bigredFX4crew

I just got a 2004 FX4. 130k miles.. completely stock. i am looking to do simple, quick, and cheap mods. to start. And hope to gain more information on bigger mods on her as well. Thanks.

JaredTanner

Leveling kits can be had for pretty cheap. Hell bent steel makes one that, although I have never had one, seems to be pretty popular. Could also look into pulling the headlights apart and painting the interiors black or red since they are the only chrome parts. Gotts Mod. Those are pretty cheap mods.
For the bigger ones: Rims and Tires, Exhaust, Tuner, and maybe a lift w/ new gears if you want that.

ucgolfer

iTrader: (-1)

I'd start with some proactive PM at 130k, have plugs and coils been changed? Ball joints, UCA, Tie Rod Ends, Sway Bar End Links and Bushings, shocks, struts etc. When doing the PM upgrade some with leveling struts, serviceable joints etc. Swap to synthetic fluids, premium filters, flush coolant etc. change bulbs to LED in and out, and maybe night shades for tail lights.

bigredFX4crew

I haven't changed all of those yet. What brand shocks, struts,synthetic oil, etc do yall prefer?

JaredTanner

@ucgolfer is absolutely correct. Preventative is the way to go. thats what I did first when I got my 05 that had 96000 on it. I upgraded my shocks to Rancho Quicklift Loaded in the front and Rancho RS9000XL in the rear. they had a promotion at the time which made them quite affordable. I think they have a promotion right now of Buy 3 get 1 Free. The quicklift loadeds are set up to give you a level without the need for a spacer. my truck had a spacer on it when I bought it to level the front end, and when I replaced with the quicklifts I got the same amount of lift and sit pretty much level. I have always been a fan of Rancho products. While you are replacing the front suspension check the upper and lower ball joints as well as the tie rod ends to make sure they aren't worn out. For oil I use Mobil 1 full sythetic and a Mobil 1 oil filter. I like Mobil 1 products.

ucgolfer

iTrader: (-1)

Rancho is a quality product and affordable at the moment especially the Quick Lift and 9000 series shocks. For suspension components I prefer MOOG as they are grease-able. Rockauto.com has very good prices!! As far as fluids Mobil 1 is good, I use Royal Purple products all around including their filters. If not Mobil 1 or Royal Purple I'd use motorcraft. I might also suggest you consider doing break pads, rotors, lines and calipers. I have the powerstop extreme break kit w/ drilled and slotted rotors & ceramic pads, powerstop powder coated calipers from rockauto.com and crown stainless lines, used Lucas Synthetic Break Fluid.

bigredFX4crew

what weight yall using? do yall have a problem with the oil pump with the thick oil?

JaredTanner

5w20 Mobil 1 full sythetic. Your truck will not catastrophically explode if you put in something heavier like 5w30, but 5w20 is called out for use in the owners manual so that is what I use. Why are you thinking of going thicker?

bigredFX4crew

some people round here say if i went full sythetic, it would mess the oil pump up some how.

JaredTanner

I have never heard that one before (not sure if it is true or not) but I would say you are fine to switch. Its usually best to stick with one kind of oil though. If you decide to go full sythetic, stay with full synthetic. When I bought my truck it had 96000 miles. It had conventional oil in it. I swapped to full sythetic and after about 1000 miles changed the oil again with full sythetic to make sure all the conventional was removed. Never had any problems with it, but only have about 5000 miles on it.