and here the v8s have a reputation for being hard to change plugs on

Only the 3v 5.4. The 4.6 doesn't have any of those plug issues!

I was under the impression the plug change was a pain on both

access wise at least

The fuel rail is kind of in the way on the drivers side of the 4.6, but with some attachments and an elbow, I managed. Changed the plugs on a friends 05 4.6 f150 and my dads mustang gt with the 4.6. I'd take it over my 4.2 to be honest.

doesn't sound too bad then

I drove it for maybe the third time this year. Finished the install on my *******'s lid. Installed JW Speaker replacement led fogs, very nice beam pattern on these. Swapped out my rear door panels.

New ac compressor, etc. $1200.00! Then noticed on my scanguage my alternator was only putting out around 13.0 volts instead of the 14.5 it normally read. Went back and had the stystem checked. It's not failing yet, but at the very end of its life. It's a reman anyway.

Ordered a brand new (not reman) from rockauto. Was gonna go with acdelco as they were the only brand I'd even heard of. However, it was going to take a while. Went with Remy as rockauto said they're a very good name, have been making alternators for over 90 years and the unit has a lifetime warranty. I'll put it in when it shows up early next week. $133.00

Then, I'll finally do the front suspension that I'd planned on before all the happened. All the parts are just waiting to be installed.

Most expensive week I've owned the truck and I've had it since new.

This is what the tests showed for my charging system. Their test states my battery is a 650cca but it's actually a 750cca motorcraft.

He said the alternator isn't bad yet, but it's right at the end of its life.

Nice man! What did you use for the cut? Drill and a Dremel?

ouch XL!! that's quite the hit in the wallet!!

Expensive day huh? I wish I could have done the work myself. Ac stuff just is not my thing. You need a whole machine and all that.

Oh well, I'll throw in the new alternator this week and finally do the suspension too. Just spent $500 on coilovers, ball joints and tierods. I'll get to that after the alternator.

Even so, had the truck since new, at almost 100k and haven't had to drop much cash on it. The new parts have a lifetime warranty. Engine and transmission run great! And that's 100k on my original clutch (manual transmission).

well that's good. take care of most f-150s, they'll take care of you.

I gotta say mine has been pretty good too. for a 4500 dollar truck. had to spend 800 recently on ball joints but most of that was labor, and the front end on that truck's taken a beating.

My passenger front window regulator went out the other day. Got a new one with the power window motor. Was not to hard to change just so hot in Texas was dripping with sweat while changing it out.

Ordered 2.5 leveling kit and monroe quick struts. Might dig around the front end some to see if it needs any other front end parts before tearing it apart.

What year is the truck? I've found the quickstruts run a little firm. I have them with a 1" spacer now. 2.5" might get you a bit nose high with those.

I have a 2004.