I just joined this board and I've already solved a couple of minor problems with a new truck (like the dash lights). Thanks everyone for all the great information you post.

I'm curious about what other people do when they first buy a used 4x4 with no service records (mine was from an auction). My general opinion is change the oil, filters, and transfluid and then check over the brakes to make sure they are all up to scratch. What does everone else do?

 

engine oil, filter--- transmission oil, filter---rear axle oil-- front axle oil--- fuel filter---check air filter--- check brake linings---check ball joints and front tie rod clearances---vacuum inside--- rub super 2000 on dash and door panels---rub cleaner on leather seats.

 

Welcome to the forum

Wouldn't hurt to change the transfer case fluid too. Check the PCV hose elbows for cracks and spray the MAF filiments with electrcal contact cleaner to clean them. Do not touch them, just spray um down good.

 

Every fluid I can change I change, then usually give it a tune up. After that I clean. I pretty much do what steve ill does.

 

Steve and Preppypyro pretty much got what I do covered. All fluids are a must as well as all moving joints and suspension componets. I also pull a spark plug or two to inspect as well as plug wires and replace as needed. New thermostat comes with radiator flush as soon as possible if not done with the rest of the fluids. Tire pressure is one that is done first gas station I find where I will also fill the tank.

 

I've had -many- used vehicles (some only runners until the right car/truck happened along), and was a mechanic through college.

If a vehicle is a keeper, and over 80k miles (many were):
- All fluids and filters (except air, if it was already clean - pretty easy to tell)
- Plugs, wires (OEM spark plug wires aren't great, and generally 'leak')
- shocks / struts
- sway bar bushings and end-link bushings changed for polyurethane

And things I like to change if I get around to it:
- ceramic brake pads up front (burn them in correctly though)
- wheel bearings (changed if putting new rotors on)
- headlights get dimmer as they age. General Electric halogens are brighter than most brands out there, so I'll put them in.
- Original windsheilds on used vehicles are tough to drive with at night, as they have too many pock-marks from debris, causing uneeded glare at night

 

I don't think it was mentioned above but, check/replace belts and hoses too.

 

OK, that's quite the list! As a matter of curiosity, I dropped by Lube-X just to get an idea of what they would charge to do *all* the fluids and filters. Their quote was $764 (Canadian). Ouch! Naturally, I want to do it myself, but is there anything that you would get someone with all the good tools to do? Motor, brakes, air and fuel filters, pulgs and leads, and radiator are easy enough, but is it worth getting someone else to do the diff's, tranny, power steering and t-case? Do they all require specialist tools that just aren't worth buying unless you're a mechanic (which I'm not)?

 

Forgot to mention: it's a 2001 F150 XL 5.4L 4x4

 

If you're talking fluids, no, no special tools are needed.

If you're talking about actually rebuilding all of those items you're asking about, you sure bought a lemon truck!

 

Nope, definately didn't buy a lemon - the truck's in awesome shape, I just want to make sure everything is done before driving into the middle of nowhere!

I'm only talking about changing the fluids. The bloke at Lube-X told me that you need to suck all the fluid out of the diff's because they don't have a drain plug. That seemed surprising to me, but this is the first Ford truck I've had, and I haven't got an repair manual yet. Is he telling me the truth or pulling some dodgy mechanic stuff? He also quoted me $100 (on top of the $120 for the actual fluid change) just to do the transmission filter "'coz you gotta change the gasket and stuff". Seems kinda high to me - but that's why I own a socket set!

 

your friendly mechanic dont know squat. the rear differential has a cover that is removed (about a dozen bolts) and you clean in out and reinstall then refill, just like any truck made in teh last 100 years. i get confused on the 150 and Explorer we have, but i think the front axle has a fill and a drain plug. drain and blow it out, then refill with new gear lube. the rear is supposed to be synthetic so it is expensive if you follow that rule.-------- the transmission is not tough, just remove the 12-16 bolts and drop the pan. clean out the crud, clean the magnet, and replace the filter inside. the gasket is made of rubber and is reused. if you do this it takes 5 quarts of Mercon V at $5 each so not cheap. If you take off the cooler lines and pump out all the fluid it will take 12-13 quarts. I just did the pan, filter, and cleaned the crud plus 5 quarts.

 

rear axle, 1 hour plus $20 lube. front axle 1 hour plus $10. lube. transmission 1.5 hour plus $20 filter plus $25 oil. 4 x 4 case, 30 minutes plus $10 oil.

 

Thanks Mate. Thought the bloke was full of BS. Now all I need is for it to stop bloody raining for a while! If only I could be bothered building a bigger garage so I could fit a truck through the door. Curse buying 60 y.o. houses!

 

I can tell you what i didnt do, i checked everything but the cv joints. I just bought my 1st 4x4 and knew i needed tires, no big deal just cost me $800 but now i need a new front half shaft which is around$120 and they want almost $400 for labor, hell with that i'll do it myself. other than that all the obvious like everyone has mentioned. I also have a habit of looking at the brake pedal for heavy wearing from excessive stopping and goings...just one of my things though.