I bought this new in '04 and haven't had any trouble out of it other than a few minor things like the window regulators going bad. The drivetrain has been perfect. It has about 122,000 miles on it now. I plan on going from Cincinnati out to Yellowstone, down to Denver and back to Cincinnati on vacation in July. Any reason why I should be worried about anything? Wheel bearing go out all of a sudden? Alternator die suddenly? I guess anything is possible and it's not possible to predict any type of failure. All I can say is it's been very good since I bought it and it's never had any problems that affected being able to drive it anywhere. All the problems have been very few and far between...and extremely minor stuff. 2004 F150 Lariat 4x4 Supercab with 5.4 V8 and 3.73 limited slip rear end.

I've had the fluid in the rear end replaced a few months ago along with the transfer case and front axle. I also had the tranny fluid flushed and replaced this year. I plan on sucking out the power steering fluid and replacing that too.

 

As long as all the maintenance items are on schedule. I'ld revisit brakes and crawl underneath and have someone wiggle the steering wheel and look at each joint at 122K before that trip and look at the universal joints in the driveline and any slip joints.

Also, just replied to anotther about a battery in an '04. In 2006 we took a 3 week 8K mile trip in the Mercury GM. It's an '01 and the battery was then 5 years old. I have had batteries just go "belly up" over night.

Even if still good (as mine was), I'ld replace it before it left you stranded in Yellowstone beside the roadway where you stopped to watch that grizzly eat on that elk hind quarter off in trhe field 100 yds away.

Keep the old one as a spare (I did), use it for portable power if still good, just don't rely on it so far from home.

 

Have you changed the spark plugs yet? If not, I'd get that ordeal out of the way.

 

X2 on this one and get a few miles on it after the plug change to make sure everything was done correctly.

I might also be tempted to pull the spare tire down and have a close look at the Fuel Pump Driver Module. If it shows any signs of cracking, I'd replace it.

 

I replaced the battery in 2010 with the best large Die Hard Sears sells.

I plan on putting new front rotors and pads before the trip as far as the brakes go.

I had the plugs replaced at around 75k miles if I remember right. Did this at the dealer. They didn't have any issues getting them out.

I plan on getting under the truck and giving it a general visual inspection for anything out of the ordinary. I need to check the pressure in the spare anyway....and lube all the things related to it so I can actually get it down if I need to :-) Including the lock plug in the tailgate. I've been keeping a bunch of Fluid Film on that.

 

Whoa! I'm glad you mentioned checking this. It's all cracked and corroded like crazy...but it still works, for now. I'll buy a new unit and replace it ASAP. Fuel pump driver module near spare tire...

 

i always carry some tools with me so if something does happen i can fix it myself and save the cost of an out of state stuck in the middle of nowhere repair. some repairs cant be made on the road. but some can. and nothing is more frustrating then paying labor for something you know you would have fixxed yourself if you had some tools with you. and pack the tools so they are easy to get and you dont have to empty you truck on the side of the road to get to them. if you engine light comes on, some parts stores offer free code scanning, take advantage of that. other than that, have a good and safe trip.

 

Glad I was able to be of some help. Yea, that one would have stopped you right in your tracks - like it did me. I've been driving for almost 40 years and never had to have a vehicle towed - until that bad boy went on my 2005.

 

Good catch on the FPDM. Can anyone say why in the world Ford does not pot this electronic module? It's not like they need to be able to work on it, it's an R&R part.

If it was potted, it wouldn't matter what got on/under it.

 

I'm going to get a new one at the dealer on Monday. Once I install it, I'm going to spray the crap out of it with Fluid Film. If you're familiar with Fluid Film, you know it doesn't dry out and it also does not conduct electricity. Should be all set once the new one is installed and sprayed down with Fluid Film. After seeing it the way it is now, I'm surprised it even works. I'm glad I saw this because if it went bad, I'd have no idea what the problem was and that would have been a trip to the dealer for sure. Good thing I got it now instead of when I was on the road!

 

Look at this thread and consider either using longer 6mm bolts or long studs or the kit pictured and space that rascally FPDM out away from the frame crossmember some, let air pass behind it and not let the aluminum set against the steel. All the coatings won't help alleviate stresses to the housing by the uneven surface.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...placement.html

 

If I understand correctly, Ford doesn't sell the old style anymore...they sell it with the studs that keep it off the metal. I'll sak the parts dept to be sure when I get it.

 

Here's my fuel pump driver module after getting it off the truck today. I'm surprised the inside wasn't nasty...but the aluminum crumbled apart when I started unbolting it. One bolt was totally fused to the aluminum shell and twisted with the bolt.

 

You caught it just in time.

 

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/1145633367_JC3FD-XL.jpg

Well Lariat, it's easy to see it's not all encapsulated aint it? It's a wonder it still worked.

I'ld love to disect one now just to see why they seem to work after such exposure?