New to me 2001 F250

[Sasquatch4100]

Just picked up a new to me 2001 F250 super duty with the V10 crew cab 4x4 off road edition.:cool2: It's in superb condition, but does have a few issues. The shifter needs adjusted as it won't manually shift to 1st. All the other gears are fine, but the shifter runs out of space before it can get to it. I read there's a simple adjustment for that and will look tomorrow. Also there's something slightly loose in the front end and it seems to wander a bit at high speeds. Pretty sure it's just a tie rod or something.

Have any of you owned one of these and is there anything I should check for?

 

[Martian]

Just picked up a new to me 2001 F250 super duty with the V10 crew cab 4x4 off road edition.:cool2: It's in superb condition, but does have a few issues. The shifter needs adjusted as it won't manually shift to 1st. All the other gears are fine, but the shifter runs out of space before it can get to it. I read there's a simple adjustment for that and will look tomorrow. Also there's something slightly loose in the front end and it seems to wander a bit at high speeds. Pretty sure it's just a tie rod or something.

Have any of you owned one of these and is there anything I should check for?

Nice truck. Have the same thing. 01 F250 V10 but no off road and from the way you talk I think your saying manual tranny - I have an automatic. Been trouble free so far. Used it more a couple years ago when I was traveling a lot with horse shows but have since got out and its got about 1000 miles the last 3 years.

 

[Sasquatch4100]

It's an auto. I was talking about the column shift not being able to get into first. First is obviously working, but when out try to use the column shifter to use the manual sector or "gate" in first it can't get there. R N D 2 1. I read that it uses a cable and rod and that there's a few screws that come loose and possibly a knob underneath the dash that can be adjusted to properly align it so you can activate all "gates" in the shifter. Hope that clarifies it. I know I can be confusing when I try to explain things.

 

[Martian]

It's an auto. I was talking about the column shift not being able to get into first. First is obviously working, but when out try to use the column shifter to use the manual sector or "gate" in first it can't get there. R N D 2 1. I read that it uses a cable and rod and that there's a few screws that come loose and possibly a knob underneath the dash that can be adjusted to properly align it so you can activate all "gates" in the shifter. Hope that clarifies it. I know I can be confusing when I try to explain things.

Oh, I understand, so it seems to be more the shifter and not the tranny, is that correct. If so that's a lot better problem to be having. Either way its a really good truck and I'm sure you'll be pleased:thumbsup:

 

[dstig1]

Ball joints are a common weak point on the SDs. Could be the source of your wander. The steering box is another possibility. And yes could be tie rods too. The easy part is getting under the truck to check - no jack required!

 

[CurlyDave]

...Have any of you owned one of these and is there anything I should check for?

The big thing to worry about in this vintage of Ford gassers is the spark plugs. It was a bad design and there is tendency for the plugs to break off or take out the threads in the heads due to carbon build up on threads which protrude into the combustion chamber.

Unless you know for sure the plugs have been changed, I would take it to a dealer and have the plugs changed. A dealer may charge a bit more, but the mechanics have seen this issue and can frequently get the plugs out with no problems. They then put anti-sieze on the threads of the new ones and you are good to go for 100k miles.

I just had this done on my 2000 F-150 V-8. The V-10 is the same basic design, it was modular for either a V-8 or V-10. Cost was $350. You will pay a bit more because you have two more cylinders.

 

[dstig1]

Dave - You're crossing-up models. The early modular Ford engines would spit out plugs. They had only a couple threads holding them into an alum head, and it was easy to mis-torque them, strip threads, etc, and they could work themselves loose with time and heat cycles. Then "Ptui" out a plug would come and you would need to do a helicoil repair.

The later versions when they went to 3 valves (mine is one) are the ones that seize in the head and break off sometimes. After a couple years of that Ford changed the plug design and supposedly fixed that issue.

The F150 and SD series were not always in sync in the versions they used. I believe the 3V 5.4 was in the F150 a year or two before it was in the SD (started in 05 in the SD).

 

[Sasquatch4100]

Thanks guys! I've already ordered a service manual, some floor liners and down loaded the owners manual from the ford site.

I'll need to clear some space in the shop then I'll get it up on stands and give it a thorough going through. Can't tell you how nice it is to have a truck again! Just a few bugs to work out and she'll be fine.

 

[dmccarty]

Go to the 1999-2007 Ford Super Duties - Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com website. While the site is focused on diesels, your problem does not sound unique to the engine. The site has quite a bit of very useful info on Ford SD trucks. Years ago the website had F O R D in the website name, which Ford did not like, so they website name had to change.

Later,
Dan

 

[Tomtint]

I have a 09 F350 drw with the V10. It has great power and tows better than any diesel I have ever had. The one problem I had was that the exhaust manifold gaskets and heat shields went at 14,000 miles. It was under warranty but wow, 14k. I would not want to pay for it out of pocket.

 

[tcartwri]

It's an auto. I was talking about the column shift not being able to get into first. First is obviously working, but when out try to use the column shifter to use the manual sector or "gate" in first it can't get there. R N D 2 1. I read that it uses a cable and rod and that there's a few screws that come loose and possibly a knob underneath the dash that can be adjusted to properly align it so you can activate all "gates" in the shifter. Hope that clarifies it. I know I can be confusing when I try to explain things.

I believe thats normal in that era of truck. If you pull it all the way down and start from a stop it should stay in 1. You can't downshift to 1 though if you're already rolling.

 

[bearhawk]

Dave - You're crossing-up models. The early modular Ford engines would spit out plugs. They had only a couple threads holding them into an alum head, and it was easy to mis-torque them, strip threads, etc, and they could work themselves loose with time and heat cycles. Then "Ptui" out a plug would come and you would need to do a helicoil repair.

The later versions when they went to 3 valves (mine is one) are the ones that seize in the head and break off sometimes. After a couple years of that Ford changed the plug design and supposedly fixed that issue.

The F150 and SD series were not always in sync in the versions they used. I believe the 3V 5.4 was in the F150 a year or two before it was in the SD (started in 05 in the SD).

Not sure who is right, but my 2002 5.4 in my F350 has spit out 2 plugs in the 4 years I have had it. figure on 350 - 450 each time

 

[dstig1]

Yeah I think it was 03 that they fixed the spitting issue...

 

[Sasquatch4100]

Yuck! Hope I don't have that plug issue. Mines the V10. Not sure how much in common it has with the 5.4.

The shifter is more and more looking like an adjustment issue. Paid more attention to it today and the gates are a tad off. I'll have to clear some room in the shop and get the wife up in the cab to move the steering to inspect the tie rods. Noticed it has a Banks air filter intake kit on it:thumbsup: and a aftermarket exhaust of some kind. It really scoots for a big truck. Also has Warn hubs and Rancho shocks front and rear. I'll need to check what axle ratio it has in it. Maybe I can find a VIN break down for trim levels. It's a Lariat and seems to either have really good faux leather seats or the real thing. If it's the later I'll need to condition them. They put a real nice Kenwood radio, but the speakers stink. It has an aux in jack on the front so I'll be able to rock out with my Ipod. I got some floor liners on order and need to replace the mud flaps. They look like home made diamond plate aluminum jobs. Look neat, but flaps need to give some or it'll hurt the body. I don't want to go overboard tricking this thing out, but it's fun!

Here's a pic of my new pride and joy. Man it's nice having a truck again. My first hauls have all been Christmas stuff. Go figure

 

[dstig1]

They are identical, with the addition of 2 cylinders. Same bore centers, same bore x stroke, etc.

 

[Bob77064]

Sasquatch, good looking truck.

 

[bearhawk]

They are identical, with the addition of 2 cylinders. Same bore centers, same bore x stroke, etc.

Oh and watch the bolts holding the exhaust manifolds on, they seem to rust away to nothing. And I hear a big problem when they break off.

But it is a good looking truck you have there..

 

[jmurray01]

She looks like a good 'un!

Plus, she's a Ford, and they don't let you down!

 

[buckle97]

Great looking truck! The V10 / crew cab combination is what I will be looking for if I ever get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

 

[Phils]

I suspect the 'something loose noise' you hear in the front end is the sway bar, slapping up and down in the frame bushings. Do you basically "feel it" in the floorboards?

After much exploring underneath my '03 Superduty, I finally found the problem (if you look close you'll see the bushing centers are elongated). I wanted to replace those bushings with polyurethane.

THAT was harder than it should've been. Ford used many different diameter sway bars, with less than 1/8" difference between the sizes. Use a micrometer to measure the diameter... a ruler is not accurate enough.

I eventually located the right size in polyurethane, changed them, and haven't had that knock in the floor since.

I drove a friends F250 later that year, noticed the same noise and commented that "it's the sway bar bushings". My friend owns an auto repair shop and said "...yeah, I've changed them before but they don't last long...". Seems to be a regular problem with these trucks.

And another GREAT forum for these trucks is Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Ford truck and SUV owners and enthusiasts Community And Information Source.

Phil