You may be able to replace the entire bed with a rust free used one as cheaply or cheaper. You may even get lucky enough to find one in the same color. One thing I've learned about winters in the north is that if one quarter is rusty then the other one isn't far behind. I live in northern Indiana and just saw an 04-05 F150 with rust through on the quarters just above the rear tires like the 80-96's do. That's the first one I've seen like that. I have seen some Dodges rusted out in that age range, but that's the first F150.

 

Damn, I really liked that truck too. So the consensus is don't buy, because of the rust issue, unless I can find a new bed? You can't just swap out sections, and replacing the metal would be an option if I want to pay the $, that about sum it up?

How difficult/expensive is it to install automatic door/window power from a manual? Found a decent looking XL that the dealer promised has no rust (obviously I'm checkin it out), but I really want powered windows/doors.

 

If the wiring is in there, it wouldn't be that difficult to convert to power window/locks. But for me, manual roll up windows wouldn't be that big of a deal. At least with manual roll up windows you can roll them up without the key on. You can always upgrade to leather or nicer upholstery and there are many interior kits that can spruce up the interior. If the mechanicals are what you want, I'd give it a look.

 

That's true, just found this guy here, so the four I'm looking at currently are

2004 XLT For $8,9 with 145k (search stock number M53948A)

This one has some rust under the bed, not sure how much but the mechanic said he'd give it a year before it would eat through the crap paint job the previous owner did to cover it up.

05 XL For $11,750 with 109k miles

No power anything, and I'd like to consider that in the total purchase price, at least door locks, so that would be a little more expensive, but obviously this has the least mileage. Haven't seen this one in person so can't comment, but the dealer understood my concern since I was 1 1/2 hours away, and promised there was no rust on the undercarriage. Also has a 4.7 liter. Finally I couldn't find this on the dealer's site, but I also couldn't find anything besides 09+ Silverados, so I'm not sure what the deal is.

04 FX4 For $11,4 With 132k

This one, the guy said there were some cosmetic issues, but all I can find is a scuffed up floor, whatever that brown sticky thing is on the dash, and some sort of salty looking creep on the front bumper. Oh and the seat's torn. But seat covers, floor mats, and at most repainting the bumpers would fix that? I can't see any body problems, but I can't really tell with all that glare. Can you guys?


04 Lariat For $11,9 With 125k

Just saw this one today, I really like the look of it obviously, and haven't talked to the dealer at all so don't really have any information on it. Does the Lariat edition have the same ehanced shocks and extra skid plates as the FX4?



Well those are the four on my list, the first one was discussed in the previous page, and I'm going to check out the last two tomorrow, I'l let you guys know what I find out!

 

The 04 Lariat would be nice pick. Has really nice color in dark red. And is pretty loaded, the heat seats would be a plus for the long winter in your area.
Of course, it all depends on the overall condition, mechanical and driving part as well as bodywise (looking at the photos, looks like the body department won't be an issue). In this mileage, I would expect normal wear and tear items need attention such as shocks/brakes and so forth. Yet, I wouldn't be surprised if this Lariat wouldn't last long on the lot.

To answer your question on the performance shocks and skid plates on the Lariat and FX4. Usually the Lariat has factory shocks, but when it's time to replace, you can easily get either Rancho or Bilstein shocks to upgrade from the factory. Maybe it already got the upgraded shocks from previous owner. Skid plate usually come on higher end 4x4 such as Lariat, but it's option package.

 

If I were you I would keep looking. I just picked up a 2006 4x4 XL Super cab with 76,000 miles for $12000, You should look for a while longer and find a better deal. You might have to drive a hundred miles or so to get it but you could save yourself thousands. My truck is super clean inside and out. It was a steal and the moment I found it I called the dealer, made sure he still had it and jumped in the car and drove there to buy it.

 

I'd really like to have that luxury, but I really don't. I have school in two weeks, and have a lot of other stuff to keep me busy like summer classes, my job six days a week, and getting ready to head up to school. My parents both work full time, usually till 5-9 respectively, and my brother's quite the cheap *** about letting me borrow his car. We've been looking for three weeks within a hundred mile radius and this is what we've got, so I honestly don't think I'll be able to wait or travel any longer. I'd love to, but I just don't think I can.

and Dilas, thanks for the info. I'll let you guys know what I find!

 

The XL I bought has aftermarket electric windows and door locks. It looks easy enough to install but in my case the window motors aren't grounded out well so they are slow going up, just have to take the door panels off and have a look. But instillation seems easy enough.

 

I would not rule out the 05 silver EC XLT at Apple Ford either. The price and mileage are close to what you've been looking at.

 

Well guys we found another option, its an 04 FX4 with great options, leather seats, moon roof, center shifter, and a carpeted velcro-on bed with tonneau cover. It's $9,5 with 155k miles, and at a glance all I saw wrong was a bit of rust.







About all I can tell you is the rust under the gas cap doesn't appear to have gotten to the underside yet, so hopefully its just surface rust? What do you guys think.

 

Did you check out that 2004 Dark Red Lariat?

 

sold the day the ad went up lol. So what do you guys think about those rust spots? Not too big of an issue?

 

I probably would pass on it. The rust has already begun to pit the steel. It can be fixed, but the metal would likely be a little thinner there on already thin from the factory metal. I'd keep looking and be very patient. When shopping for a vehicle patience is a virtue and will reward you. You probably can find one with lower mileage if you're patient. Just keep looking constantly and be patient. The longer it takes the better your chances are of finding the right F150. And that should be the ultimate outcome; finding the right F150.

 

I would take my time looking for a truck and would buy a truck from the south versus the north any day of the week. I have a 2004 FX4 with no rust at all anywhere! I recommend looking in areas likde North Carolina, Tennessee and similar southern states. Check Autotrader.com, I saw a 2004 with only 10K miles on it but was from California or something but at least you get a good truck even though it was from furtther away.

Good luck!