2005 fx4
11-18-2017, 04:15 PM
#1
2005 fx4
Hello, I recently got a 2005 FX4 supercab short bed. It was my father in laws truck. He kept it in pretty good mechanical condition, it has newer struts (appear to be aluminum) ball joints, brakes, tires, looks like ACCEL coils, and I know he's already done the spark plugs so I don't have to deal with that issue. It has about 155,000 miles on it. Cosmetically it's good, but the paint is not perfect. Most everything works, the driver window is intermittent, I'm guessing it's a bad contact in the switch. Also, the adjustable pedals don't work. The driver power seat is also intermittent to move forward and backward.
I just replaced the cheap spectre/ebay intake he had on it with an S&B. SO glad I did, look at the filter!!!!! It had probably been like this for a really long time. Maybe a year or even longer. Been sucking raw air for a long time. Oh well... I cleaned the MAF and TB they were filthy. Also put some new ebay blacked out headlights on it and man they are pretty nice (originals were oxidized badly). I sealed them up really good with silicone after reading bad reviews about moisture intrusion. They actually fit better than the factory ones.
Also bought some long tube headers, no name brand but they are pretty nice. Going to install them in december and have it dyno tuned. I'm not looking for a crazy fast truck, but this 3v 5.4L engine is a dog and I'm just trying to get it running strong for cheap investment. It runs good, but it just doesn't seem to have much power.
I also have a 98 f150 4x4 4.6L and a 2010 ram 1500 4.7L 2wd and even the 98 4.6L feels stronger lol. My 4.7L ram will blow it away. I'm selling my other two trucks and keeping the 2005 fx4 as it can replace the need for both the others.
I'm going to do a few other things, powdercoat the bumpers as they are dinged up a bit (my buddy has a huge powder coating oven), going to paint the plastic front bumper cover (all dinged up), going to paint the wheel flares and cowl pieces. Other than that it looks pretty good, just a little bit of money and should be all "tuned" up. I also need a replacement grill, I'd love to find one already painted but having trouble. Anyone know if you can buy them that way?
Down the road I plan to pull all the F150 emblems off and replace them with the newer style F150 FX4 emblems in chrome and black. And replace the blue ford ovals on the grill and tailgate with black/chrome ones. Also will try to put a small 8" subwoofer under the front center jump seat. Would like to do all LEDs also.
Thanks for any advice! I'm brand new to this truck. I'm not really a ford guy, nor a modular engine guy, but trying to do what makes the most sense with the situation. Hoping this will be a good truck.
I just replaced the cheap spectre/ebay intake he had on it with an S&B. SO glad I did, look at the filter!!!!! It had probably been like this for a really long time. Maybe a year or even longer. Been sucking raw air for a long time. Oh well... I cleaned the MAF and TB they were filthy. Also put some new ebay blacked out headlights on it and man they are pretty nice (originals were oxidized badly). I sealed them up really good with silicone after reading bad reviews about moisture intrusion. They actually fit better than the factory ones.
Also bought some long tube headers, no name brand but they are pretty nice. Going to install them in december and have it dyno tuned. I'm not looking for a crazy fast truck, but this 3v 5.4L engine is a dog and I'm just trying to get it running strong for cheap investment. It runs good, but it just doesn't seem to have much power.
I also have a 98 f150 4x4 4.6L and a 2010 ram 1500 4.7L 2wd and even the 98 4.6L feels stronger lol. My 4.7L ram will blow it away. I'm selling my other two trucks and keeping the 2005 fx4 as it can replace the need for both the others.
I'm going to do a few other things, powdercoat the bumpers as they are dinged up a bit (my buddy has a huge powder coating oven), going to paint the plastic front bumper cover (all dinged up), going to paint the wheel flares and cowl pieces. Other than that it looks pretty good, just a little bit of money and should be all "tuned" up. I also need a replacement grill, I'd love to find one already painted but having trouble. Anyone know if you can buy them that way?
Down the road I plan to pull all the F150 emblems off and replace them with the newer style F150 FX4 emblems in chrome and black. And replace the blue ford ovals on the grill and tailgate with black/chrome ones. Also will try to put a small 8" subwoofer under the front center jump seat. Would like to do all LEDs also.
Thanks for any advice! I'm brand new to this truck. I'm not really a ford guy, nor a modular engine guy, but trying to do what makes the most sense with the situation. Hoping this will be a good truck.
12-09-2017, 08:19 PM
#2
So I just finished installing longtube headers on this truck, it was a huge job. I'm not going to give a ton of detail, but everything I read online basically said you have to lift the engine a bit (mainly the passenger side). I did it without lifting the engine. It took me two full days (on a lift, and pretty much with endless tools), but it is doable. I only removed the inner fender wells, the starter, and disconnected the steering linkage and removed the oil dipstick. Other than going really damn slow, I didn't have much issue. A few of the bolts are just so hard to access it takes forever. I couldn't even get the retaining clips of the stage 8 bolts on the front two lower bolts on both sides. Can't get my hands in there. Oh well.
I'll post some pics later, but I bought stainless long tubes with y pipe for like $320 shipped. They are pretty dang nice and fit pretty good. No brand, so I guess it's a no name chinese company but they are nice headers.
I'm trying to get a dyno tune scheduled for next sunday so I'll also have numbers to post for a 3v 5.4L with longtubes, slp loudmouth exhaust, and s&b intake.
After doing this work I'll say it likely wasn't worth it, but for the price I'd probably do it again. Although if I had to lay on my back on concrete for two days to do it I may disagree....
I was lucky and didn't break any studs even though it has 155000 miles. I soaked the studs overnight in wd40, reapplying multiple times. Then ran it through a heat cycle (drove to friends house with a lift), then removed the exhaust as it cooled and applied pb blaster multiple times. Then cracked loose all the studs while the engine was still slightly warm. Once cracked loose, I soaked them all again in pb blaster then removed. Worked well.
I'll post some pics later, but I bought stainless long tubes with y pipe for like $320 shipped. They are pretty dang nice and fit pretty good. No brand, so I guess it's a no name chinese company but they are nice headers.
I'm trying to get a dyno tune scheduled for next sunday so I'll also have numbers to post for a 3v 5.4L with longtubes, slp loudmouth exhaust, and s&b intake.
After doing this work I'll say it likely wasn't worth it, but for the price I'd probably do it again. Although if I had to lay on my back on concrete for two days to do it I may disagree....
I was lucky and didn't break any studs even though it has 155000 miles. I soaked the studs overnight in wd40, reapplying multiple times. Then ran it through a heat cycle (drove to friends house with a lift), then removed the exhaust as it cooled and applied pb blaster multiple times. Then cracked loose all the studs while the engine was still slightly warm. Once cracked loose, I soaked them all again in pb blaster then removed. Worked well.
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Ramirez (12-23-2017)
12-10-2017, 07:18 AM
#3
Senior Member
Thats awsome man!!!
Glad to see you fixing up the ride and keeping the 11th gen alive.
I swear by some PB Blaster too, i keep the dry silicone lube, white grease, penetrating oil, and even coat under my mower deck with the graphite lube so yeah, it's good stuff!!
I'd like to do the headers on mine as well. Been doing too many other things to it lately to think about taking on something voluntarily. keep us posted and let me know if I can assist in any way........PPPpppppsssssstttttt............Plastpi Dip is awsome !!!
Glad to see you fixing up the ride and keeping the 11th gen alive.
I swear by some PB Blaster too, i keep the dry silicone lube, white grease, penetrating oil, and even coat under my mower deck with the graphite lube so yeah, it's good stuff!!
I'd like to do the headers on mine as well. Been doing too many other things to it lately to think about taking on something voluntarily. keep us posted and let me know if I can assist in any way........PPPpppppsssssstttttt............Plastpi Dip is awsome !!!
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Ramirez (12-23-2017)
12-11-2017, 07:05 PM
#4
Here's some pictures. Turned out nice. Had to add a second exhaust hanger near the back (can see in pics) as the one clamp between y pipes wasn't able to tighten down any more and allowed the mufflers and tailpipes to pivot a bit. The clamp seals fine just not enough clamping power to keep it from twisting. Turned out nice, sounds good, amazingly not loud at cruising speeds. Getting it dyno tuned next sunday.
I'm not very familiar with fords but from what I understand (and feels like it) these 3v 5.4s are pigs. I'm guessing maybe I'll get 250rwhp on 93 octane? With headers and s&b intake.
Don't really care, just want decent power and want it to run good. Not looking for a race truck.
I'm amazed at how nice these headers are. They are obviously chinese cheapos with no name, but they are completely SS, they fit perfect, and line up to the factory exhaust after the y pipe. I had a minor issue where there was a ~1/2" long section of one of the resonators not finished welded, but I just welded it myself. They said I could send it all back and they'd replace it but I didn't have the time. Also, their gaskets are crappy, I used oem type (from advanced auto).
I'm not very familiar with fords but from what I understand (and feels like it) these 3v 5.4s are pigs. I'm guessing maybe I'll get 250rwhp on 93 octane? With headers and s&b intake.
Don't really care, just want decent power and want it to run good. Not looking for a race truck.
I'm amazed at how nice these headers are. They are obviously chinese cheapos with no name, but they are completely SS, they fit perfect, and line up to the factory exhaust after the y pipe. I had a minor issue where there was a ~1/2" long section of one of the resonators not finished welded, but I just welded it myself. They said I could send it all back and they'd replace it but I didn't have the time. Also, their gaskets are crappy, I used oem type (from advanced auto).
Last edited by snrusnak; 12-11-2017 at 07:07 PM.
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Ramirez (12-23-2017)
12-11-2017, 07:14 PM
#5
I've attached a snapshot of the headers i bought as I didn't see any posts or reviews on them. I would assume they are pretty much identical to OBX. I found an online $10 off coupon and if I recall correctly I paid either $310 or $320 shipped, so they are even cheaper now lol. How can you possibly beat that????
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Ramirez (12-23-2017)
Trending Topics
12-12-2017, 07:20 AM
#8
Moderator
I mean a sound clip!!!! Video! Video!
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Jamieat (12-12-2017)
12-14-2017, 06:17 PM
#10
Senior Member
That's beautiful. I want to hear it too.
-- As to the 5.4 being a pig, that's not been my experience. We had a '10 expedition that was a fast machine and towed a 5500 lb boat with no problem. The 5.4 in my sig is now my son's truck, but was mine from '13 until last April. It has 35" tires (34.8 actually) and 4.56 gears and it hauls.
I love that exhaust system. It makes me want something similar for my 6.2, if such exists.
-- As to the 5.4 being a pig, that's not been my experience. We had a '10 expedition that was a fast machine and towed a 5500 lb boat with no problem. The 5.4 in my sig is now my son's truck, but was mine from '13 until last April. It has 35" tires (34.8 actually) and 4.56 gears and it hauls.
I love that exhaust system. It makes me want something similar for my 6.2, if such exists.
