I honestly don't know whether to laugh or cry...

Don't get me wrong, I've been a Ford fan for years, but I've been stranded more than a few times due to Ford quality control issues (usually one of our Mustangs).

I guess they are getting better, but let's just say I haven't cancelled my AAA membership yet.

 

I find Ford trucks to be of excellent quality. I have never been stranded by one of my Ford trucks. And I've have a '90 F150 since new(5.0), driven 160,000mi over 10yrs w/ only minor problems. Had a '91 E 150 cargo van w/ well over 100,000mi and loaded w/ at least twice what it should carry on a 24/7 basis, and that straight six never complained once. An '86 F250 that was a little underpowered but no problmes w/ it.
My '04 F150(5.4) has only 16,000mi. My '03 E350(5.4) has only 37,000, neither had any issues to this date.
Thats my personal experience w/ Ford trucks and their engines.

 

So heres my question....Lets say half way through 06 they "up" the horsepower on them to keep up with everyone else. Will it be as simple as a different tune from the factory or will there be changes in the engine like the 99' with the PI heads? If its just a tune can a guy go to the dealer and get it reflashed and have the extra ponies?

 

Amen!!

 

Mine is an 05 and it ticks due to cam phasors. If Ford "upgraded" the valve train then why do we still have problems? This new 5.4 is junk in my book. Its low on power, ticks/knocks, and has a tendancy to sieze its spark plugs after any type higher mileage. That picture above worries me.

 

It worries me also silverbullet. I just took that pic this morning with my cell phone. Its an '05 Lariat in our shop with 18k miles on it and looks like a well maintained truck. For some reason he had it in for a plug change and you can see what happened. Mine has had the right cam phaser done 10k miles ago and now the left one is ticking. Dont get me wrong, I absoutely love this truck but this stuff is a little worrisome!

 

Wow they brought it in for a spark plug change at 18k? Thats pretty early, in fact guys on this board would probably make fun of him/her. Is the shop or he going to pay for it? Also, did the cam phasor "fix" stop your ticking at all?Thx.

 

My guess is he's a member of this board and heard about the plug problem. I havent talked to him but that's my hunch. I work at a good store and apparently we are going to pay for the head repair. My cam phaser repair did fix my ticking a few months ago but unfortunatley they didn't do both sides...now the drivers side one is ticking. Man I hate to tear into the engine again but guess I have no choice.

 

I hope when i pull my plugs my stuff messes up. I've been dieing to put a shortblock in my truck.

 

I can't believe we have to worry about changing spark plugs on these things...but the reality is there I guess. My 06' is pretty darn quiet. Granted it sounds like a sewing machine (the motor) it runs smooth and sounds ok? There's no rapping or ticking like a bad lifter or anything like I would normally hear on an older engine. Maybe they fixed alot of things with the 06's?

 

Late 2005 here too .... I had the valve tap / tick since about 1000 miles on the ODO. That, along with the drive train shutter, an alignment issue from the factory, a crazy 6-disk CD player, etc., etc.

I like Ford trucks ... but not sure how long I'll keep this one, or if I'll buy another.