.....there are any performance mods on my truck? I'm referring to a Supechip or the "cat back exhaust" I keep reading about. I USED to work on my cars all the time but then they got so fancy with the engines that I have fallen behind a bit! What is "cat back exhaust"? I know it has something to do with the converter - that's all I can figure out!
It has the stock air filter - I cheked that right away. I want to change that but not right away. I need to get familiar with the truck as it sits before I start to change things so I know how much improvement I'll be getting from any mods.
One last question - for now! I'm using regular gas. Is that okay? I don't have an owner's manual so I can't check it. I bid on 1 at Ebay & hopefully will get that soon but till then I am going to be asking lots of questions here that normally could be answered if I had a manual to refer to.
Talk to y'all soon! Bye for now - I have some truck sites to surf!

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If you can't beat 'em, you're NOT driving a FORD!

'97 F150 XLT ORP 4X4
4.6L/auto/power EVERYTHING,
nerf bars, 17" wheels, fog lights, trailer hitch w/electrical connector, front tow hooks, bed rail caps,
6 CD changer, lumbar support & 3 cow license plates - so far!
I'll fill in the rest as I get to know the truck better BUT it's big, it's pretty & best of all - IT'S A FORD! He's SO cute!

 

Well I think a cat-back system is a single in and dual out muffler. Not like true duals of yester-year. This system I guess gives enough backpressure to not loose power?

These trucks are meant for regular gas but if you install a superchips then you will have to use super expensive fuel!

You can get lots of info and hours of reading off these boards search for flowmaster or gibson or cat-back etc...

Good luck,

And if I'm wrong or missing something I'm sure someone will help.

 

A cat-back system will be new exhaust components starting rear of the cat converter. It does not have to be single in and dual out muffler, although alot are like that, alot are single in, single out set ups. Some cat-backs are bolted on and some are welded. I would sugest looking at the muffler and see if it has an aftermarket brand name on it. The super chip will be a blue chip in the side of the trucks computer, the truck does not have a chip in it from the factory. The computer is on the passenger side of the truck, under the dash, at the side of the truck. I hope that makes sence. Another common mod is the air intake, look under the hood for a new intake, or maybe just an after market filter.

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'99 F-150 XLT SC 4x4 5.4L Auto 3.55LS Tow pkg, skid plates, keyless entry, UWS tool box, Superchip, Gibson pipes w/ Flowmaster 40 series muffler, K&N filter


[This message has been edited by NSS (edited 10-11-2000).]

[This message has been edited by NSS (edited 10-11-2000).]

 

Thanks guys! I've been looking for a good excuse to slide under the truck & now I have it! LOL!
My brother in law told me about some sort of "reset" button up under the side of the dah on the passenger side of the truck. He was looking for a switch or something to turn off some kind of air suspension. What was he talking about? He couldn't tell if I have air suspension or not but the instructions on the trucks jack said to turn it off so who knows?
What is the reset button for? Of course it was off (or is it on?) because the truck runs but why would I need to reset it & when? This truck has SO many things I have to learn about! Good thing I plan on keeping it forever! LOL!
Gotta run for now! see you later!

------------------
If you can't beat 'em, you're NOT driving a FORD!

'97 F150 XLT ORP 4X4
4.6L/auto/power EVERYTHING,
nerf bars, 17" wheels, fog lights, trailer hitch w/electrical connector, front tow hooks, bed rail caps,
6 CD changer, lumbar support & 3 cow license plates - so far!
I'll fill in the rest as I get to know the truck better BUT it's big, it's pretty & best of all - IT'S A FORD! He's SO cute!

 

Expeditions and Navigators have a "leveling" air-bag suspension system that attempts to keep the front and rear.. umm... "level". Your F150 will not have this option.

It will have a fuel pump reset switch in that area. If you are ever in an accident and the truck (undamaged) won't start afterwards, check to make sure the switch hasn't "tripped".

BTW, you can register at www.ownerconnection.com and get an electronic copy (.pdf format) of all the vehicle manuals. Print them if you like & save some $$.


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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x4 F250 SD XLT SuperCab SWB- 6.8L, Offroad Pkg, Camper Pkg, 4.30LS, Tape & CD player, Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, tinted windows, 265/75R16 OWL tires.

NoMo's site

 

Your original muffler is really HUGE. Also the original tailpipe on the 97's came out IN FRONT of the right side rear tire. If it's behind the tire then it's been moved (either by Ford or some shop). When I had my new muffler cat-back system installed, I left it in it's original position. I figured if the Lightings were that way then it must be of some benifit. The new pipes that I had installed were mandrell bent. Meaning they started as straight steel pipes and were bent to fit my truck while I watched them. Also you don't have any wrinkles or folds in the bends, just smooth pipe. Make sure you don't mess with anything forward of the muffler. That's why it's called a "CAT"-back. Do change that air filter. I installed a K&N one for about $50, I think you can buy them here at this site (check it out) Check your right side rear wheel too. The exhaust tends to cause the wheel and cover to turn this horrid green color. I used to spend a lot of time polishing that one wheel and only had to wipe down the other three. And please let all of us know how all this truck checking is coming out.

 

Ok - exhaust must be stock as it exits in front of the tire. I haven't crawled under there yet - by the time I get out of work it's getting dark already!
I have yet another question - why does the ABS light come on when I start the truck if I DON"'T have ABS?
I took the truck to my buddy who does inspections. He only found 1 minor problem - my license plate lights were out & I need a new socket for the 1 lamp. Then I asked him if it had ABS all the way around & when he checked it doesn't have ANY ABS anywhere! I'm glad personally - I'm a "pedal pumper" from way back but I can't understand the light on the instrument panel!? Could the truck have been changed? The rubber spacer for the lines for the ABS are there but of course are empty. What gives?
I'll let you know if I find anything else out but SO FAR the truck is fine. Oh yeah - I was told to get a grease needle & force some grease into the non-greasable ball joints as that is where the squeak is coming from. He had me sit in the truck while it was on the lift & quickly move the wheek back & forth as he was under the front end. Am I supposed to force grease into a spot which wasn't meant to be greased? Doesn't sound logical to me! What do you think?
Bye again!

------------------
If you can't beat 'em, you're NOT driving a FORD!

'97 F150 XLT ORP 4X4
4.6L/auto/power EVERYTHING,
nerf bars, 17" wheels, fog lights, trailer hitch w/electrical connector, front tow hooks, bed rail caps,
6 CD changer, lumbar support & 3 cow license plates - so far!
I'll fill in the rest as I get to know the truck better BUT it's big, it's pretty & best of all - IT'S A FORD! He's SO cute!

 

Since the early 90's, all Ford trucks have had at least rear ABS. Unless the previous owner disconnected them, yours does too. Even if they have been disconnected, the circuit gets "checked" on start-up. Thus, your lamp is illuminated.

 

Thanks nomo - I'll get it checked again. He couldn't find something under the hood either but I don't know exactly what he was looking for so I can't give more info.
I am spreading the word about the POSSIBLE truck rally for next year. I would love to meet everyone who has been so kind & helpful to me. I looked up the center of the US - it's Lebanon, Kansas. I have a post going - "Anybody game?" & you can read the comments there. So far, there is some interest but we'd have to pick another location as Lebanon is so small!
Spread the word & let me know what all of you think. It would be so cool to see all the trucks up close!
Take care & thanks for the info. Have a good night! Bye!

------------------
If you can't beat 'em, you're NOT driving a FORD!

'97 F150 XLT ORP 4X4
4.6L/auto/power EVERYTHING,
nerf bars, 17" wheels, fog lights, trailer hitch w/electrical connector, front tow hooks, bed rail caps,
6 CD changer, lumbar support & 3 cow license plates - so far!
I'll fill in the rest as I get to know the truck better BUT it's big, it's pretty & best of all - IT'S A FORD! He's SO cute!