Thoughts on 02 F450 dump

[ROUSTABOUT]

I have taken vinyl siding coil stock and riveted it over rusted rocker panels. Buy you some time.

 

[aczlan]

I only drive Ford's. Daily has 250,000 miles on it. Never seen a spark plug blow out. Parents drive Ford, brother drives Ford. Brother has a V 10 bucket truck also, drives it as a work truck. I have seen the glass part spit out, but that can happen to any gas engine. Sisters family Ford too.

Ford had an issue with multi-piece plugs coming apart when you removed them due to how they were built with a long snout sticking out past the threads that would build up carbon and then take the plug apart when you tried to remove it.
They also had issues with not enough thread engagement (3.5 threads sticks out in my mind), so if you had any issues putting the plug back in or if the last few threads got messed up removing the multi-piece plug, there wasn't enough thread left to hold the new plug in.

The fix is single piece plugs with more thread replaced every 30,000 to 50,000 miles rather than the 100,000 miles that Ford specifies.

Aaron Z

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Ford had an issue with multi-piece plugs coming apart when you removed them due to how they were built with a long snout sticking out past the threads that would build up carbon and then take the plug apart when you tried to remove it.
They also had issues with not enough thread engagement (3.5 threads sticks out in my mind), so if you had any issues putting the plug back in or if the last few threads got messed up removing the multi-piece plug, there wasn't enough thread left to hold the new plug in.

The fix is single piece plugs with more thread replaced every 30,000 to 50,000 miles rather than the 100,000 miles that Ford specifies.

Aaron Z

I've probably swapped a solid 200 or more of the 4.6 and 5.4 engines. I have never seen the plug problem. I changed my neighbors plugs on a 5.4, truck had 289,000 miles, first plug change. No problem with it. I've just never seen it, not saying it ain't out there.

 

[crashz]

Roust, I think a lot of the plug issues were corrosion related too. I'm guessing that the trucks down where you are see much less if any road salt. Also from what I remember reading and been told (no first hand knowledge) the 5.4 and the v10 were prone to the issues. The 4.6 didn't seem to have as many issues with plugs.

 

[Hay Dude]

I've probably swapped a solid 200 or more of the 4.6 and 5.4 engines. I have never seen the plug problem. I changed my neighbors plugs on a 5.4, truck had 289,000 miles, first plug change. No problem with it. I've just never seen it, not saying it ain't out there.

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dieseliq.com

I’m not a Ford hater. All brands suck. lol

 

[jjeff]

I've probably swapped a solid 200 or more of the 4.6 and 5.4 engines. I have never seen the plug problem. I changed my neighbors plugs on a 5.4, truck had 289,000 miles, first plug change. No problem with it. I've just never seen it, not saying it ain't out there.

Imo folks will always take the time to publicly complain of the problems and headaches they have had but rarely will you here about the strength and durability of these trucks. As for spitting out spark plugs an old timer I knew used to use anti seize on plug threads on top of a few other back woods cobbles when he replaced plugs did it work? I guess never talked about problems with the tritons like others.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

The 3 Most Common Ford 6.8L Triton V10 Engine Problems

How reliable is Ford's 6.8L Triton V10 Engine? Read about common engine problems including exhaust manifold cracks, spark plug blowout, etc.

dieseliq.com

I’m not a Ford hater. All brands suck. lol

I know, but on the internet you will only hear from the trouble cases. Only thing that scares me is an International with a bad EGR cooler. I just replaced one, plus did the oil cooler too, just because I already was disassembled enough to do it while I was there. It was also a pain because it was parked in a chicken manure shed 20 miles from town. But I pulled it off and got it going. Problem is EGR cooler bolts to exhaust manifold. I heated and oiled them bolts for a week. One broke in manifold. 75 miles to go get parts. Manifold was made in three sections, so then I had to take it apart and install new section. It heated and slipped inside the other section, no bolts. So I get it all ready, heavy, awkward, no help, and it had slipped together too far. Bolts wouldn't go. Back off, re heat, knock it apart a little, worked that time. Had to take turbo and all off.

Then, they ganged up on me. Owner and three grown sons, oldest is 40. Said they done talked to so and so and he said that wasn't the problem with these trucks. Other words, that I was wrong.

That's when my finger was held up vertical and wagging back and forth. I done listened to you, so now you gonna listen to me. After I fix this thing, and oil doesn't fill the radiator any more, I won't work on it anymore, how's that? The old daddy was sitting on a front tractor tire, jumped up, no no no no no. Waving his hands sideways like an umpire saying somebody safe in a ball game.

It went back together and we been using the heck out of it. It was the manure spreader truck. I still work on it. It just broke one of the shafts on the hydraulic drive for one of the spinners on the back. I could mail it to Oklahoma city and they'd fix for 800.00, just imagine shipping, but I found a place in Georgia that sold me the guts for 300.00 shipped so I did it myself. Works fine, don't leak, spins good.

 

[jjeff]

The 3 Most Common Ford 6.8L Triton V10 Engine Problems

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dieseliq.com

I’m not a Ford hater. All brands suck. lol

For me it's always been a matter if the equipment can get the job done especially if it's older and inexpensive, rarely cared about what it looked like or if creature comfort and conveniences worked never allowing me to be nickel and dimed by a broken dented passenger door ( that's what bungee chords are for lol) to me splurging on something is putting cheap used sometimes cracked fender flares on dented perforated fenders to help keep mud off the windshield)rusted out rocker panels, or faulty instrument lights, etc don't bother me. Plus if the equipment is not show room qaulity you can comfortably add backwoods modifications that I'd never do to newer more expensive stuff. I probably cater to similar folks when I sell used "junk" factoring in to selling price (when I can't find more uses for it), all the money I saved using it, instead of hiring it out and saved by backwoods non OEM approved fixes. I'm still a strong believer in OEM approved pm on equipment usually a little bit above. Granted I'm not commercial so I can get away with what some would consider "butchery" a lot easier than most operations. I guess that labels me as a machinery "cobbler" operating somewhat reliably, safely on gravel roads, two tracks, and my various properties for a few decades lol.

 

[jjeff]

Ok so all this talk of smaller dump trucks got me interested in them again so I tried placing a prebid on an old 30+ yr old Dodge rwd gasser dump truck to my surprise (not really) my prebid was more than what I paid for my original GMC 3500 didn't even come close to a qualifying bid. The auction hasn't even started yet and the truck appears to visually be in worse condition then when I bought mine and my truck was 4 yrs newer . Good luck buying 1ton + used up dump trucks at reasonable prices in this day and age.

 

[jjeff]

Apologies for the hijacked meme but only 6 hrs left to bid on this gem. My prediction 2500.00+ not including buyers fees.

 

[crashz]

That Dodge looks pretty clean. Nice truck for the money. While I love my Ford, I really like the simplicity of a square body GM or Dodge, 2wd, with small block v8. Be even sweeter with a simple 4 speed trans.

Are you bidding on it Jeff?

 

[jjeff]

That Dodge looks pretty clean. Nice truck for the money. While I love my Ford, I really like the simplicity of a square body GM or Dodge, 2wd, with small block v8. Be even sweeter with a simple 4 speed trans.

Are you bidding on it Jeff?

Lol not anymore and if I was I sure as heck wouldn't make it known on a public forum. it's me ranting frustration when a truck like this would go for around 1k a few years ago. Paid a lot less than 1k for my 94 gmc over 10 yrs ago. Look it up online you will see pictures why I labeled it a "gem". Seems like these days one mans junk is everyone's treasure .

 

[crashz]

I know what you mean.

I see a few GMs for sale in the Northeast here. They are mostly rust and holes, with only a faint outline of the truck they used to be. Kinda like ghost trucks. Still fetching $2500 or more. Sold as "running" or "good drive train". It really is ridiculous.

 

[jjeff]

I know what you mean.

I see a few GMs for sale in the Northeast here. They are mostly rust and holes, with only a faint outline of the truck they used to be. Kinda like ghost trucks. Still fetching $2500 or more. Sold as "running" or "good drive train". It really is ridiculous.

With all the fees at this consignment auction house north of 3k total. Way more than I'd pay. Admittedly Im kind of addicted to hoarding old junk very cheap or free and making it work good enough for me lol not like I need more projects.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I had an 04' E450 box truck with a V10, like 185k miles. Engine ran strong but thirsty. I had heard that the earlier V10 had plug issues but never looked to far into it. When i changed out the plugs just to see if they needed it, i first blew out the "well" the best i could. Then i sprayed some WD around the plugs then i slightly tightened the plugs before removing them. No problem.

Only issue i ever had was when the engine temp was acting up and it cut off half the cylinders. I thought it was the guage so i picked up a new sending unit. Then i discovered that the 04' anyway only used an air sensor in the left bank. Three auto parts shops in my town and no one knew that. Even had one get a box with the right sensor number on the box and the wrong sensor inside, lol.

I agree that i would buy the truck and if the cab was that bad then replace the cab.

 

[Hay Dude]

I had an 04' E450 box truck with a V10, like 185k miles. Engine ran strong but thirsty. I had heard that the earlier V10 had plug issues but never looked to far into it. When i changed out the plugs just to see if they needed it, i first blew out the "well" the best i could. Then i sprayed some WD around the plugs then i slightly tightened the plugs before removing them. No problem.

Only issue i ever had was when the engine temp was acting up and it cut off half the cylinders. I thought it was the guage so i picked up a new sending unit. Then i discovered that the 04' anyway only used an air sensor in the left bank. Three auto parts shops in my town and no one knew that. Even had one get a box with the right sensor number on the box and the wrong sensor inside, lol.

I agree that i would buy the truck and if the cab was that bad then replace the cab.

Thats because the problem was addressed after ‘02

 

[Joel/ak]

With all the fees at this consignment auction house north of 3k total. Way more than I'd pay. Admittedly Im kind of addicted to hoarding old junk very cheap or free and making it work good enough for me lol not like I need more projects.

I check out that auction site all the time. Usually just for fun.

You never know what you will find

 

[tlj87]

Update: I drove the truck about 30 miles the other day. It drove great and it was fun to drive a six speed… it’s been a while. There is some (what I believe to be) throw out bearing noise at idle, but not when clutch is depressed. Truck is going to my mechanic Thursday to be looked over. In my more recent inspection, it seems the truck frame, spring mounts are good. The dump bed subframe where it mounts to the truck frame needs some patching in one spot. The inside of the bed was RE floored but the underside could use some patches. As I already know, the cab bottom is rough. A new cab might be the best bet but the idea scares me a bit.

Some additional photos:

 

[AWSubie]

Go to YouTube and search ford cab replacement.

U won’t think it is scary. No denying It’s a big job but not that scary.

 

[tlj87]

Mechanic said truck is OK mechanically but the cab would prevent it from passing PA state inspection. I have a contact that works at a large auto recycler. He has a cab with front fenders for $650 that is clean. He’s looking for some good doors for me. I think I’m going to proceed. Owner wants to keep the truck until May when the inspection runs out. (He has a brand new 2022 f450 dump that he’s putting off using until he can’t use the old one anymore). I can borrow the old truck as needed this spring until then. In the meantime I will get the cab and start to mentally prepare myself for the switch over which I hope I can figure out. I may see about getting the floor of the new cab sandblasted and line-x coated before installing. I did watch some YT videos of cab removal on these and it doesn’t look terrible, but none of them involved swapping the entire interior, etc. over.