I currently own a 2006 F150 5.4 XLT 4x4. I am looking into purchasing a 2016 Ford F150 XLT 4x4 2.7 Ecoboost. If things line up, I will be doing a few maintenance items immediately to satisfy my needs and ease my mind. I will change both differential fluids, engine oil, spark plugs, and replace serpentine belt.

On the 2006 5.4 they were known to have a bear of spark plugs, mainly getting them out without breaking them. If one broke you either had to get the special tool or haul it to a shop. Does the 2016 2.7 have the same issue/concerns? I know all plugs are subject to breakage, but the 5.4 were the worst I have seen. I took mine in every time to have it done by a mechanic for fear of one breaking leaving me helpless. Is the 2016 more home mechanic friendly?

Anything else I should take care of immediately after purchase? I will check the brake fluid before flushing and take care of that later unless it comes back bad.

Edit... Also is there anything to look out for, or check before getting to the deal?

Great site, been a long time lookie loo and minor provider on the 2004-2008 forum! Looking forward to following and reading up on the 2015-2020 forum.

 

Congrats on the new truck. The spark plugs are much more easy to change on the 2.7, you shouldn't have an issue.

Look for oil seepage around the oil pan. If it's leaking the entire pan has to be replaced. There is a TSB for using a later model oil pan rather than the old style that uses just an RTV bead for a gasket.

You didn't say how many miles are on the truck, but even if they are low, the truck is 7 years old now and you should probably also consider changing the coolant.
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Overall, it's a very maintenance friendly truck. Oil changes are super easy, with the oil filter being a cartridge type right on top of the engine. The rest of us have to reach up above a cross member to get to the oil filter, like you did with your old 5.4.

 

Thanks for the quick reply JKBrad! I am looking at it tomorrow, my mechanic will be throwing it on the rack for me to look underneath and for him to check it over. I will do the coolant in the spring/summer if I get the truck. It has just over 100,000 miles so that would be in order. I neglected my 06 and had it flushed at 150k.

 

Give the oil pan a good look. They all don't do it, but enough leak to keep it in mind. Also, make sure the 4x4 shifts in and out and that there are no weird noises from the IWEs. I would also suspect that at 100k miles, the shocks are shot and if the brakes have never been done, which I can't imagine at 100k miles, they will need attention too.

 

Your truck upgrade is a whole different world from your old one.
At that mileage, plugs, trans service, brakes etc should be be considered.
Good luck.

 

Ford put 2-piece spark plugs in their engine for several years and yes, they were a problem because the lower portion of the plug would break off when removed. Last time those style plugs were used were in the 2008 model year. None of the newer engines have this problem
If you want to read more about it, google "Ford 2-piece spark plugs".