My wife & I just bought a used 1994 F150 XLT 4WD LWB with the 5.8L. I have a few questions being new to these trucks.

I'm going today to have a spray in liner done in the bed and am also thinking about picking up the K&N FIPK air kit. The stock air box is missing just about all of the pressed in nuts in the lower box and I've always had luck with K&N fliters. Any feedback would help.

Also I have two questions about features and a condition I can't find info on:
1) When I open the door (all electric locks & windows which work flawlessly) there are two lights that light/flash on the lower left dash area (instrument panel) one is for door ajar and the other flashes "THEFT" in red. as soon as the door closes or I put in the key, it stops. I don't have a manual, nor can I find any info about a theft deterent system. Anyone know what this is?
2) The passenger side bed body lines are about a 1/2" higher than the cab lines. The drivers side is right on the money. I measured from the bottom of the frame to the center line of the rear axle and the passenger side is infact 1/2" more in distance. All shackles and hangers are in excellent shape as are the leaf springs with no cracked leafs. The truck has the factory tow package and was used for towing. It drives very straight and brakes straight too. I cannot see any frame damage either. The only thing I have noticed is when driving, up to about 50mph, it feels like you can feel every small bump/road irregularity. Large bumps, railroad tracks, etc. the suspension takes with no adverse effect and feels actually mellow. Has OE size replacement tires (like BFG All Terrain) and they are at 40 psi cold. Maybe I should lower the pressure a bit, but it handles well and helps with economy.....that's an oximoron with the thirsty 5.8L LOL Could this be alignment and or a sagging spring set? If I lift on the drivers side rear of the bed @ the bumper, it appears as if the passenger side bed @ the front does move down more in line with the cab.

I've had and seen trucks in the past that bed to cab alignment is off a little with no underlying issue and is only cosmetic. If this is the case, I'm all good.

Being a new "blue oval" family (lol) we look forward to keeping this truck a long time. This thing is loaded with all the features and some I didn't know it had. The 5.8L is strong even with 135,000 on it's clock. And the E4OD has been maintained well and shifts/works flawlessly. (I will keep up on it's maintenece also!) Any help or info on the "THEFT" light, FIPK kit, the bed alignment and the lower speed "bumpyness" in ride would be appriciated.
Thanks

 

The anti-theft protection system provides two types of vehicle protection. The first is designed to provide the vehicle with protection from unauthorized entry into the passenger compartment. The second monitors the status of the ignition key lock cylinder.

The system is controlled by an anti-theft alarm control (19A366). When armed, unauthorized entry into the vehicle is detected by courtesy lamp switches (13713) (located in the passenger compartment door jambs). In addition, the system triggers an alarm if the ignition switch lock cylinder (11582) are forcibly removed from the steering column.

NOTE:
The system immediately monitors the ignition switch lock cylinder upon removal of the key from the ignition. It is not necessary to arm the system for monitoring ignition switch lock cylinder.

Once triggered, the system flashes the low beam headlamps, the parking lamps (13201), the alarm indicator, and sounds the horn. In addition, the starter circuit is disabled to prevent starting the vehicle until the system is disarmed.

 

subford,

Thanks for the info on the security system. Trying to find info on that features was like trying to ask the NSA for an open book policy. LOL

Well, that's just one more features of this truck that is a plus. Haven't found any that are a minus at all.

Thanks again!

 

Well just got back from the Line-x place and the parts shop.

The Line-x went great! The installer went way beyond in prep and even cured a few of the issues that age and usage had left. Looks great and should hold up very well.

Hadn't heard from anyone on the FIPK K&N kit and since the stock air box (and twin ducts, as I found out) were in sad shape, I purchased the FIPK and the install took all of about 40 minutes with stopping to clean areas along the way. Won't know what the long term benifit will be, but I'll let you all know. (ie; gas milage, power, etc.) So far with just running her up the road and back I noticed two things: the throttle response seems a bit better and the acceleration is quicker. I'm not saying it's a drag rig, but I could tell the difference. It's a clean install and the fac that I can depend on the element for the life of this truck is worth it. We use these K&N's on Harleys and they hold up longer than the bikes (lol) with proper maintenance.

I'm glad I found this site and look forward to learning alot and hope to help when I can. I will try and get some pics of the truck soon and post them.

 

The FIPK is a complete waste of money.

I had one and It did nothing except make noise and reduce the fuel economy. It sucks in hot air from the engine bay.

You best bet is a complete stock air box that pulls in cooler outside air and a new OE type filter. I would just repair the stock air box.

 

Texasguy,

Thanks for the imput, unfortunately it's already done. Hope that wasn't a waste.

What I found on the OE airbox & tubes was two fold. One was no big deal and repairable which was the inserts in the lower box all gone. The second was the cracking in the two air tubes. Ya, could searched the scrap yards....but what the heck. The K&N filter is worth it to me in serviceability and life. Time will tell about fuel economy and performance....the second not being a big issue. As for the hot air, I see your point and can agree with it at low speeds or idle and maybe a little at freeway speeds. We'll see if this is an issue. Like our Harleys, the IAT will modify for air temp and I don't see this being a huge deal. I'll let ya all know how it goes and what the facts are for fuel economy and performance. I do a lot of testing on bikes and will call a spade a spade when there's an accessory or product that does not live up to it's claims.

Heck the only thing I've found on this rig that isn't up to spec is the left rear leafs. Based on mesurements and checking, I think I've got a weak/slightly saged set there. Only about 1/2" at most. Drives straight, brakes straight and handles well, so no big foul at this point. Mostly just cosmetic. Heck this things got the HD tow/suspension package and feels more like a 250 than a 150. LOL
Thanks for the advise!!!

 

the iat does not modify for air temp.

 

Ok, Ok, not exactly what I ment. Yes the IAT (intake air temp) reads intake air temp and shares this info with the control unit..(ECM, ECC, PCM, etc. ....so many terms for roughly the same thing depending on the manufacture...LOL Oh, don't get stuck on my including the PCM here.....it's a computerized control unit....LOL)
Now, unless Ford is off in another plane of existance, this signal is then used to modify, basically, the fuel delivery, etc. All to benifit the attempt for 14.7 (thanks EPA for the wonderful performance - LOL)
Now, if this is wrong, and I was being very simplistic in overview, tell me how Ford does it differently. All vehicles that I'm aware of that have MAP and IAT, MAP has a bigger effect on fuel delivery/tuning than the IAT. The IAT has more of a fine tuning role and works in conjunction with all the periferal devices.

 

Your truck has the PCM Computer (Powertrain Control Module). The Ford EEC Computer (Electronic Engine Control) was used with the non-Transmission control trucks for enhanced engine control. The ECU (Emission Control Unit) was used before the EEC for emission control. The names had nothing to do with the manufacture.

 

Thanks Subford for the clarification. all I ment was that there are computer control units that receive imput from periferal devices that is used to control some function. Believe it or not, we see these "names" interwoven with and without proper terminology too. Forgive me for my mistake. LOL I guess I'll just have to learn all the terminology and specs as I go along. Or, stick with my 67 Prostreet carb'd P/U. LOL

 

your year truck does not know if the air is hot or cold.

it does not adjust for it.

look between where the air comes in and the throttle body, do you see anything that adjusts?

no.

 

Ya know, you are right! So, there is no IAT on the induction module/throttle body at all?
Meaning there is no intake air tempurature sensor at all in this year of truck?

That's why I'm here...to learn. I was led to believe and looking thru manuals (that can be dangerous) that this 5.8 had an IAT.

Sorry for the confusion. (I'm a reformed Bow Tie guy LOL)

 

I have no idea what you guys are talking about but 94xlt, if you want some good reading on the system and the sensors go to fordfuelinjection.com where there is also good info on pulling trouble codes withiut a code reader.
Also you may be able to download a drivers manual at ford.fleet.com which might be useful.

 

All Ford trucks have an IAT sensor (and yours) that are EEC-IV.

EEC-IV: Ford's fourth generation EEC system.
EEC: Electronic Engine Control.

 

The Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor provides the Electronic Engine Control System with temperature information. In Speed Density (SD) systems, the IAT is used both to correct airflow density calculation and to proportion the cold enrichment fuel flow. For Mass Air Flow (MAF) systems, the IAT signal is used for inferred BARO calculations and borderline spark control. This sensor is similar in construction to the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor, except it is packaged to improve sensor response time.