I just bought a 1997 F-150 this past week. The lady I bought it from bought it when it had 90,000 miles. She only had the oil changed and put new tires on it. She does not know what maintenance the previous owner performed. I am going to put it in the shop to have a transmission cooler added (I pull a 3000 lb. camper 6 or 7 times a year). I would appreciate some guidance on what I need to have done and or inspected while it is in the shop. This is what I have so far:

Change oil and oil filter

Change spark plugs and wires

Change transmission fluid

Flush radiator and put on new hoses

Replace serpentine belt

Inspect and lubricate automatic transmission shift linkage

Change fuel filter

Inspect and lubricate wheel bearings

I will put a new air filter in.

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. I would also be interested if anyone can give me some idea on how much money I should expect to pay for the above maintenance plus installing a transmission cooler?

Thanks for the help.

 

jeez, that truck must be feelin' pretty new!!

With the 97's- They are known to crap out because of lower intake gaskets blowing, but I think that would have happened by now since you have 111,ooo miles on it.

First thing I would do is take it to a dealership and check and see whether or not the gaskets have been replaced (non-stock). This will ruin your engine if that happens...

Brian, take the helm!

and btw welcome to the 4.2 forum, it's awesome in here, I post everyday and these guys are like my best buds on the net, hope you stay here for awhile!

 

I'd check the plugs and wires. They seem to be good for about 70-80,000 miles. If they have never been changed, or look to be "old", I'd change them and use Motorcraft replacements.
I'm assuming you checked the brakes when you did wheel bearings.
If you have the owner's manual, it has a good checlist of things.
I don't know about the costs. I do it all myself.

Glad to have you here and hope you stick around.

Oh, one last thing, don't forget to change your blinker fluid.

 

Argh, you beat me again...I'm gonna need to get faster at this.

BrianA - -------------------- <---Me

 

the fluid is located in the left door panel, to reach this you must take off the door, the tailgate, and the back two wheels. Good Luck!

 

I had mine put on at uhaul. I had the brake system installed at the same time as the cooler and I didn't pay more then $300. I can't remember exactley how much it was but I know not more then 300. I have a 98.

 

I've been doing routine maintinance on my F150. I still can't find the blinker fluid resivor. I took off the door, then the door panel, I didn't find it after I took off the tailgate and rear wheels either. Is it ever under the dash? I guess I could look there......
sincerly,
lost

 

Okay, I'm ****ed off.

I took off my rear wheels, after removing the door and tailgate. But i didn't know the truck had to be lifted/supported. My truck slammed into the ground. Luckily, it's okay, but the drum brakes put some gnarly scratches and chips in my garage floor.

Rman