OK I have the bezel off. I have the ashtray assembly out. It is missing whatever the catch device in the back is. Ford wants $100.00. I hate this truck and it is for sale. I have driven Ford trucks my entire life. 5 total. This is by far the most expensive and biggest piece of crap I have ever owned. 2005 F-150 Lariat. Someone help me with this ashtray

 

Can you retrieve the "catch device' from inside the dash? Probably fell down inside the lower part of the cowling below the ashtray.

 

Have not been able to find it. Before this happened the thing rattled when closed, since new, my solution was to leave it open all the time. I went to close it and it would'nt stay closed. I would say that in 4 years this ash tray was opened/closed maybe 10 times.

 

I'll look at mine tonight, mine doesn't always pop out like it;s supposed to. But like you, I left it open most of the time.

 

Thanks, I'll let you know what I can do about this just in case it happens to you. I'm selling this truck, thoroughly dissapointed in it. Does yours have the 3v 5.8L motor?

 

you mean, the 3v 5.4L yes and 4wd, why, don't like the cam phaser problem? the diesel sounding engine? or maybe the bed shake? or the stuck spark plugs?

We bought these truck knowing that they were the first of the new bodystyle. All redesigned vehicles have problems for the first couple years. All in all, mine has been very dependable. Never left me stranded, and has done everything I wanted to do with it. Tow trailers, Pull cars out of ditches in the winter, Haul anything i wanted.. Is it perfect, nope, do i care? very little. would like the engine noise to go away, but other than that, no,

What has gone wrong with yours that your giving up on it?

 

Mine is not 4wd. The stuck spark plug problem was brought to my attention by a friend of mine that is a mechanic. Ford wants $3,000.00 to change the plugs in these motors because the threads are stamped on and break when trying to remove them. They have to pull the top end of the motor off to change the plugs.
I don't want that.
My complaints have been a mutitude of little thing for the past 4 years that are more annoying than real problems. I guess my philosophy on it goes like this.
32 years ago I bought my first Ford truck. It was a used 1970 F-100 for $1,500. I drove that truck for 18 years, made a lot of money using it as a work truck. In that 18 years I put one motor in it and changed the brakes several times. That's is. I sold that truck 18 years after buying it. I sold it for $1,500. I have had several Ford trucks since then and they hav all been good trucks. I finally splurged and got a Lariat. All the bells and whistles. Almost $40,000.00! I have had it for 4 years and it is good condition. (I fixed the ashtray). I am trying to sell it for $16,000.00 That math sucks. These trucks are way too expensive and worth less than half in no time at all. To me, that is not dependable. I'm buying a 1979 F-250. Cash for clunkers my Butt. I'll take the clunker any day.

 

$3000 for a plug change is the worst case scenerio. If you soak the plugs overnight prior to trying to remove them you usually dont have too much of a problem. Most people loosen them a bit, then tighten them some to loosen the carbon and junk that gets into the threads. If you take your time it can be done.

 

I have heard that. My point is after 150 years and for $40,000.00 you shouldn't have to go through all that to change the spark plugs! My 1970 with a 390 got 12mpg. This truck gets 14-19. You would think after 35 years, and charging that much money, there would be a huge difference. You can buy a lot of gas for $38,000.00. And I could change the plugs in that 390 for $8.00. I'm just very dissapointed in the way these trucks have evolved. That goes for Chevy as well. I didn't really mean to strike a nerve in anyone, it just amazes me how much of this "junk" there is.

 

Something tells me that Chevy Monza owners didn't know that they had to remove the engine to change the oil filter when they bought it either.

You have been mislead about the sparkplug problem. Your 'friend' apparently owns stock in the dealership where he works. This forum is only a very small fraction of the f150 owners out there. Probably more than half of the vehicles never experience the plugs sticking and come out just fine. we get worked up on this forum because people like to complain.

Don't let this issue turn you on ford trucks. I understand you had a GREAT experience with your first truck, and thats awesome. These trucks will and can last just as long as that one. and you can't tell me that EVERYTHING worked on your '70 when you sold it, (parking brakes come to mind, rust, tailgate latches.) That means you replaced more than oil, brakes, and tires in 18 years, or, maybe you should go buy it back,

Sorry you feel that way about your truck, Hope you get your price for it.

 

I agree with rayrohret. These trucks and any other manufacturers' trucks are too expensive. An $18000 hit in depreciation in 4 years is entirely rediculous. It has effectively put a new truck out of reach for middle-class Americans. I would much prefer to have one like my 95 5.8L XLT E/C 4X4 was. It had part-time 4wd with real lockout hubs and wheel bearing that you repacked every brake job and rarely if ever had to replace. You could change the spark plugs, cap, and rotor for under $30 in under 1 hour. Didn't need any special tools either. A heater core could be changed out in an hour. The seats were very comfortable. I still wonder what that truck could have done with better heads, cam and today's engine management and 6 speed tranny. Are you listening, Ford?

 

No, unfortunately they are not.

 

I also remember that almost all f150's of that age had a rust problem in a just a couple years after purchase. over the arches, cab corners, door sills, bumpers. You don't see that on these new ones. also, 95 F150's did not come with manual lockouts, they had the much hated auto hubs, the same power window regulator problems as we are having with the 2004's. also had the E40D trans. and those you either loved or hated. None of these truck were perfect. I had an 88 5.8L excab 4x4 , and i wish i had never gotten rid of it. (I had reasons to, none of which were the trucks fault.) Mine had only 88K on it, bought it for 1800 in 2003, and promplty put another 700 in the engine, but it was worth it. when i sold it, i got all my money back. even the engine work. I got 11mpg out of it, (had the C6 trans) no matter how i drove it. My 2004, I love it too. Looks way better than the 88, engine lasts longer, better gas mileage, safer ( no airbags, or 4wheel anti-locks on the 88), and more comfortable overall. Not to mention they ride WAY better than the IFS suspension on the old ones.

Hind sight is always 20/20, but don't let it cloud your vision of the present and future.

 

hehe...he said "Monza".

 

I recall three 70's-era Ford trucks in our family. My memory of those trucks appears to be different. Your 2005 Lariat is faster, quieter, gets better gas mileage, is roomier, handles better, has more features, pollutes less, is safer, tows more....