The 2004 model year marked the sixth generation for Ford’s best-selling pickup, the F-150. This generational change brought the classic truck form back to the F-150 badge, as Ford eliminated the bubble body style the F-150 had used since 1997. The 2004 F-150 used a small electric fan to circulate the heated or cooled air throughout its cabin. Replacing this blower motor is not overly difficult, but it does require care while removing the A-pillar trim panel.
Adjust the driver’s seat as far back as it will go. Pull outward on the lower, right-side A-pillar trim to unfasten its retaining clips and pull it out of the pickup; notice that the kick panel is a part of this panel.
Grab the carpeting that routes under the dashboard and pull it downward, exposing the blower motor.
Pull upward on the locking tab on the blower motor wiring harness, and pull the wiring harness from the blower motor. Remove the three blower motor screws with a ratchet and socket, and lower the blower motor out of the HVAC box.
Pull the clip holding the fan wheel to the blower motor’s output shaft upward and off the shaft, using a set of needle-nose pliers. Pull the fan wheel off the blower motor’s shaft.
Slide the fan onto the new blower motor’s shaft until it reaches the base of the shaft. Line up a new fan-retaining clip -- included with the blower motor -- with the groove in the motor’s shaft, just above the fan. Press the clip into the groove until it seats into place.
Guide the fan and blower motor back into the HVAC box and hand-tighten its retaining screws. Tighten the blower motor screws with a ratchet and socket. Plug the wiring harness into the receptacle on the new blower motor.
Pull the carpeting back up into place. Set the right-side A-pillar trim panel into place, lining up its retaining clips with the slots in the A-pillar. Press the panel onto the A-pillar until the clips snap into place in the slots.
