Well, after driving my new to me but used 2000 Ford F150 w/the 5.4 I must say I am sooooo impressed with the power of this thing. It's been a VERY long time since I have owned anything with a V8, and I really missed it now that I have it again.
My question is this. I bought it with 93,000 miles on it. I want to do a complete tune up all the way down to the fluids in the tcase, front and rear diff, tranny and of course oil. I'm assuming it has not had or used synthetic oil before, so would it be a good idea or bad idea to switch to my favorite synthetic oil (Castrol Syntec).
Or is it too late to reap the benefits of using synthetics?

 

The 5.4 responds very well to intake and exhaust modification. You should keep this in mind on down the road

If the motor has not used synthetics, I would not start using them now. I've heard oil leaks can start in places one would not expect, and at 93,000 it's very likely to start some leaks. Let us know how that tune up goes, and while you're at it, modify it a little!

 

i am in the same situation, but 6 months ahead of you. bought a 2110 screw with 120,000 mils. i changed the transmission fluid and filter, transfer case (both MERCON V). then drained the font axle and put in 90 wt. removed the rear differential cover- cleaned and refilled with synthetic 75-90 wt gear lube. changed the engine oil and filter. the ball joints were gone, so i replaced them. other small things are electric window squeeks and drags on driver side. removed panel, sprayed the pivots and slides with PB blaseter (oil) and now in good shape. the steering rod anchor to the frame had extra slop, removed and replaced.---- thinking about drive shaft universals, and spark plugs next spring. these trucks with 100,000 appear to just be broke in. Had 80,000 on original tires, now have almost 50,000 on this set. radiator was drained and flushed just before i got it. fan belt looks good.--- good luck.

 

Yes I hear you about the "just broken in" part. I currently have 4 Fords in my arsenal.
03 Explorer w/ 35,000
00 F150 w/93,000
96 Ranger w/145,000
94 Aerostar w/178,000
Some things about Ford disappoint me (like balljoints, brakes, etc.) but as far as their performance and durability....I'll put them up against any import if they are properly cared for and maintenance is done regularly.

 

I agree with you %100 on the ball joints and brakes deal. I had 12,000 miles on my '03 and both upper and lower ball joints in the front end were shot, and it's lot like I was out rock climbing with it or anything. Had a awful time with the rotors on the front end also, but other then these two problems it's been bullet proof!

 

Put synthetic in whatever you want. If the seals leak with regular oil, they will leak with syntethic, no more no less. This has been proven. Go synthetic all around and enjoy.

 

a 2110? wow....i didn't know those had come out yet....

 

I just had the front and rear diffs serviced, tcase serviced, cooling system serviced, fuel induction cleaning, new PVC, new fuel filter, oil & filter change, cleaned EGR valve, cleaned IAC valve, new K&N filter/intake modification, new spark plugs, new #5 coil, and a bit of seafoam treatment to clean things up. Also had the tranny serviced for a slip/shudder and ended up having to have the torque converter replaced and tranny overhauled and a shift kit put in. good thing warranty covered it!

67k miles and I'm good to go for another few years. The thing runs like it was brand new. Idles perfectly smooth, pulls hard, doesn't burn a lick of oil, and gets about 16 mpg average (2002 5.4L, Supercrew 4x4).

I'm a happy camper!

 

I hear you about the power thing. Ive got a '99 F-150 reg cab 8' bed 4x4 Off-Road with a 5.4L and the power is nice. I just love the fact that it always has plenty of power for the given situation. If you need a little more power, just step on the gas pedal a little harder and the truck always does what you ask of it.
I love it when Im on the interstate on ramp and that I can be doing 70 mph by the time I reach the end of the on ramp.
Ive had good luck with brake rotors. I recently replaced the front rotors and they had at least 60,000 miles on them. The only things that are wrong with my truck are that the odometer doesnt always display the miles all the time, the engine leaks a little oil between the head and the block on the passenger side and its got a broken stud on the passenger side exhaust manifold, so it rattles a little untill the engine warms up.
All in all, for a truck with 130,000 miles on it, I cant complain. Hopefully nothing major will go wrong in the next 70,000 miles (knock on wood).
Chances are that when this truck reaches 200,000 miles I will trade it in on another F-150 (I will give the Toyota Tundra a serious look though, but I know I could get a 2-year-old F-150 for far less $$$ than a Tundra). It will be another regular cab/8' bed, but my next one with be a V6 4x2. I dont need the power of a V8 (I dont tow or do much heavy hauling) and I dont drive off-road or in deep snow enough to warrant having paying the extra money to get a 4x4.

 

I'd like more power. I'm funny like that. I did the K&N intake system and dual exhaust. A little increased power, a little decreased mileage. I'd consider the power adequate, but hardly satisfying.

 

Wanting more power is not an odd thing... Put a blower on your truck. That should satisfy your need for a bit

 

Yeah dude, where you been?? Major upgrade from the 2109 model.

 

i put nos in my truck and i was the best thing ever...i ran a 16.4 with an aem cold air,flowmaster catback,and the diablo tuner...i put the 150 shot in and took out the tuner(it advances timing) and ran a 14.8 ..the catch is the bottle runs out...but it probably keeps me off the button...its rather inexpensive vs a supercharger and there is no tuning required...also if u put nos in get rid of platinum plugs if u have them...i ran a 15.3 and changed them to a regular plug and ran the 14.8...i read the nos blows out the spark a little...i believe it cause i got faster with the reg. plugs..

 

Synthetics causing leaks is a myth. I had a car with 110000 and I switched to synthetics with no problems.

I am trying to decide if sythetics are really worth it. I don't see any mileage differences in useing them, and I have tried in vehicles that get both good and bad. I do like using them in the winter with it is -05 out and the truck sits outside. I do notice a differnce for cold start ups.

In the summer, I will probably save my money and run stardard oil.

 

Roger that...those stories started years ago, and are untrue...just like the ones that say you can't mix regular oil with synthetic..why do you think they have synthetic blends....I think they are worth it for piece of mind alone, and if you do the math, you'll do 33 oil changes if you keep the vehicle 100K miles..at $25 bucks extra each oil change, will you really go broke? I've run synthetic since I bought my first Ranger in '95 and haven't looked back. Living in the Northeast and snowmobiling in Northern VT when it gets ridiculously cold, I like to see the oil pressure gauge shoot up instantly...that alone is worth the extra dough