I did my 1st oil change last night on my new (to me) 2006 XL 4.6L, and after having to return to the store to get the correct oil filter, finished up in the dark. So before I put it back up on the blocks...

1. Are there any grease fittings on the drive shaft, ball joists, etc or is everything sealed?
2. Anything else that needs to be done from underneath?
3. My dipstick is twisted like a curly fry from Arby's. Normal?
4. I have no maintenance records from PO. Are there any absolute must-do items before I put many more miles on?
5. Any oil and fuel additives recommended to address specific issues with these motors?

Thanks in advance.

 

1) Check the ball joints and sway bar links. Depending if they were changed, they may have zerk fittings
2) A visual inspection. other than that...nothing unless there is something wrong
3) can you put a picture up?
4) How many miles on the truck?
5) No need. You can use a good quality fuel additive. It won't hurt, but may not do much in the line of improvements.

 

How many miles on the engine? Usually the 4.6's are pretty good longevity wise. I would just do regular maintenance for the mileage you have.

 

As far as the dip stick, they're twisted a little bit for rigidity. Asking for a picture just to make sure it's normal

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll get some pics up this weekend - I fight for daylight by the time I get home.

This truck has 245,000 miles on it. It was a fleet vehicle for a construction firm, but judging from the (good) condition I'm guessing it wasn't a grunt's vehicle.

 

Man....that's some good mileage. I'd like to assume that maintenance was performed...but...check these items
Spark plugs
Air filter
Fuel Filter
Clean Throttle Body
Clean MAF sensor
Pretty much all fluids at this point (in my humble opinion).
Alignment check and look for worn suspension components.
maybe even have the A/C serviced

 

Might be a prime candidate for running 5w-30 with that many miles, although totally un-necessary if you're not hearing engine noises.
run it into the ground.

 

I'm trying to do some research and I've found that I don't have a tag on the door jamb with the specs. Can anyone direct me to somewhere I can get the build specs?
Thanks

 

Try http://www.etis.ford.com/

 

Looks like a dead site.