OK guy, gal's did my plugs for the first time myself 85,000 miles
Before I was going to have my shop do it then I found out 650.00 bucks
NOT!!!!! well truthfuly not that bad at all it took me 3 hours and I took my time I used Aero Kroil and I have to say it worked like a charm i let them set for about 20 or 30 mins in the hole , also my truck was cold did not start it or warm at all . I did pick up that tool on ebay for 50.00 bucks but did not need it , I did not have to remove the fule rail I know some guys did the hardest one to get to was passenger side rear but over all not that bad . Some where hard to turn so I'd make a 1/4 turn back let it sit for a min I want to say 6 of them where realy hard to turn but they broke lose and came right out . I used Champion Double platinum part number 7989 I order 9 of them and good thing I did one was bad . I know not everyone is a fan of Champion neather was I but I saw a video on you tube and gave them a shot
Well anyway I hope ford has not scared everyone about the plugs just dont rush it thanks John

 

Nice job on getting the plugs changed yourself with 100% success! I hope those Champions don't give you any problems but beware that they have given many lots of problems and some have had to pull them out in a matter of weeks. At least if you have to change them you are over the learning curve!

 

Congratulations! My 06 is at 80K - where are you and how much do you want to change mine??

:-)

 

Just bought my 05 F150 with the 5.4L with 70K, so the first thing I did what get those original plugs out of there. After reading all the advice here and the various Ford TSBs. Here is what I decided to do.

1. Used a Duralube engine cleaner product at double strength for the week before I pulled them.

2. Used a torque wrench to try and crack the first plug. 30ft/lb, 35ft/lb, 40ft/lb... Nothing. And then somewhere around 45ft/lb, pop it broke free... Intact. It came loose before I could crack it the initial 1/8 to 1/4 turn to try and add the carb cleaner. By the way I used the OTC 6900 spark plug socket which is just perfect for the job. I highly recommend one.

3. The next four plugs came out without soaking as well.

4. Plug #4 (closest to the passenger was a bear to get to, had to remove the computer from the firewall. When I finally got to the plug, it was loose. Not even finger tight. Looked like it might have rust, on it as well, and maybe some thermal issues. Come to think of it, the truck was idling just a bit rough before...

5. The last two plugs #2, #3 were really tight and I chickened out and sprayed some carb cleaner and let them sit for 15 mins (without turning them at all, so I don't know how much good the soaking really did). They finally popped loose and came out intact as well.

6. I Put anti-seize on the new SP-507 MC plugs, $7.99ea from Kragen online, and now I am back in business.

Total time about 2.5 hrs. The truck was at ambient temp about 65 deg F. The plugs were definitely beginning to build up deposits that would have been much more formidable in another 20-30K miles. I'm glad I got them out at 70K

Did the initial $20 for the Duralube fuel system cleaner make any difference? It said it would help with combustion chamber deposits, but in the end, I'll never know. I look at it as cheap insurance. It might have helped. Might not.

Total cost: Spark Plugs $70 online, Cleaner/grease/anti-sieze $40, Magnetic pickup tool $4 (used it several times), OTC Socket $25. Knowing that this job SHOULD be worry free next time, Priceless...

I went slow and steady and had pretty good luck. But don't get me wrong. If I had 100K on the truck and had not presoaked the plugs, this story would have had a much different ending. I think changing them at 70K or less is a very good idea.

ps: I didn't buy the broken spark plug extraction tool before attempting the job. I think not having that tool made me extra careful along the way...

Thank you to all who have gone before and shared their wisdom. Ain't the Internet great? Thank you, Al Gore.