100,000 Miles

[Stephen]

Okay guys, we're fast approaching 100,000 miles, and I want to do a full overhaul on the truck.

Spark plugs and wires, what are the best kind?

We will be replacing all the filters, going to go with a K&N type air filter, what is the best kind there also.

Will be replacing the IAC valve to fix the "bottle top whistling" problem.

Will be taking it in to Ford to have the ball joints replaced on at least one side, but probably both, and to have the rotors turned.

I could have Ford do all this, but I think it'd be a fun father and son undertaking, none of it is all that difficult.

Any other maintenance type items we should replace, etc. Anything else we shound have the dealer look at while its in for the ball joints?

Thanks gang.

 

[jwild4x4]

Everyone on this site seems to love the Bosche Platinum 4+ plugs. I have them, and they've worked great. The gap is not really adjustable and comes pre adjusted, so they're nice if you don't want to worry about that.

There is much debate on this site also about which is the best Intake filter kit. KKM or K&N. Some claim that K&N lets some dirt through, but if you search for K&N and my name (jwild4x4) you should find a post which I copied from a tech at K&N addressing this issue) Aparently they used K&N filters on the Apaches in Desert Storm... so. It's a personal preference really. I have the K&N and noticed a pretty reasonable power gain for the money, and plus when you punch it. It sounds AWESOME!

Ford did a pretty good job with the OEM ignition wires and coil. In my opinion its a waste of money to upgrade to a "performance ignition" as you won't see much gain. It might be worthwhile to just replace the wires with some OEM's from fordpartsnetwork.com. What do you think, guys (and girls for that matter)?

You might want to check your accessory drive belt or "serpentine" belt for serious lengthwise cracks or missing ribs. Small cracks running across the belt are acceptable, but any ford dealer would instantly attempt to sell you a new one. (they just did that to me last week) They're only $29 from fordpartsnetwork.com and would be fairly easy to replace with some help from your son. Ford would charge upwards of $100 to replace it.

Other than that, you can change all your fluids, replace fuel filter... the list goes on. Have fun though. That's what matters right? Oh, and not getting ripped off by the dealer is a good thing too.

 

[fixer]

DOH!!! i'm sorry, i said something about replacing the ball joints yerself, but i was thinking about tie-rod ends... mea culpa.

the air filter depends on how much work you want to do. K&N has a drop in filter for about $40 and with the KKM you remove half of the airbox, and some other minor mods.

when you have the rotors turned, you can upgrade to carbon metalic pads, about $40 at AutoZone.

 

[leenjen]

i'm not a mechanic, but from my experience, 9.3mm spark plug wires are a great investment. when i changed from the old 7mm to 9.3mm, i was amazed. i know they are passive and cant actually improve performance, just help to bring it back to where it was. and they perform that way longer than the 7 or 8mm.
off the line performance was much better than before the change, and my MPG went up a lot.

 

[Stephen]

Okay guys, thanks for the tips!