK SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY , THAN THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE..... WHICH IS A NEW FORD TRUCK!!!!!!! or maybe a dodge diesel BUT ANYWAY, DID I SAY THAT?

all im sayin is that you will want to put different wheels or something on a new car also, because obviously ur on a site that most ppl are on to learn about mods , repairs and such, which tells me you are THAT KINDA GUY...like the rest of us who cant leave things alone. sheeesh, im outta breath!

 

I for one won't try to talk you out of it. Most guys on here love their trucks. I have noticed on your other posts, that you don't seem to love yours. I don't know what other types of vehicles you have owned, but they all need $$$ eventually. I went through a similar feeling several years ago and ditched a truck for a sports car (used). A Toyota (supposed to be reliable...Right?). I spent wayyyyy more money fixing that thing than I have in 11 years owning my F150. Don't be surprised, if you buy the A4 and find yourself really missing your truck. It does suck owning a vehicle that you hate to drive and hate to look at, but don't be surprised if you end up back in a F150.

 

honestly both of those choices of other cars are terrible.

my dad has an 04 1500 Z71 and my stepmom has a 06 Yukon and i really do hate both of them compared to my F150. Their interiors rattle, the steering clunks, the rear end clunks. Honestly just inferior built vehicles. And the audi...well if you make 150k+ a year then go for it, but if not..lol

 

x2 on the cheap noisy interiors on the older GMs

 

that is one thing on the 03 gmc, both door panels rattle on every bump you hit, ahahah. I love how my truck looks, and the attention it gets, I just hate how I can't ever do anything because it always needs attention. and the 5.4 makes me sad, I do have 3.55s and 305s but even in the winter on 265s it isnt much better if at all...the 305 isn't really worlds taller...I will probably keep it for now. I will say with 150,500 miles my truck steers 10x better then that gmc hahah

 

getting two spring packs complete from my uncle tommorow, going to do an add a leaf at the same time and hopefully solve my clanking issue. I'm really hoping its the twisted up LR leafs, can't really be anything else..