ok i got it now and thats exactly how i thought it would work. my brother in-law is a master tech with ford and he is betting on a damaged or dirty MAF sensor. he told me how to clean the one i have but i may just try and get some readings before and after then might just replace it if i cant get good readings off of it. this might make sense as it acted like it backfired under load shortly before this whole problem started. so i will start with the MAF sensor when i get back at it. as of right now i'm on the way back to the hospital to see the newest member in my family.