The F150 as of late

[dixie_boysles]

Well I have owned the F150 for about 6 months now, so far so good, but like with almost any used vehicle you have the small issues to fix. I am enjoying the truck and LOVE the features and tallness of it.

To date I have done the following:

1) Brand new custom cat-back exhaust with Flo-Pro Di/Do muffler
2) New 275/65R20 Nitto Terra Grappler All Terrain tires (34x11x20)
3) 6000k Hi/lo HID headlights (I wont get into it with you, I dont care if you dont like them, until you make my truck payment, I'll do what I want)
4) 6000k HID Fog Lights
5) 2010 F150 Chrome Two Hooks
6) Two Hella 500FFs behind the grille

I have had to repair the following:

1) New Exhaust Manifold of passenger side
2) New Dorman window regulator on passenger front door
3) Remove door switches and clean contacts

And finally yet to do, replace the timing chain tensioners. I am actually going to replace all of the timing components while I am in there though. That includes:

1) New timing chains
2) New Tensioners
3) New Guides
4) New Cam Phasers
5) New Arms
6) new sprocket

I dont have to, all I need is tensioners as far as I know, BUT it takes alot of work to get the front timing cover off on a 5.4 so I may as well make it all new for about $500.

Like I said, love the truck, but still have to address these few things. Its just a stupid chain rattle on startup because of the tensioner, but I dont want it to cause problems, so I need to get it done!

no on to the most recent pics after a wash & wax

Me next to a stock 06 F150, notice my height because of my 2.5" level, 34" tires and 20s

Getting ready to replace the exhaust manifold (took 7 hours!)

New Tow Hooks:

HIDs

Hellas

Interior (I LOVE my leather), and yes I do have floor mats for the truck

 

[adsm08]

Only 7 hours for an exhaust manifold, that ain't bad. I'd save yourself some money and don't bother replacing the chains though. They don't really go bad ever.

Be careful when you order parts too. IIRC the phasers come with new sprockets on them, but the cam sprockets can be bought separately as well.

 

[dixie_boysles]

thanks for the tips

 

[shane96ranger]

I was looking at my 4.6 the other day and though the manifold gasket looked like it was 2 pieces. Looking at your pic, I'm gathering that is true. How big of a PITA is it to replace the gasket?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I was looking at my 4.6 the other day and though the manifold gasket looked like it was 2 pieces. Looking at your pic, I'm gathering that is true. How big of a PITA is it to replace the gasket?

It greatly depends on what studs you break or are already broken.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

That truck looks beautiful!

 

[dixie_boysles]

I was looking at my 4.6 the other day and though the manifold gasket looked like it was 2 pieces. Looking at your pic, I'm gathering that is true. How big of a PITA is it to replace the gasket?

yeah the gasket is two pieces. and it is a big PITA because on the passenger side, the starter is in the way, the strut tower is in the way (Thank God for finetooth flex head ratchet and a gearwrench). You are literally working blind to get out the studs behind the strut tower. Luckily all of my studs came out fine. Its a good idea to spray the studs with PB blast for a good three days before changing out

You have to unbolt motor from motor mount on that side, jack it up about 1/2" or so, undo all the studs and pray you dont break one (if you break one behind strut tower, I think you would have to pull motor almost just to get broken stud out). Then I had to cut my pipe right past the converters (I have true duals) because the ONLY hole the manifold would come out of is where the flange sits and We couldnt even pry it out of the way. the top bolt to the starter sucks to get to. The bottom front three studs suck. and soo on.

With all that said, and all that hassle, it was still worth the $189 it cost me to do it myself. dealerships are CRAZY expensive on changing them. I went ahead and replace my manifold too just in case it may have warped. Since I was in there and had the old one off, it was worth the extra money to replace it too. The Dorman manifold comes with the gasket and all

 

[shane96ranger]

Thanks for the info. Mine is the previous generation, but I'm sure it's similar. I guess I'll hold out and wait until it gets worse. I can only hear a faint tick when it's cold for 2 or 3 minutes, then it goes away.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Thanks for the info. Mine is the previous generation, but I'm sure it's similar. I guess I'll hold out and wait until it gets worse. I can only hear a faint tick when it's cold for 2 or 3 minutes, then it goes away.

Your truck has a completely different setup.

I have never done mine but my brother has done his '97 twice one side and once on the other, he does it all day at work so it is no big deal to him but I don't think he has ever had to monkey with the engine mounts or cut his exhaust (he has true duals as well)

The first time he did it he was in college and just put new studs and gaskets in it, the second time a year and a half ago he had the second one surfaced.

 

[4.0B2]

beautiful truck. I love it. Makes me jealous really...

now HID convert your Hella's to!

 

[shane96ranger]

Your truck has a completely different setup.

Yeah, this looks a lot easier than what Dixie described. This is a view from the fender well. All bolts seem fairly accessible. But I can see where studs are breaking here.

 

[adsm08]

It greatly depends on what studs you break or are already broken.

Don't forget how many taps the last idiot broke off in the head too. We just replaced a $1000 head on a V10 Excursion because it had cracked manifolds and the last guy who tried to fix it broke a tap off in one of the holes.

 

[adsm08]

Thanks for the info. Mine is the previous generation, but I'm sure it's similar. I guess I'll hold out and wait until it gets worse. I can only hear a faint tick when it's cold for 2 or 3 minutes, then it goes away.

Just start saving and get a new pair. Ford didn't put donuts in and so the stupid things warp when they get hot and the exhaust starts to move around. You might just have a bad gasket, but for as bad as they are I'd replaced them.

Just my two cents though, I know even the cheap ones are expensive (the cheap ones are also junk).

 

[Twister]

Nice truck

My dad had an 08 for 2 years, i loved that truck, but sadly it was leased

 

[dixie_boysles]

holy crap I need to update this thread!!

New mods since last update:

New Meats--275/65/20 Nitto Terra Grapplers (34"x11"

new 09+ Mirrors with heat/signal/power etc...

New Chrome Turn Signal Bulbs

Before:

After:

And the truck clean for good measure