Just recently acquired an 04 screw. Overall very pleased with the truck. will try to get some pics up. Been kinda partial to the 97-03 models until a kid pulled out in front of us and whiped the 03 out. By the way my 97 4.2 has 242000 with no problems just maintenance. I will finally get to my question. The 04 has a loud rattle at interstate speeds from the cowl area. Replaced the cowl pushpins per local service writers instructions still didnt change it. Also looks like the rear of the hood is moving a lot. Hinges are tight. Any suggestions???

 

I'm not sure about the rattle part of your question, but the second part I think you are talking about the rear of the hood fluttering at higher speeds. There is a TSB for it.

TSB 04-18-8 HOOD FLUTTER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS

ISSUE:

Some 2004 F-150 may exibit hood movement at the back of the hood due to high air turbulence, while driving at highway speeds. This condition may be amplified by the installation of an accessory bugshield and may be more pronounced when passing an on-coming vehicle on a two lane road.

ACTION:

Refer to the following Service Procedure.

SERVICE PROCEDURE:

Confirm that the hood is flush with the front fenders at each front corner. If the hood is under-flush, adjust the hood stops to raise the hood flush with the tops of the front fenders. Check the amount of drag at the rear hood to cowl seal with a piece of paper. Place a piece of paper between the seal and hood, close the hood and then slowly pull the paper out. It there is sufficient drag, indicating good seal to hood contact, return the vehicle to the customer.
If there is little to no drag, obtain locally a piece of fuel hose 147cm long & 11mm diameter (58" long & 3/16" diameter). Lube the hose with a soap-based solution and install the hose inside the hood seal bulb.

I have a 2005 F150 SCrew FX4 and it does this as well. I still need to do this, just too lazy now.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

Hope this helps a little.

 

Thats why I joined here. I knew there was a lot of good info on here by fellow ford truck nuts like me.

 

My '04 had the same hood flutter when I got it. I followed the TSB and it worked like a charm. No problems since.

 

Sounds simple enough.

 

Guess I know what I will be doing today. Thanks for all the help guys. Sako noticed you have an edge programmer on your truck. You like it?

 

It works very well for my application. I believe that it has extended the life of my tranny.

 

I have the same flutter but I have never done anything about it. I have the same rattle but I have never been able to find out where it is coming from.

 

Tried the TSB yesterday. Cured the hood flutter and quietened the rattle some but its still there. Sounds like it could be the cowl against the windshield causing this. Need to take it off and paint it anyway. Glad to here the edge is working good for you sako. Had one on my 03 and I was impressed with how it handled the shifting with my dads 66 F-1 behind it.

 

If I recall correctly, I also put a couple of screws (somewhere) in the cowling. It has been a couple of years ago, "Old Timers Disease" ya know.

 

Know all about that old timers disease sako. I just havent figured out why it dont just happen to the old timers though. I just noticed today my left side cowl vent has a crack starting in it. Gotta feelin' might have something to do with it. Guess that will be cheap.