Whats the good and bad / Ford F-150 w 4.6 [Archive] - NAXJA Forums -::- North American XJ Association

Ray H

March 8th, 2009, 18:25

Ive been truck shopping for some time now but not real serious about it until yesterday when I test drove an F-150 that I liked. Im looking at an 06 F-150, 4X4, reg cab, 8' bed w/4.6. Its your basic work truck in very good shape (ie: like new) with just 22000 miles on it. I dont need nor do I want all the frills like power windows, carpet or leather, ect.
The KBB on this truck is $15300 retail, the dealer wants $14500, I think I'll offer $13500.
The truck will be used mostly for commuting, occationally hauling construction material, sometimes for road trips and camping, every once in a while for towing up to 4000lbs, usually less than 2500lbs. I need a bed big enough for two people to sleep comfortably on road trips and camping (I'll be getting a fiberglass cap for this purpose).
Whats the good, bad and ugly of the newer (04-08) F150s? Hows that 4.6 with the automatic hold up?

wolfpackjeeper

March 8th, 2009, 18:58

Good: It's a truck
Bad: It's a Ford Truck

The only good Ford is a 15 year old Ford. If it will last that long it will last forever

alex22

March 8th, 2009, 19:27

Ray H

March 8th, 2009, 19:54

Spark plugs are a nightmare to replace, they usually break when you try to remove them. If you do a quick google search for "06 F-150 spark plug" you can see it.
offer them 12000 and tell them you want a new set of spark plugs installed. If they say no give em a day or two to think about it, trucks aren't selling too good right now. Atleast in this area.

Most of the info Ive been reading on this problem is for the 5.4 engine. The TSB Ford issued on the spark plug issue is for the 5.4 only. Ive seen little evidence of it being a problem with the 4.6.
I did read where the 4.6 would occationally fire a plug out, again this has been a bigger issue with the 5.4 and the V10.

This truck is on a dealer lot, it was a trade in for a new vehicle. I seriously doubt they will take 12000 for it. Its difficult enough to move new vehicles, the last thing they will do is undercut someones trade in and lose a sale on the new vehicle. Point being, I bet they paid at least 12000 for it.

wolfpackjeeper

March 8th, 2009, 20:00

the 4.6 is a pain in the butt to change as well. Actually any new ford with more than 4 cylinders is a pain in the butt to change the sparkplugs. Just the way they setup the bay.

Ray H

March 8th, 2009, 20:33

the 4.6 is a pain in the butt to change as well. Actually any new ford with more than 4 cylinders is a pain in the butt to change the sparkplugs. Just the way they setup the bay.

No doubt they are hard to get to, half the engine is under the dash.
The problem I was referring to (i took it Alex was also referring to) was the problem with the sparkplugs breaking during removal. From what Ive read this problem seems to be isolated to 3 valve engines that use extended plugs.

CanMan

March 8th, 2009, 22:10

No doubt they are hard to get to, half the engine is under the dash.
The problem I was referring to (i took it Alex was also referring to) was the problem with the sparkplugs breaking during removal. From what Ive read this problem seems to be isolated to 3 valve engines that use extended plugs.

Yup. We've done a few 5.4's at work. PITA.

I think we've seen 1 4.6 with the plug issue though.

Ray H

March 8th, 2009, 22:48

CanMan,
Whats the real deal with the Tritons shooting sparkplugs out of the engine? Is this an issue that one should be concerned with, is it a maintenance issue, can it be avoided by using the proper torque?

kujito

March 9th, 2009, 09:43

The front suspension isn't real strong. Went to the top of Saxon Mtn. to work on a cell site in a rental/loaner '05 F-150 while the shop truck was down. Came back with a few things bent under there. Granted, the road up is pretty tough, but both Fords(one F-250) we took up there came back broken/bent. I know a couple contractors who love 'em though. Great for hauling/towing around town. The ABS on my last bosses truck chatters like mad on the ice/snow. It stays where it should and stops fine, just a little disconcerting.

alex22

March 9th, 2009, 18:42

At work I don't always know what the cylinder heads are off of, I just have to fix them. I wanted to let you know that that particular engine design has had its fair share of issues with spark plug design. Just wanted to let you know what you might be getting yourself into.

A guy I know just bought a newer F150 and loves it, said it rides great and has all the bells and whistles. I did some reading up on the 06 truck heads and it looks like if you take your time and do it right the spark plugs just might come out in one piece.

~Alex

igotanxj

March 10th, 2009, 08:49

Its a ford truck, you can't go wrong. They haven't been the best selling truck for the last 30 years because theyre pretty.

kujito

March 10th, 2009, 08:55

Not 'cause they're pretty, they've got better fleet sales managers/programs. If you're outfitting a shop, there's no better deal.

wolfpackjeeper

March 10th, 2009, 09:04

Not 'cause they're pretty, they've got better fleet sales managers/programs. If you're outfitting a shop, there's no better deal.

bingo

I am also pretty sure that the sales numbers count program vehicles that have not been delivered to the end user yet, but are already under contract to be delivered. Kind of like when they say a book has gone bestseller, it means that retailers have bought the books for their shelves.

Darky

March 10th, 2009, 10:09

When I worked at Hertz, we rented a 06 F150 ext cab to a guy. Hertz doesn't allow towing, but he towed his boat with it, broke the rear axle. I don't know what the circumstances were or if the boat was even within the ratings for the truck or not. His truck was a GMC 2500. So maybe the trailer with boat was too much for a half ton.

rogersjeep

March 10th, 2009, 10:30

I drive an 07 and it has no balls.Its slower than my XJ.
But it pulls my 16'' with my TJ on it with out to much complaning. Except for when i get to the hill country and I have to floor it to keep up the the superduty's that the other guys have (2nd gear and 5,000 rpms) oh yeah.

Ray H

March 14th, 2009, 19:56

Well its a done deal. I brought home my "new" 06 4X4 F150 w/4.6. Hopefully Ive got many good years with this truck. I was apprehensive about buying a vehicle when all my other vehicles are working well but the truck looks so right sitting in the driveway, Im sure I did good. Now the hard part, trying to talk myself into selling the XJ, its like a family member. We dont need the money (wont get squat for it anyway) but it is redundant now. I wish I could talk my wife into getting rid of her TJ instead of the XJ but I can't go there.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f13/bnrhuffman/F150.jpg

wolfpackjeeper

March 14th, 2009, 20:14

looks good man. Keep the XJ, especially if you do not have any monetary need to sell.

SeansBlueXJ

March 14th, 2009, 20:33

Keep the XJ, look at it this way. Your telling your XJ friends about the Ford you just bought. You will miss it (and us) too much.

Plus look at it this way. Now that the XJ is supplemental you can build it bigger and play harder with it.

Darky

March 14th, 2009, 21:02

Sell the XJ? You just got a towrig for it!

:D

Ray H

March 14th, 2009, 21:08

My wife and I now have five vehicles (if you count the motorcycle). That seems excessive for two people. They all fill a particular niche except the XJ. The XJ has been the most versatile vehicle Ive ever had. The problem with it now is that all of the jobs the XJ did can be accomplished just as well or better by the new truck and the TJ.

Oh well, I dont know what the insurance for the truck is going to run yet. If its cheaper than I expect maybe the XJ can stay with us a little longer.

Ray H

March 14th, 2009, 21:13

Sell the XJ? You just got a towrig for it!

:D

Shhhhhhh !
Thats my little secret from the spousal unit. Dont think for a second this stuff doesnt go through my head.

wolfpackjeeper

March 15th, 2009, 07:08

Me and my wife have 5 vehicles...

MetViper

March 15th, 2009, 19:17

I used to have a 2000 F-150 with a 4.6 and an automatic. I loved it. Sure, it wasn't the fasted or baddest, but it did what I wanted it to do. It was fun and reliable. It was my DD, and didn't get wheeled much. Like was said earlier, there's a reason F Series trucks have been the best selling vehicle for the past 30 years. I currently have a 1994 F-250 with over 265,000 miles on it and aside from a slow oil leak it runs and drives just fine.

Ray H

March 15th, 2009, 19:43

Me and my wife have 5 vehicles...

Insurance must be cheaper in FL. This truck will probably push ours up over $3000 per year. Full coverage on 3 vehilces and liability on 2.
Auto insurance is the largest single bill we have besides fuel and food and we've never had a claim or a ticket in the 12 years weve been with this company.

goodburbon

March 15th, 2009, 19:54

I dunno what's wrong with them , but I just pulled 2 out of the mud this afternoon.

Silver60th

March 15th, 2009, 23:23

I test drove one of the 4.6's when we were looking for a truck for my sister. They aren't bad, but they seem a little underpowered for the weight of the truck. Guess I'm used to the 5.4 in our other ford though. :-/

Ray H

March 16th, 2009, 15:12

Here's something strange. My XJ, the best vehicle Ive ever had. I bought it brand new 13 years and 146000 miles ago, has always started for me, never let me down. The very same one I was going to replace with my new truck that I bought two days ago.........
Would not start this morning. In 13 years it has never failed to start and the day after I buy a replacement it decides to crank over but wont fire. It just bucks, spudders and shakes but wont run.
I think it knows. I was questioning selling it before but know, how can I, it knows.

SeansBlueXJ

March 16th, 2009, 15:17

It does indeed. Keep her.

kujito

March 16th, 2009, 19:30

Nice truck.
You can NEVER sell the XJ now!

Ray H

March 16th, 2009, 20:27

Nice truck.
You can NEVER sell the XJ now!

I guess not, it wont run.
Its dark and raining so I havent done much with it. I did pull the codes. The code shows it has a broken heart:tears:.

Well...it actually throws a PCM code 53 and a couple of others. (in a way the PCM is the heart I guess)

winterbeater

March 16th, 2009, 21:32

Ray H

March 16th, 2009, 21:47

It doesn't want to leave. Just a suggestion on the 4.6 based on my Crown Vic. It would be a good idea to pull the plugs sooner instead of later and put anti-sieze on the threads and dielectric grease in the COPs.

Thats the plan. Its only got about 22000 on it now. Im thinking around 50000 i'll pay a shop to pull them, replace them and anti sieze them.
Dont these plugs have extentions on them that need anti sieze also to keep them from sticking in the heads and breaking off?

Ray H

March 18th, 2009, 16:40

I guess not, it wont run.
Its dark and raining so I havent done much with it. I did pull the codes. The code shows it has a broken heart:tears:.

Well...it actually throws a PCM code 53 and a couple of others. (in a way the PCM is the heart I guess)

Update on my XJ. One day later.
I got off work today at a decent time and it wasnt raining so I spent some time with the XJ. I had a little talk to her, turned the key and it started right up. I shit you not, Yesterday morning she just kicked and spuddered, now she just starts up like nothing happened. I had a little talk with her after work this evening and told her we would try to make it work. I told her I had to drop comprehensive insurance but I would find a place in the driveway for her I may not drive her as much but I promised to drive her enough to keep the battery charged and the fluids circulated.
I think we will be ok for now.

Silver60th

March 18th, 2009, 16:52

XD Seems she understood. Just don't forget about her or she will leave you again.

rag

March 19th, 2009, 05:21

Ray H

March 19th, 2009, 14:33

http://www.mustangcollective.com/cpg/albums/userpics/plugs.jpg

The area that is past the threads (heading away from the ceramic) is the part that seizes inside the head. In this photo you can see the corrosion/build up somewhat clear, the threads also like to seize themselves quite nicely.

Thats why I dont plan to wait for the 100000 mile tuneup schedule to change mine. Actually Im going to pay someone to do it so i dont have to worry with it. I'll give them a brand new tube of antiseize to spread on the threads and that big stupid electrode tip.

FordGuy

March 19th, 2009, 14:39

Thats why I dont plan to wait for the 100000 mile tuneup schedule to change mine. Actually Im going to pay someone to do it so i dont have to worry with it. I'll give them a brand new tube of antiseize to spread on the threads and that big stupid electrode tip.

There is also a updated plug.