Hello All, I purchased a 1996 XL, Single Cab, Short Bed, 4x4 with 4.9L and have had it for about a week and have put 200 additional miles on it. The truck had 144k miles when driven off the lot and on the way home I stopped at an auto part store and purchased new spark plugs and wires, distributor, coil pack, serpentine belt, tensioner pulley, transmission filter, transmission fluid, oil filter and oil, transfer case fluid as well as new fluid for the front and rear diffs, and also pieced together a air intake with cone filter due to the factory air box being busted up and I yanked the factory exhaust from the muffler to the exhaust exit at the rear and installed a cheap magnaflow muffler due to it being full off holes. When I did the initial test drive the only issue I found was there was a bit of a squeal when idling but oil pressure and coolant temps were good and it shifted smooth and AC is blowing cool (still pretty warm in Texas) after I did all of the maintenance work listed above I have not had a single issue out of the truck. Is there anything else I need to do or look out for?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

 

start checking the chassis out...the whole front end, brakes, etc..

a shame the stock airbox is busted up. especially on the 4.9, the open filter seems to just make noise. i think in the summer it may even run better with stock setup, altho i have mine insulated. i have run one on this truck off and on..

 

I'm using the K&N on mine and it works great for me! I regularly get 18-19 mpg and I think a lot of that comes from the filter. Also, justintendo is right on about checking the front end steering box, tie rods, ball joints, and radius arm bushings. I've replaced them all on my truck and it drives straight as can be! I got a Redhead steering gear, and MOOG for everything else. I did have to replace the MOOG ball joints recently though after only about 3 years and 60k miles. Went with Motorcraft on the next set. So you might want to try Motorcraft parts if any of your front end bits need replacing!

And welcome to the forum!!!

 

Buy a Haynes manual (click this, read the caption, & follow the link), and read it:

(phone app link)

 

these trucks really drive and handle well when set up right and everything tight. ive been keeping track of my mileagefor awhile now, maybe ill try the open one again for awhile. i bought a maf adapter, universal large cone filter, and a welded up a nice bracket so its very close to a k+n unit but much cheaper.

 

justintendo, I've had no issues of excessive noise from a cone filter setup. I purchased an adapter where I could delete the stock airbox and could bolt the purchased adapter to the intake going from throttle body to the stock airbox then I removed the airbox and clamped the cone filter directly to the the MAF assembly. I know for a fact I'm not getting any kind of decent MPG because I'm throwing codes for 02 sensor 1&2 and being a little more thorough going through the motor I have found cracked and or completely demolished vacuum lines.

Steve83, thank you for the link and the Haynes manual is on order.

clintm6, Thank you for the heads up on the drivetrain and suspension parts.

 

of course, noise is very subjective..my 4.9 has a much louder intake note while driving compared to the stock setup, and in the past didnt really affect mileage either way. i get between 16-20 mpg, but it always depends on if im willing to drive it easier for the whole tank to get closer to 20. if i just let it run 72-75 mph on the interstate and use more throttle getting up to speed it goes closer to 16. going 65 on the interstate and letting the truck take its time getting to speed i get closer to 20. which intake i have run hasnt really affected it.
i do have a full exhaust i installed this summer that has improved mileage and especially performance, so i may try some tanks of gas with both intakes again.
i have only the front cat, with 3 inch single the rest of the way after. flowmaster 80 muffler. getting rid of the 3 inch to 2 1/4 stepdown was a nice improvement.
its truly amazing how quiet the 4.9 is with the stock intake and exhaust, but im very happy with the new exhaust. its fairly respectful but has nice grunt with zero rasp.