I have a 2004 FX4 scab and have 138,000 hard driving miles, stop-n-go work truck, not highway miles. I love my truck but can't see spending the money to pull the heads to change spark plugs. Who is the best to take it to, or should I trade it. I would feel guilty selling it to some one knowing that the plugs are an issue. The truck still looks good but the tran and diff have had some issues also. L-Wood is short for Lynwood. My freind call me L-Wood, I am not trying to be a rapper.

 

well thats actually bad. when it comes between ford and chevy i would have to say chevy lasts longer evn though i love ford. i had 270,000 miles on my chevy and only had to change the clutch out. and minor things. my 2006 f150 the trans went out twice the throttle body went out the windows went out and the abs sensors melted with 75,000 miles. and my 2010 f150 the wiring in the transmission melted and had to be replaced with 3000 miles. but depending on your job if i was you i would trade it in for something new.

 

My truck runs good and I can go in the woods with it since its already has small dents and scratches. My oldest just started college and my youngest (13) wants my FX4. With the cost of new trucks so high I really want to keep this one going. The spark plug issue is my main concern. Whats the worst case scenario $$ for a plug change.

 

Just do the maintenance... Have the truck gone through imo

 

Hmmm 130k those plugs are prbly nice and snug in there. they will probably all break too! hahah...

Mannn Id say worst worst case... If Ford does some messed up work like 1-2k... If everything goes smooth >$500

 

Ask your local dealers what they charge for plug changes, including any extra for broken plug extractions. The heads do NOT have to be pulled, everyone has (or SHOULD) have) extraction tools now.

The local dealer here gets $260 parts and labor, including 1 or 2 extractions. Additional extractions are billed at actual clock time at $80 an hour.

 

Seriously, you should take it to the Ford place that BlueJay used to have his changed out! No problemo according to him. Ask him about it???

 

It's a pretty long drive from GA to DFW.......or to here. There has to be some competent dealers that don't charge an arm and a leg to do it there.

 

Whats your alternative? Buying a new truck? Somehow I think thats going to be more expensive.

 

I would defiantly take to a ford dealer. Now that Ford is in the money, maybe one day I'll get a check for my extra expense. I've been using fuel additives which seen to make it run better. One of them is Yamaha "Ring Free" that cleans carbon.

I have three teenage boys that are out growing my scab backseat. Waiting on the true MPG numbers for the new engine line up. I'm getting 15 MPG now, going to a two wheel drive and v-6 maybe it will be worth the trade.

Thanks for all the advice. My truck also has the wrinkled rear doors that could not be fixed by the recall. It's a good work-woods truck.