I bought my 04' 1/2 ton supercrew FX4 in April of this year, It had 134,000 miles on it. I have owned fords before, bought a 1994 1/2 ton flair side with the 300 inline 6 banger brand new off the lot and drove it for 12 years. Any way I cashed in my 401K and paid cash for Black Betty, I have bought 3 crew cab Dodges in the last 10 years, liked em' but I think the look of the fords is better than all the others. I bought the truck and it was all stock, but stock for an FX4 is far from a plain pick-up. From the perfect leather seats and entire interior including enough space for me the little lady and the three boys I have to say I love this truck.
Since I bought my S/C FX4 I have managed to install a 2" Supreme Suspensions leveling kit, a Edge Evolution Programer, and after flying home to Kansas today from my 14/14 rotating oil field job in West Virginia, I opened the box that was waiting for me. I ordered a Spectre cold air induction online last week and was dying to get it put on my ride. I removed the stock filter box and tubing that go into the drivers side fender, its a bulking plastic POS and Im really not sure how my 5.4 Triton could even get any air thru that thing. I have had some idleing problems, so after removing the stock system I cleaned the throttle body and butterfly valve flapper, had some build up and was keeping my RPM's from staying steady while at a stop light.

 

The Spectre CAI went on with no problems, I managed to install it by myself, including removing the stock system and all while sucking down some cold beers. Finally I was ready to turn the key and see how she was gonna sound. With the top plate installed on the box over the filter there really wasnt much difference in the sound. Got the woman to jump in the truck with me and we headed up to O'Reilly's for a bottle of octane booster, and on the way I had my Edge Evolution on stage 2, put my foot in the throttle and the truck came to life, sounded great. I got the octane booster and filled up with gas 91 octane and added the bottle of booster, set the Edge Evolution to stage 3 and we went for a little cruise, with the cool temp in Kansas, about 35 this evening, ol' Black Betty was ready to go.
She ran better than she has since I got her, the Triton was really breathing and the sound of the Spectre CAI was amazing, deep throaty growl. With the programmer on stage 3 it shifts so hard that it makes the belt cherp when it shifts. Not sure if the idler arm is getting weak or even if there is a way to tighten it to stop this from happening (anyone got a clue or an answer for me?) but I love the way it sounded and the added performace. I plan on adding some type of dual exhaust, some black Harly replacment headlights, and 20" XD Spy rims with some aggressive 33" tires and I believe this is gonna be the truck I have always wanted.

 

Any body got any recomendations for a good aggressive tire thats not to loud on the highway, and a good brand of exhaust, not to loud, but I want to have a little rumble to add to the growl of the CAI.
I love this truck and it has made me a FORD man for life, Im running Royal Purple 0/20 with a K&N oil filter, any other 5.4 owners out there running that in theirs?
If any one has some advice on what exhaust I should look into hit me up.

Happy FX4ing, I'm ready to go see how Black Betty is gonna do in the snow so let's all hope for a White Christmas !!

 

Do NOT run anything less that 5-20 in the 5.4L, it is too light. I used a 0-20 Amsoil in my 07 for a short while and started to get a phaser knock when hot. Went back to the 5-20 and has been fine ever since. Always use a MC or better oil filter also (NO FRAM !!!)

 

Thats good to know, Im fixing to change it and swap back to a 5/20, What brand you running? Im thinking of just going with the M/C synthetic blend and a good filter with the anti drain back valve....

 

Also I'd get that CAI off of there unless you get a custom tune for it since these trucks run lean

 

That would be a OEM Mortorcraft.

 

In terms of the tires I run Cooper Zeon LTZ. Good mix between all-terrain and street looking tires. There hasn't been a situation that I've been stuck in with them.

 

mud tire-toyo mud terrain. super quiet and great life. nitto trail grappler isnt far behind.
all terrain-bfg just because of looks over the toyo at and nitto terra grappler.