When you post a question please tell us about your truck so we dont have to guess. We need to know the year of it, 4x2 or 4x4, what size engine, 7700 lb package or not, approx how many miles and anything else that might help
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Q: I'm getting terrible gas mileage on my truck. What's wrong?
A: These trucks are notorious for poor gas mileage. Unless you’ve noticed a drastic decrease in your normal mileage, your low MPG is probably not related to a mechanical fault. The fuel economy numbers on the window sticker are determined by the EPA based on a standard testing method under optimal conditions. Your normal driving habits and routine probably in no way resemble the EPA’s test.
There is no single magical item that will “fix” your mileage. Most users on this site combine several mechanical enhancements. It’s all about how much money your willing to spend up front to save some over time. Here are the most commonly recommended methods for increasing mileage.
- K&N high flow air filter. This type of air filter permits a higher rate of airflow into your engine, while still providing adequate filtering. The easier it is for your engine to breathe, the less it has to work. Best of all, the filter is re-usable, only needing to be cleaned every 50,000 miles. This means you will never have to buy another filter again. There has been much heated debate on this site regarding K&N’s. In the end, most users find a slight gain in HP and a 1-3 mpg increase.
- High-flow exhaust. Back-pressure in the exhaust system reduced engine performance and hence worse mileage. A performance exhaust permits easier expulsion of exhaust gasses, which makes it easier for the engine to work. Typically users prefer FlowMaster mufflers, but there are many options. In addition to the muffler, the exhaust pipe size and header size have a lot to do with the amount of back pressure on the engine. Check out the Exhaust forum for a discussion of different options.
- Plugs and wires. A quality set of plug wires and spark plugs help to keep your engine producing maximum horse power, which in turn helps your MPG. There are many types of plugs so your choices are endless. You can never go wrong with the manufacturers’ recommendation, but there are performance plugs available if you want to spend the money. Most users recommend some type of double platinum plug, such as the ones made by Motorcraft or Autolite. For tips on replacing your spark plugs see
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=104027
- Electric Cooling Fan. Your stock truck uses a cooling fan driven by your engine. Powering the fan clutch and the fan with all its blades needlessly wastes horse power that could otherwise be used to power your truck. A popular, albeit expensive solution to this is to remove the stock fan and replace it with an electric fan. There are several aftermarket electric cooling fans designed for this purpose.
- Tonneau bed cover. The theory behind this is that your tailgate creates drag at high speeds. The Tonneau cover provides an aerodynamic surface to air to flow across the back of the truck. You won’t find much mileage increase in city driving, but at highway speeds you may pick up 1 or 2 mpg.
Q: My door ajar light and dome light are constantly on, even when the door is closed!
A: This is a common problem in the 97 and later trucks. It has to do with a micro switch in the door latch. It’s this switch that determines when the door is open or closed. If it gets dirty and gummed up, it doesn’t operate properly, never registers the door closing. This is what keeps your dome light, door ajar light, and chime all active. Fortunately, the fix is simple and cheap. Open your door and heavily spray WD-40 into the door latch. Really drench it. Open and shut the door a few times and repeat. This will clean the switch and restore normal operation.
Q: My truck idles roughly or stalls at idle. What could be the problem?
A: A fairly common idle related malfunction in these trucks seems to be the Idle Air Control valve motor. This valve sits on top of the throttle body and holds the butterfly valve open at idle so the engine can breathe. A sluggish or malfunctioning IAC will prevent a constant idle. The problem sometimes only presents its self when the engine in cold. This certainly isn’t the only thing that can cause a rough idle, but If you find yourself having to keep pressure on the gas pedal to keep the engine running, this may be a place to start. Typically, just cleaning doesn’t offer any improvement, if the IAC is faulty, it usually needs to be replaced.
For some pictures of the IAC take a look at Fordman311's gallery at
http://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gall...&albumid=14860
Q: What size tires will fit on my truck?
A: Take a look at
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/20...-chart%3F.html
Q: How do I clean my MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor?
A: Thanks to Rockledge in the 3.0L forum here are some instructions for cleaning MAFs. The ones in the 97 and up trucks are accessed a bit differently...you remove the air cleaner housing as if you were replacing the filter and then you can see the
MAF inside the big hose that goes to the Throttle Body.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/sh...hreadid=126093
Q: How do I remove my door panels?
A: It depends on the panel style, but most you just pop off the upper trim pieces on either side, and pop out the retainers. If you have power windows pull off the switch plate and disconnect the power leads and set the switches and plate aside. Pull the escutcheon plate around the inner latch handle which just snaps into place. There will be one screw under that latch handle escutcheon plate. Remove that screw. Not all door panels have two upper trim pieces so if yours only has one then remove it and that retainer under it. If you have all the retainers out then simply grasp the bottom of the panel and give it a tug upward. The door panel has a bunch of hooks on the back side and you are simply unhooking them from the panel. The panel should then lift off and you just disconnect the courtesy lamp from the socket if equipped. Reverse order for installation. Some older model panels didnt have the escutcheon plate around the inner latch handle and just have a small trim piece you remove, and then you remove the handle itself with an 8 mm socket tool. Also some have an additional screw just inside the area where you pulled off the switch plate. If you missed a screw you will know as that panel will not budge. Some models may also have a screw hidden behind the lens on the courtesy light. If the lens is removable you will be able to tell by the indention in it made for a small screw driver to pop it out. (Thanks to HomerWinzlow for that answer)
Q: What kind of spark plugs should I use and how do I replace them?
A: Most people on here recommend Motorcraft spark plugs. That is all I will use too. Some people on here have had good luck with other brands and some people have had bad luck. Gimmick type spark plugs seem to usually be a waste of money. Something to remember is that a spark can only jump one gap at a time so having 2, 3, or 4 electrodes doesnt make much sense to me.
Motorcraft plugs can be bought at your local dealer and the prices at the dealer wont always be more than at other places. Ford has been keeping the prices on their common parts in line with the aftermarket in most cases. Apparently most Autozones also carry Motorcraft spark plugs. For tips on replacing your spark plugs see
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=104027
Q: My signal lights dont work correctly...they flash too fast or not at all or one side and not the other etc.
A: For some good info and instructions on replacing the switch see AjRagno's posts at
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/sh...B%25252Bremove or
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/sh...hreadid=193614
Q: Sometimes my odometer goes blank. What can i do about it?
A: Take a look at
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/sh...25252Bblackout
Q: I have an oil leak where the oil filter attaches to the engine. What does it take to fix it?
A: Take a look at
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/sh...48#post1413848
Q: Where can I find aftermarket wheels for my 7 stud F150LD/7700?
A: Try
http://www.eaglewheels.com/143.htm
A couple weeks ago I worked on a 7700 with these on it and I thought they looked pretty good.
They also show their 121 and 171 series wheels with the 7 bolt pattern.
Q: How do I replace my power door lock actuator?
A: Take a look at
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/sh...lock+actuator+
Q: What do ECT, PCM, IAC etc stand for?
A: Ford uses lots of acronyms. For definations take a look at
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=103441
Q: How do I replace the ball joints on my 97-03 F-150 or F-250 LD 4X4?
A: See
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/36...f-150-4x4.html
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Iac
IAC Replaced
IAC Replacement
