I have a 2000 XLT 3.0. 230k. I notice after driving the truck on a dirt road that it feels like its not going to start (cranks longer than usual). Also on a different occasion it stalled once on the dirt road when I hit the brakes hard. It does recover afterwards.
What might cause this?
I do notice sometimes after a long time driving that the engine seems to be wanting to stall when I am at idle.
I managed to change two spark plugs. The third in the middle is blocked by the oil dipstick tube. On the other side I am just scared of snapping them. I didn't do any wires or the cap.
I just wanted to know why it might happen more when riding on a rough road. Where to look maybe.

 

Clean the MAF sensor and change the air cleaner

Also replace PCV valve every 3 oil changes, if you haven't done that do it now

 

Well as you may have read in a separate post my dipstick for my oil has some issues due to a non flared dipstick tube. So I couldn't accurately check my oil. I had a drip at the oil pan plug. It was never on the ground but there was always a drip of oil there. Oil needle started to jump around. So I started to think I might have an oil issue. Also a tick developed a few months ago. So I am pretty sure I was low on oil. I did a change after 3000 and the truck immediately got better. It did try to stall right after the change but now it doesn't try to stall at all. I replaced the plug and no drip. I added 4.5 quarts and it looks like the dipstick does in fact tell the true amount. So.... hopefully it isn't damaged too badly. Everything is running. I did not blow the engine.