I have some question and seeking opinions. Figured I'd do them all in one post to save space.

1. I was at the parts store found out that Haynes skipped the 2003 F150 manuals. They have up to 2002, skip 2003, then start up again with new 2004 manuals. I didn't see a Chiltons manual for 2003's either at their website. Does anyone make a repair manual for the 2003's?

2. Springboarding off the first question, I have about 38K on the truck. I was hoping to find something in writing suggesting the maintenance intervals. Specifically the spark plugs. The 2003 Ford Scheduled Maintenance Guide says do the plugs at 100K. That seems like a long stretch on OEMs. Has anyone done a plug change on a 2003 5.4? If so, at what mileage and what did the plugs look like? Whenever my times comes up, is there an easy way to do it? I did a search and read about the 2004 horrors. Hopefully they don't apply to the 2003!!???

3. The tranny service is also going to be done. I have the 4R70 series tranny (U code). The owners manual says Mercon V only. I've got Mark Kovalsky's step-by-step sheet on doing the 4R70 (www.ford-trucks.com) Does anyone have an opinion about when to change the filter? He says Ford does not show any tranny filter change interval. He recommends every other fluid change. Does that sound correct?

Thanks.....John

 

Good question , I have both manuals that go to 2002. You can try here as well

http://www.alldatadiy.com/

 

I just changed mine yesterday. After reading all of the horrors on this site and a few others, I dreaded it. It took me 3 hours from start to finish. So, I am VERY happy with how it went. Just like you will read many places, it is all about the tools!

My 2003 has 48,000 on it. the plugs still looked pretty good. Tan in color (like they should) BUT seemed to have an excessive smell of raw fuel (maybe running rich?) That was the last maint. item that needed done for now. I'll try to hit the dyno this week to datalog and have Troyer look at the a/f's.

 

Did you come over the top or can it be done from underneath?? I have access to a lift.

What was your tool list??

Thanks....John

 

Plugs on the 03 V8's are only accessible from the top. I've got 85K on my 03 4.6 and I've now replaced plugs twice. Originals went south about 55K, replaced with Bosch (DO NOT USE THESE) and just replaced them a few weeks back because of missing. All the plugs I replaced looked fine when I took them out. My 2 cents on plug replacement do the drivers side first, the rest are easy. Just don't try to rush.

Try picking up one of those CDR copies of the manual off ebay. I had one for my 98 and it was fine.

If you've got the owners manual, it should show you frequency for maintenance.

Good luck

 

What's a "CDR"?

I've got the owners manual and the associated Ford 2003 Maintenance Schedule Manual. The owners manual doesn't tell you squat! You have to refer to the MSM. The 2003 MSM says 100K for plugs. 100,000 miles on a set of OEM's seems high, but then again this my first 2003 vehicle.

Thanks.....John