'nother newbie--2000 F-150 build

[Moose_God]

Just thought I'd introduce myself and my build...I'm hailing from Jeepforum.com and I have sold the Jeep but the sense of adventure is alive and well. I just picked up a 2000 F-150 supercab (specs in sig) and am still trying to figure out which direction to go with the build, but the basics are coming along slowly. I want a clean looking ride, but also be able to tow/haul/camp/run mild trails etc (probably asking too much, I know.)

I want to maintain reliability and comfort for long highway trips (learned my lesson with the Jeep--vehicles lifted 6"+ aren't the most comfortable at 70mph, regardless of gearing) so probably only going to crank the t-bars for now and maybe upgrade to some 285/75s when I get some more miles on my current tires. Number one issue is to figure out my random misfire issue (no codes, replaced 3 COPs already, Motorcraft plugs, etc) and odd vibration over 55mph. I'm going to try and not go crazy with the performance stuff either, maybe a good programmer, intake, and better exhaust setup.

I'm trying to figure out a good removable camper setup for longer trips so I can still have a good looking (and unloaded) truck to cruise around town in. If anybody has any ideas/pics I'd love to see 'em.

Here's probably the best pic I have so far:

And in the name of comfort, the work-truck bench had to go to make room for these:

Not much progress on the expedition rig front yet, other than adding front tow hooks and throwing a high-lift jack in the bed, but as I do a little more research and planning it will come together.


...edit... thought I'd throw in a pic of the previous rig for good measure as well:

 

[mustangwarrior]

nice truck, glad to see the sudden burst of F150s on here:wings:

 

[DuvaFX4]

Welcome! Can you give us a little better description on when this "Random" missfire happens so we can try to help find the problem. If you havent already there are a few f150 forums, there is decent information on there but if you search through the junk there are helpful threads on there. But i had 2001 f150 screw with the 4.6 and i was getting a random missfire and vibration as well with no code it did end up being a bad coil. I had just washed the engine bay and i think thats what got it. But if you did three plugs and coils all ready I would change the rest while your at it and if it still misses then on to the next troubleshooting step! Keep us posted on the build!

 

[Ala5ka]

Now I'm not taking credit for recruiting all of the F150's but I've been plastering the net with the words "EXPEDITION PORTAL" haha jk
Take a look at my rig in my sig to see if this is the kind of thing you are thinking of, we basically have the same truck
The misfire problem happened to me, it can be either be an old fuel filter, plugs that aren't gapped properly or...if you powerwash your engine you could have gotten water in the coil, because our truck has a coil on design (i don't know why) each and every cylinder/spark plug has its own coil mounted on top. Find the one that misfiring and replace it with better than stock, the new coils are spendy though at $55-$75 a pop.

 

[Moose_God]

I have looked around on the F-150 forums quite a bit but you guys are right about all the junk threads, much more useful tech and more interesting builds here...

When I first bought the truck it had the misfire (presumably due to the dealer powerwashing the engine), so I tried the "unplug coil wires until you find the bad one" method and replaced one COP. Ran fine for a couple days, then started missing again. This time it threw a code, so I replaced the appropriate coil after having the codes read at Autozone (about all they're good for). Replaced all of the plugs with Motorcraft units from the dealer and cleaned the MAF sensor. Fixed it again, then it started missing again, this time on the #3 cylinder. Replaced ANOTHER faulty coil, now it's missing AGAIN.

I'm not sure what the deal is, I haven't replaced the same coil twice so the O'Reilly (Borg/Warner) COPs seem to be holding up. I'm about fed up enough with it to just drop it off at the dealer and pay their outrageous prices to "stress test" the COPs and find out which ones are weak.

Probably could use a good cleaning of the throttle body/egr/etc as well, but I'm not sure I want to tackle that until the weather warms up a little bit.

 

[Moose_God]

Forgot to add that I did take good care to gap the plugs properly, and even bought a new fuel filter, but couldn't get the old one off. Even with the truck on a lift, two types of fuel-line disconnects, and a generous amount of PB blaster. :ar15: Think I may just let it be the quick lube's problem...

 

[Ala5ka]

Moose God I would get that old filter off, it will do wonders, the filter has to be removed with a little tool, get the right diameter one, and it pops off easy, that should do the trick. I don;t know the size of it but the tool you need is the blue one, if they are anything like electrical components they will be color coordinated...you'd think

 

[Ozarker]

Well Ala5ka, you can take the credit for enlisting yet another newbie with an F-150! Mine is a '99 with 71K, 4x4 extended cab with the towing package. I just came from another thread on this site talking about what vehicle would be best and the good folks here convinced me to stick with what I have. So guess my primary "expedition (lol)" vehicle will be the F-150. My goal is very close to the OP, camper and still use it in town or when the family needs to move a washing machine. I'll be following this build as a guide, so do good!

 

[marshal]

spyder6 from Jeepforum here