Hi all. I am new to FTE. And I have a problem.

With all my previous new Ford F-150's I have been able to easily order Service/Maintenance Manuals to perform the light service on my F-150; like spark plugs, tranny filters, light blub changes, air filters, etc. I have nearly a full shop in tools. I now have have a new F-150 since August and have beat the Parts Houses, Websites, Google, and Borders to death trying to find a Maintenance/Service Manual. From my search it appears the Manuals have stopped being published with the 2002 year model?

I recently tried to Remove my right rear Tail Light to view a Ford Recall Advisory. I pulled the only two screws I could see, to include using a flashlight to see into the body and under side holes. The Tail Light lens would wiggle without the 2 screws I had removed, but would not retract. It felt like there was a catch at the bottom of the lens that I could not see. I did not want to put too much force or use probes under the lens as I thought I may shatter the plastic lens.

My question, and plea for help: Does any FTE member know where I can obtain a Service Manual, or even a Maintenace CD, for my pickup? Add to that, then has anyone have an idea how to remove my tailight lense?

2004, F-150, Reg Cab, Styleside, XLT, 5.4 Triton.

 

I got the Helm's wiring diagram...search their site for the service manual:

http://www.helminc.com/

On my '04 Flareside, remove the 2 bolts and the light assemblies just fall right out. Not sure if it's different on the Styleside.

Good luck!

 

Not sure about a maintenance manual but, I have got a '05 Screw and to remove my tail light I had to remove the two screws and then pull towards the rear of the truck on the tail light and it popped right off. It has two clips that hold it in.

 

If you are talking about the butyl pad TSB, you do not need to remove the taillight. In fact you will not see it by pulling the taillight. Just lay under the edge of the bed right where the exhaust is and look straight up between the outer body panel and the bed. The pad, if there, will be on the outer body panel behind where the 4x4 or FX4 sticker is or would be.
As far as removing the taillight, like what was stated, you have to pull the lens straight back after removing the screws. there are 2 pins on the outer panel side that are very tight.

 

I thank you all. I see where I have to put a little more force on my attempt to pull back on my Tail Light assy. And it was the butyl pad alert that caused me to want to pull the Tail Light assy.

I will still look into Helms. Of all the outlets I have went to, for some reason no Maintenance/Service manuals are on the Market. I honetly felt that Ford had bought out the publishers contract to disallow any more printing of maintenance manuals so that owners would have to go to the Ford Agency for even minor repair work. I did purchase the Chilton hard cover 2004 Ford manual, but the section on Pickups was very small and covered mostly a full engine pull and such. It just never met my needs.

FYI: My Drivers Manual told me my Fuse Box was under the dash, near the steering column. I looked for an hour. No fuse box. So I got in line at my Ford Garage. They were furious I only wanted to know where my fuse box was. I refused to budge. Finally a mechanic slipped a Factory CD into his computer and the Fuse Box was located against the outer wall of the passenger side, approx calf level, under the inner vinyl wall cover.

 

Dazz, quick question. I noticed you have a regular cab. Is it an 8' or 6.5' bed. I had thought that onlt the 6.5' bed was the ones with the butyl pad. If yours is the 8' and you got a letter, that must not be true.

 

Thanks for the question. I have the 6½' bed.

 

A regular cab with the 6.5' bed. Those are few and far between. I would have bought something like that if the dealer I go to had any like how mine is equipped. I realy don't need the supercab as with the new regular cab there is enough room to store everything I need.

 

In past years I had little room behind the seats because I never needed the Super or Crew cab. But the new Regular Cab with the storage space and access doors gives me all the room I need. To increase storage space behind the seats I installed some kitched shelving (wire, coated) and used bulk bungy cord to secure the shelving to the little child-seat tab at the center of the back window. If I need luggage space I can uninstall in seconds. Perfect.

I also took the box that my hood air-deflector came in and used that as the base for my storage space. Again, perfect.

 

Don
Great tip. I ordered the Helms Workshop Manual and Helms Wiring Diagram. They were expensive but now I will be able to change a bulb or install a tranny filter without paying my Ford Dealer a bucket of money, plus tying up my rig all day+.

Many thanks.

(I had to remove your Helms Link to get this posted)

 

Glad I could help, Dazz!! I'm saving for the maintenance manual ($120! ) , but the WDM has helped me alot already.