Help With Basic Maintenance
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4
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Help With Basic Maintenance
ok so if you dont already know im pretty much a new driver.
i've had my license for about 9 months and my F150 for about 3.
its a hammy down from my dad and dont get me wrong i love it but i just went over 200,000 miles and i know that if i want to keep it running theres gonna be some work to put in.
now im not looking to completely overhaul the engine and be set for life.
i'd just like to have it last another 4 years through college.
soooooooo with all that said
what are some basic maintenance upgrades i can do for this to keep it running strong. im not looking to spend a fortune but i do want whats best for my truck.
so whats some value upgrades that are most important?
any help would be appreciated.
oh ya its a 1999 F150 with no previous upgrades and 200,750 miles.
thanks!
i've had my license for about 9 months and my F150 for about 3.
its a hammy down from my dad and dont get me wrong i love it but i just went over 200,000 miles and i know that if i want to keep it running theres gonna be some work to put in.
now im not looking to completely overhaul the engine and be set for life.
i'd just like to have it last another 4 years through college.
soooooooo with all that said
what are some basic maintenance upgrades i can do for this to keep it running strong. im not looking to spend a fortune but i do want whats best for my truck.
so whats some value upgrades that are most important?
any help would be appreciated.
oh ya its a 1999 F150 with no previous upgrades and 200,750 miles.
thanks!
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 25,641
Likes: 19
From: MI
First, you need to find out what motor is in truck and post it 
2nd , don't worry about "up-grading" - up-dating is all you need to be concerned with @ that mileage.
3rd - best thing you can do for yourself is to purchase a Haynes or Chilton's service manual, that will teach you the basics.
2nd , don't worry about "up-grading" - up-dating is all you need to be concerned with @ that mileage.
3rd - best thing you can do for yourself is to purchase a Haynes or Chilton's service manual, that will teach you the basics.
Last edited by jbrew; May 16, 2008 at 11:35 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,688
Likes: 28
From: The Barbary Coast
You'd better be makin' a list, & checking it twice.
Ford Genuine Service will have a maintenance schedule. Just enter your VIN & mileage. First thing to do is do everything on that list. From lube, oil, & filter, to brakes, hoses, belts, transmission fluid, differential gear oil, clutch (if applicable), transfer case (if applicable), clean the MAF, PCV, EGR, water pump, fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, coolant flush......and the list goes on. First decide which items need immediate attention. Then decide if you want to upgrade, or replace with OEM parts. A good upgrade would be new brake rotor, caliper, and pad. I also recommend upgrading the shocks. Of course, spark plugs are controversial because some believe in sticking to Ford plugs and some like iridiums. Your air filter could be replaced with lesser quality filters (Fram), MotorCraft (Ford), a re-usable drop in replacement (K&N), or even a cold air intake. You may also be tempted to rip out that old exhaust and get headers, high flow cats, and a true dual system with glass packs.
Don't be afraid of some of these terms if they are new to you. You are young & computer literate. Use Google for colloquialisms like "glass pack muffler". The most important thing is to prioritize. Don't go putting on a new underdrive pulley and Gatorback belt if you really need brakes. Don't waste your time with a lift kit if your hoses are cracked and your radiator fluid taste like over-ripened pumpkin. Just kidding.
Don't go tasting your radiator fluid.
Ford Genuine Service will have a maintenance schedule. Just enter your VIN & mileage. First thing to do is do everything on that list. From lube, oil, & filter, to brakes, hoses, belts, transmission fluid, differential gear oil, clutch (if applicable), transfer case (if applicable), clean the MAF, PCV, EGR, water pump, fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, coolant flush......and the list goes on. First decide which items need immediate attention. Then decide if you want to upgrade, or replace with OEM parts. A good upgrade would be new brake rotor, caliper, and pad. I also recommend upgrading the shocks. Of course, spark plugs are controversial because some believe in sticking to Ford plugs and some like iridiums. Your air filter could be replaced with lesser quality filters (Fram), MotorCraft (Ford), a re-usable drop in replacement (K&N), or even a cold air intake. You may also be tempted to rip out that old exhaust and get headers, high flow cats, and a true dual system with glass packs.
Don't be afraid of some of these terms if they are new to you. You are young & computer literate. Use Google for colloquialisms like "glass pack muffler". The most important thing is to prioritize. Don't go putting on a new underdrive pulley and Gatorback belt if you really need brakes. Don't waste your time with a lift kit if your hoses are cracked and your radiator fluid taste like over-ripened pumpkin. Just kidding.
Don't go tasting your radiator fluid.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 25,641
Likes: 19
From: MI
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,688
Likes: 28
From: The Barbary Coast
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 25,641
Likes: 19
From: MI
Oh yea ???? Well here's a Tech's site - If you can get in
OASIS = http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdirs/new_ocodes/
Heres an excellent emissions trouble shooting site
FORD SCORPIO = http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/egrmonitor.htm
Anyone can google, but not anyone can find these
OASIS = http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdirs/new_ocodes/
Heres an excellent emissions trouble shooting site
FORD SCORPIO = http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/egrmonitor.htm
Anyone can google, but not anyone can find these
Last edited by jbrew; May 16, 2008 at 01:36 PM.