joshjohnson93

Hey all, my buddy is considering buying a used 2003 XLT with a 5.4L, and I told him I would ask you guys if there is anything he should watch out/look for when are test driving it. Any certain noises or vibrations we should look out for, or any things that commonly go wrong with this year. Also any particular things he should do when/if he gets it would be appreciated. This is the truck:

http://www.norlanchrysler.com/used/2..._w/2148038?seo

Thanks for your time.

-Josh

01fiddy

Check the usual, ball joints, fluid leaks, make sure electric stuff works, check bushing on the sway bar, look for intake leak around the coil pack, when driving it make sure it doesn't stumble, squeal, rattle, shimmy. main thing on these trucks specifically is coil packs, intake and gasket, and the odometer. All of which are pretty easy but problems to look for. That is all I have for now, any other questions?

01fiddy

Oh and another warning, some of these models like to eject spark plugs threads and all. Also cheap but something that can happen.

joshjohnson93

A few, but that was exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for, I'll make sure I go through those things.
1) Where does the intake usually leak from?

2) What do I look for regarding the coil packs?

joshjohnson93

Oh I just re-read your post, and I see that they leak around the coil packs lol.

03lightning450HP

Yep they like to spit out spark plugs you will begin to hear a ticking noise from the side of the truck when its gettin ready to shoot one out also check and make sure theres not a lot of play in the steering wheel

joshjohnson93

Is there anything you can do to prevent them for blowing the plugs? Like will changing them out stop this from happening?

My03fx4

Check the shocks too. When i bought my 03 i had to replace them myself instead of making the dealer do it. But what do you expect from a 9 year old truck with the orignal rancho's. Oh and if its 4x4 find a gravel or dirt road and put it in 4 and spin the tires to make sure it works.

And you can make sure the plugs are torqued down tight. Im not to sure about the specs but i remember the factory specs arent tight enough.

03lightning450HP

Not really it was Ford fault by not putting enough threads for the spark plug but if you never run into that problem be very careful changing them out make sure you put the right amount of torque so they'll stay in also another problem they have is the spark plugs will get siezed inside the head and the spark plug will break off

01fiddy

There's nothing really you can do to prevent it. Just if you do plugs make sure it's done correctly.