Recent content by Larry Michael

I just had my 2010 ST V-8 LTD 4x4 into the Ford dealer to have the exhaust manifolds replaced since they had warped and two bolts were broken on each manifold. While it was in the shop I also had them diagnose a problem that my AC would stop blowing in my face when I was going up a steep hill...

I bought an OEM one from a Ford dealer in Florida a couple of years ago when they were a bit cheaper. I would not get one from a scrap yard because you would have a high likelihood of broken fasteners. The number of new ones for sale in the links given above give the choice of an OEM one or a...

All Discount Tire stores are corporate owned. It is not a franchise operation. From what I read online, they want to keep tight control over their store operations, not possible with a franchise system. I've had nothing but helpful, courteous and careful service from the two DT stores I've...

I'm also curious here. I sold my 2002 Gen 1 ten years ago when I got my 2010 Gen 2 V8 so my memory of how it worked is foggy and the transmission is probably different. But on my Gen 2, the overdrive button turns OFF the overdrive and illuminates the light to warn you that the transmission...

I believe the correct term is "clear flood mode." But do we know for sure that all years and all engines have this programming in the ECM?

I guess I'm the odd one out here in that I really like the fact that the two lighter ports in the center console of my Gen2 stays on all the time. That way I can keep my devices on when I step out of the truck for short times. I don't leave the GPS, cell phone or 2-way radio plugged in when I...

Having owned both Gen 1 and Gen 2 STs, I have often wondered why they moved the gas fill pipe to the passenger side. Much less convenient. And speaking of filler caps, I was ignorant of the very small arrow on the instrument cluster gas gauge on many (all?) cars that points to the side of...

I put one of those on both of my ST's because of that terrific vent position feature for the rear window. In hot weather I leave it open and if it rains, no water gets into the truck. With the typical tint on those units, you can't even see that the window is open unless you walk right up to...

My 2002 ST had a power rear window. I don't call it sliding because every other pickup truck out there that has a "sliding" window has one that moves from side-to-side, not up and down. I thought it was a standard feature on the ST. The 2008 brochure shows it as standard. My 2010 LTD has...

Oh yeah, U-Haul has been carrying that grudge against Ford Explorers for decades. Doesn't matter which generation of vehicle or location, it is a corporate policy. Soured me on using U-Haul for anything.

I hope you are not one of those people who insists on running his fog lights constantly. For those of us of a certain age developing cataracts (but not enough to have surgery) the additional glare is most annoying at night. While they are supposed to be pointed low, they do just spray light...

I've moved my Suzuki DRZ-400S dual-sport motorcycle in the bed of both of my STs when I've taken it longer distances. I use a receiver hitch carrier for shorter treks to trailheads when I don't want to ride the bike that far from home before hitting the trails.

The Ford dealer service advisor said I had a "small exhaust leak" and referred me to a local muffler shop. The muffler shop did a very thorough inspection and told me that several bolts on both exhaust manifolds were broken (V-8) and that Ford used cheaper bolts to hold them on. He said my...

"When you already own something close to perfection there isn't much left to do on it." My mods are: - Monroe struts (much better than OEM) that make the ride even better than when new; - 1/4" plywood covered with automotive floor cloth cut to fit the entire back area to cover the gaps when...

The multiple requests to help find a bed extender got me thinking last year when I needed to move multiple long and heavy items across the state that were longer than the 49" available in my G2 bed. The open tubular ones that used to be readily available would not suit my needs since I needed a...