'04 owners how's your truck holding up?
'04 FX4 S/Cab Flareside, 260,000kms (163,000mi)
Bought it as 236,000kms as follows:
- cruise doesn't cruise
- no lightshow in console
- broken drivers door grab-handle (not the lever, the grab part)
- large chunk out of driver's cloth seat where you get in and out
- broken centre storage compartment in dash
- loose plastic cowl
- periodic high pitched whine below -10c
- very loud cam phasers
- drivers side door/window switches messed up
- loud rattle on start-up
- very rough and rickety ride compared to my smooth as silk '98 4x4
- small chunk of Ford logo in steering wheel missing
- doors rattle when you go over bumps (assuming it's because there's no B pillar?)
When I bought the truck it got all new brakes and front end parts. In that regard it handles like new, but is still rough and rickety on any road surface other than new. P-series tires help though and are alot smoother than LT's.
Since then I have:
- replaced 3 of 4 brake calipers
- rear axle seals
- vacuum hose at rear right of engine fell off, cut hole in cab floor to get at it instead of removing intake manifold
- parking brake sometimes sticks, so I quit using it
Overall the truck is very capable. Good handling (except for the rough and rickety ride) and engine works great at this high mileage. Loud Cam phaser tick is annoying but have learned to live with it until I decide to have them changed. I know it was not perfect when I bought it and guess what, it's still not perfect! I test drove an '06 with 65,000kms recently and found my truck to ride better than it so I don't believe that anything changed in terms of ride quality on the '05+.
Although I sorely miss my '98 4x4 in terms of ride quality, solidness/quietness, and comfy seats, the 04+ is far superior in terms of engine power, handling, and braking.
Bought it as 236,000kms as follows:
- cruise doesn't cruise
- no lightshow in console
- broken drivers door grab-handle (not the lever, the grab part)
- large chunk out of driver's cloth seat where you get in and out
- broken centre storage compartment in dash
- loose plastic cowl
- periodic high pitched whine below -10c
- very loud cam phasers
- drivers side door/window switches messed up
- loud rattle on start-up
- very rough and rickety ride compared to my smooth as silk '98 4x4
- small chunk of Ford logo in steering wheel missing
- doors rattle when you go over bumps (assuming it's because there's no B pillar?)
When I bought the truck it got all new brakes and front end parts. In that regard it handles like new, but is still rough and rickety on any road surface other than new. P-series tires help though and are alot smoother than LT's.
Since then I have:
- replaced 3 of 4 brake calipers
- rear axle seals
- vacuum hose at rear right of engine fell off, cut hole in cab floor to get at it instead of removing intake manifold
- parking brake sometimes sticks, so I quit using it
Overall the truck is very capable. Good handling (except for the rough and rickety ride) and engine works great at this high mileage. Loud Cam phaser tick is annoying but have learned to live with it until I decide to have them changed. I know it was not perfect when I bought it and guess what, it's still not perfect! I test drove an '06 with 65,000kms recently and found my truck to ride better than it so I don't believe that anything changed in terms of ride quality on the '05+.
Although I sorely miss my '98 4x4 in terms of ride quality, solidness/quietness, and comfy seats, the 04+ is far superior in terms of engine power, handling, and braking.
Taurus SHO, Just a thought but if you cruise isnt cruising and your parking break sticks it could be that your cruise thinks your parking break is on and so it wont engage cruise control. I must of bumped my parking break pedal once just slightly so the light didnt come on but my cruise thought it was on, so i just hit the release handle and the cruise started working again.
Got 230,000kms.
- Driveshat replaced (bad u-joint)
- Drivers leather seat is ripped
- Fuel pump control Module (Corrosion)
- Spark plugs (One Broke)
- Throttle body (My Fault)
- Hubs are grinding (Tracing them down to lines or hubs)
Other than that its just been regular maintance.. I drive my truck pretty hard, its done really good for whats it been through and it still looks great.
Next problem.... the exhaust is really starting to smell like rotten eggs!
- Driveshat replaced (bad u-joint)
- Drivers leather seat is ripped
- Fuel pump control Module (Corrosion)
- Spark plugs (One Broke)
- Throttle body (My Fault)
- Hubs are grinding (Tracing them down to lines or hubs)
Other than that its just been regular maintance.. I drive my truck pretty hard, its done really good for whats it been through and it still looks great.
Next problem.... the exhaust is really starting to smell like rotten eggs!
My '04 has had alot of the first run problems that were out there. Some of them got fixed, some of them went away, and some of them I live with.
But, still going pretty good 155k miles later.
But, still going pretty good 155k miles later.
04 Supercrew 4x4 with 76k here.
New Brake rotor (bought this way)
Got new lower ball joints replaced wednesday and got the uppers drilled and greased.
My 4x4 is messed up sadly
I need a new hub and bearing assembly, actuator and IWE solenoid.
Other than that it rides smooth and quiet. Can't complain one bit its been awesome so far.
New Brake rotor (bought this way)
Got new lower ball joints replaced wednesday and got the uppers drilled and greased.
My 4x4 is messed up sadly
I need a new hub and bearing assembly, actuator and IWE solenoid.
Other than that it rides smooth and quiet. Can't complain one bit its been awesome so far.
'04 FX4 - purchased 1 year ago at 40k miles
currently at 56k
problems:
Blower wheel for HVAC failed - 26 dollar and a half hour fix
Horn shorted(fuse didn't blow) - 40 dollars and a half hour fix
to be fixed:
left lightbulb at license plate( this ones gona be a doozie! )
4wd solenoid - no problem with it but changing as a preventative measure with the new design - 13 dollar part at tasca ford parts dot com!
Really happy with my truck so far, hopefully the previous owner worked out all of the bugs for me, i've used it on 3 roadtrips (1,000+ miles) and it's been enjoyable to drive.
currently at 56k
problems:
Blower wheel for HVAC failed - 26 dollar and a half hour fix
Horn shorted(fuse didn't blow) - 40 dollars and a half hour fix
to be fixed:
left lightbulb at license plate( this ones gona be a doozie! )
4wd solenoid - no problem with it but changing as a preventative measure with the new design - 13 dollar part at tasca ford parts dot com!
Really happy with my truck so far, hopefully the previous owner worked out all of the bugs for me, i've used it on 3 roadtrips (1,000+ miles) and it's been enjoyable to drive.
Got 230,000kms.
- Driveshat replaced (bad u-joint)
- Drivers leather seat is ripped
- Fuel pump control Module (Corrosion)
- Spark plugs (One Broke)
- Throttle body (My Fault)
- Hubs are grinding (Tracing them down to lines or hubs)
Other than that its just been regular maintance.. I drive my truck pretty hard, its done really good for whats it been through and it still looks great.
Next problem.... the exhaust is really starting to smell like rotten eggs!
- Driveshat replaced (bad u-joint)
- Drivers leather seat is ripped
- Fuel pump control Module (Corrosion)
- Spark plugs (One Broke)
- Throttle body (My Fault)
- Hubs are grinding (Tracing them down to lines or hubs)
Other than that its just been regular maintance.. I drive my truck pretty hard, its done really good for whats it been through and it still looks great.
Next problem.... the exhaust is really starting to smell like rotten eggs!
I've got 115,000 miles or so on my 04. It's been pretty rock solid. I got the plugs changed, broke a few, they got em out.
Put Brakes and Rotors and normal stuff.
The biggest issue I has was the exhaust manifold warping and breaking studs.
I still love my truck! Especially now that it's paid for!!
the only difference is the new valves have a built in shroud on top of the valve to keep moisture out of it, moisture will kill the vacuum signal and make a mess of your hubs only being partially engaged.
Got 86K on mine and i have not had too many problems just the regulars.... Window regulator broke and window fell hard but luckly didnt break. Back pass. window doesnt want to go up or down but its up so ******* it. Power mirrows dont work any more. Center shifter spring wore out and light went out got new one just aint fooled with puttin it on. Spark plugs..... Cd changer broke and i upgraded to a stock mp3 6dsk with ipod interface (NICE).... watery fog lights, bought some new ones on ebay and they holdin up great. sway bar ends loose and making popping sound, replaced both at same time and holdin up good(prolly cause of the levelin kit an 35s). Thats bout it, the other problems were from drinkin a couple too many an deciding to play in the woods. But i have to say shes holding up better than any of the chevys i have owned.
My truck is doing fine, 66000 miles and still drives as good as the day I got it. Only complaints are those cheap crap vent louvers for the heat/ac on the dash broke almost as soon as I got it (passenger side, superglued shut now), and the serpentine belt and front brake pads didn't last very long, but those things can't be expected to last forever.
I don't do much towing, I think the most I've ever pulled with it is maybe 5000# or so, and that is only once a year. Usually just pull a small 5x8 with an atv, so that might be 1000 tops. I've loaded that bed down pretty good though, overloaded a couple of times, no problems from that though.
I don't do much towing, I think the most I've ever pulled with it is maybe 5000# or so, and that is only once a year. Usually just pull a small 5x8 with an atv, so that might be 1000 tops. I've loaded that bed down pretty good though, overloaded a couple of times, no problems from that though.
Last edited by jntibs; Feb 18, 2009 at 07:42 PM.
funny this thread pops up today, last night my truck started running like complete crap. Had me a good tune-up done today and runs like a champ now!
Only thing to break on mine was my drivers side window motor, of course it broke in the DOWN postion with a HUGE rainstorm blowing in but thats besides the point.
Only thing to break on mine was my drivers side window motor, of course it broke in the DOWN postion with a HUGE rainstorm blowing in but thats besides the point.
I have 82,000 miles and have no major complaints. I bought the truck new. I had to have the brake pads, rotors (front hubs attached on my 4x2) and some other things replaced all the way around to the tune of $1300.00 at about 30K mi. I had a leak in the 3rd brake light, and the drivers window control module had to be replaced. The e-brake expander rusted open and had to be replaced after a month of fighting with the dealership, and a call to Ford World HQ (amazing how the level of customer service goes up when you call FWHQ). I think that's it. Everything else is fluids, filters, and mods. I think I am coming up on some front end work....but it happens. I still love my truck! I need to post a pic since the new topper, Hella 500's, rear shackle 2" drop, and Code3 mini lightbar.
Last edited by Drumdog; Mar 20, 2009 at 02:30 AM.


