What are major problems with the 04 Scab?
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 17,079
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Originally Posted by 10krpms
do the 04's have the "sparkplug issue"?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 273
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From: Sarver, Pa
My truck is an 05 FX4, build date of 03/05, currently with 24k miles.
Problem thus far include:
Brake master cylinder replaced (failed 4 days after taking delivery, 400miles on odometer)
Fixed headliner vibration per TSB (moonroof trucks)
Hood, fenders and roof repainted, windshield replaced, and rest of truck buffed due to severe acid rain damage (truck had spots in paint when I took delivery, and they kept getting worse until the paint would not shine)
Truck reflashed due to clunk on 3-2 downshift. Reflash caused the truck to hit rev-limiter at the top of 1st gear at WOT when in drive. Edge fixed this when Ford would not. (Ford said that they could not modify rev-limiters and that I had the lastest computer code, and could not go back to my previous code)
Rear emergency brake cams greased and adjusted due to e-brakes sticking. They also reflashed my computer at this time, which fixed the WOT 1-2 shift problem caused by the last reflash.
Replaced power rear slider switch due to internal light going bad
All-in-all, I still love the truck. It looks awesome, is comfortable, has plenty of power (thanks to Edge, K&N, and Magnaflow), handles excellent, and makes a great truck for hauling and towing. I regularly pulled a 16ft trailer that is usually loaded with either cars or quads, and have no problems. I would buy another one in a heartbeat (or at least when they start offering the diesel or the 6.2 V8).
Problem thus far include:
Brake master cylinder replaced (failed 4 days after taking delivery, 400miles on odometer)
Fixed headliner vibration per TSB (moonroof trucks)
Hood, fenders and roof repainted, windshield replaced, and rest of truck buffed due to severe acid rain damage (truck had spots in paint when I took delivery, and they kept getting worse until the paint would not shine)
Truck reflashed due to clunk on 3-2 downshift. Reflash caused the truck to hit rev-limiter at the top of 1st gear at WOT when in drive. Edge fixed this when Ford would not. (Ford said that they could not modify rev-limiters and that I had the lastest computer code, and could not go back to my previous code)
Rear emergency brake cams greased and adjusted due to e-brakes sticking. They also reflashed my computer at this time, which fixed the WOT 1-2 shift problem caused by the last reflash.
Replaced power rear slider switch due to internal light going bad
All-in-all, I still love the truck. It looks awesome, is comfortable, has plenty of power (thanks to Edge, K&N, and Magnaflow), handles excellent, and makes a great truck for hauling and towing. I regularly pulled a 16ft trailer that is usually loaded with either cars or quads, and have no problems. I would buy another one in a heartbeat (or at least when they start offering the diesel or the 6.2 V8).
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 27
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I have an 04 FX4 Screw flair side, problems I've had:
1. Rear end shutter at low speed turns; Limited slip clutch was bad, Under warranty, fixed in a day. No problems since.
2. Squeaky brakes (front). Ford tried to fix (de-glaze, etc..) but squeaked three weeks later. I decided to get a set of Wagner thermo quiets, not a squeek since.
3. Right rear tails light was loose, Ford replaced the whole light under warranty.
4. Blower fan squeaked at random. Ford replaced the blower fan unit, perfect now.
5. Squeaky ash tray/bezel. I pulled it apart, and with liberal application of di-electric grease, eliminated the squeak.
6. I changed the spark plugs based on a thread in this forum. They came out fine. The truck also idled better with the new ones. I'll be replacing them every 50000kms (this should be done anyway for any vehicle).
7. Regular maintenace, oil changes, tire rotations, air filter.
8. Mods: Rear end shackle kit to level out, that's it so far (
)
It may seem like a lot of issues, but all it was two trips to the dealer (one of the rear end stutter/brakes, other before the truck came out of warranty) and super quick service got my truck back within that same day.
I love the truck, it drives so nice and smooth, can tow anything I want and is the best looking truck on the road.
1. Rear end shutter at low speed turns; Limited slip clutch was bad, Under warranty, fixed in a day. No problems since.
2. Squeaky brakes (front). Ford tried to fix (de-glaze, etc..) but squeaked three weeks later. I decided to get a set of Wagner thermo quiets, not a squeek since.
3. Right rear tails light was loose, Ford replaced the whole light under warranty.
4. Blower fan squeaked at random. Ford replaced the blower fan unit, perfect now.
5. Squeaky ash tray/bezel. I pulled it apart, and with liberal application of di-electric grease, eliminated the squeak.
6. I changed the spark plugs based on a thread in this forum. They came out fine. The truck also idled better with the new ones. I'll be replacing them every 50000kms (this should be done anyway for any vehicle).
7. Regular maintenace, oil changes, tire rotations, air filter.
8. Mods: Rear end shackle kit to level out, that's it so far (
)It may seem like a lot of issues, but all it was two trips to the dealer (one of the rear end stutter/brakes, other before the truck came out of warranty) and super quick service got my truck back within that same day.
I love the truck, it drives so nice and smooth, can tow anything I want and is the best looking truck on the road.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2
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SPrung fuel filler door
Originally Posted by Quintin
I've got an '04 Supercab with 38K miles on it. All of my problems have been mostly annoying ones, the most major being replacing the passenger's side cam phaser 'cause it was noisy.
I've "fixed" the brakes three times over now. Turned the front rotors once, replaced them a few months later, turned the rear rotors once, and turned the front rotors again and replaced the front calipers with the latest service parts for brake pulsation.
I've replaced the motor mounts, "neutralized" the exhaust and reprogrammed the PCM for an idle vibration.
Replaced the serpentine belt a couple times for a chirping on cold start up.
Replaced the EATC control head 'cause it was flickering on and off.
Replaced the fuel filler door latch twice.
Replaced the driver's window regulator.
Replaced the ashtray, but that was my fault 'cause I was having a bad day, got pissed off and smacked it, breaking the latch.
I don't think what I've done isn't anything out of the ordinary for a first model year run truck. It's been pretty good to me despite those nagging problems.
I've "fixed" the brakes three times over now. Turned the front rotors once, replaced them a few months later, turned the rear rotors once, and turned the front rotors again and replaced the front calipers with the latest service parts for brake pulsation.
I've replaced the motor mounts, "neutralized" the exhaust and reprogrammed the PCM for an idle vibration.
Replaced the serpentine belt a couple times for a chirping on cold start up.
Replaced the EATC control head 'cause it was flickering on and off.
Replaced the fuel filler door latch twice.
Replaced the driver's window regulator.
Replaced the ashtray, but that was my fault 'cause I was having a bad day, got pissed off and smacked it, breaking the latch.
I don't think what I've done isn't anything out of the ordinary for a first model year run truck. It's been pretty good to me despite those nagging problems.
Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Ga.
04
5.4
screw
45,000 miles...
perhaps I'm one of the lucky ones only problem I've had is the third brake light leaks if you spray it with hose up close....not a big deal...one day I'll pull it apart and see whats up...
only second ford I've owned....hopefully this'n will be good as my 96 ranger....315,000 on it...regular maintnace and tires....most wouldn't believe but still had original factory brake pads
5.4
screw
45,000 miles...
perhaps I'm one of the lucky ones
only problem I've had is the third brake light leaks if you spray it with hose up close....not a big deal...one day I'll pull it apart and see whats up...only second ford I've owned....hopefully this'n will be good as my 96 ranger....315,000 on it...regular maintnace and tires....most wouldn't believe but still had original factory brake pads
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Georgia, USA
04 \scab
bought used 51k miles
Reading up on this truck is scary, although I did do quite a bit of reasearch before I decided this truck was what i wanted, indeed folks it is the truck that got toyota and nissan off their tuner trips to build a truck to compete with it.
so far I have noticed a wierd bump feeling , just randomly once in a while around 30-40 mph it feels like I ran over a cat or something.
sometimes when it is parked cold, first few minutes it shakes pretty good, like a tire out of balance, then it disappears.
Idles like it has a misfire, but it is not misfiring... I still need to change Fuel filter and clean the TB
Transmission is scary, if really feels like it slips too much but not really... takes some getting used to
driving this truck easy is hard.. easing off at redlights and then gassing it really reminds me of 80's GM buicks, olds, pontiac downsized big blocks. it really feels like too much weight and not enough crankshaft torque. Then minutes later it seems fine and really has a good exhaust tone like a well broken in cam. MY 99 silverado 5.3 would smoke it at any speed, which ticks me off.
annoyances, yes.. that is probably a good description of the "problems"
I hate driving this truck for errands, it is too smooth like grandma's caddy.
bought used 51k miles
Reading up on this truck is scary, although I did do quite a bit of reasearch before I decided this truck was what i wanted, indeed folks it is the truck that got toyota and nissan off their tuner trips to build a truck to compete with it.
so far I have noticed a wierd bump feeling , just randomly once in a while around 30-40 mph it feels like I ran over a cat or something.
sometimes when it is parked cold, first few minutes it shakes pretty good, like a tire out of balance, then it disappears.
Idles like it has a misfire, but it is not misfiring... I still need to change Fuel filter and clean the TB
Transmission is scary, if really feels like it slips too much but not really... takes some getting used to
driving this truck easy is hard.. easing off at redlights and then gassing it really reminds me of 80's GM buicks, olds, pontiac downsized big blocks. it really feels like too much weight and not enough crankshaft torque. Then minutes later it seems fine and really has a good exhaust tone like a well broken in cam. MY 99 silverado 5.3 would smoke it at any speed, which ticks me off.
annoyances, yes.. that is probably a good description of the "problems"
I hate driving this truck for errands, it is too smooth like grandma's caddy.
Last edited by Roodoo2; Nov 21, 2007 at 08:07 PM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: N. Florida
Just bought an 04 xl Scab, 4.6 2wd with 98k miles, with Flowmasters. Truck in very good condition and a one owner well cared for.
Previous owner said no serious problems and truck seem fine to me. They did replace front brakes but report nothing else wrong.
Power could be better.
What do I need to check on to avoid problems?
Been reading the forum and beginnig to wonder if I bought the right truck.
Previous owner said no serious problems and truck seem fine to me. They did replace front brakes but report nothing else wrong.
Power could be better.
What do I need to check on to avoid problems?
Been reading the forum and beginnig to wonder if I bought the right truck.