That's the splash/dust guard for the caliper.

 

Yes that thing...

 

I have seen hundreds of those axles and never seen a caliper splash guard...

 

Mine no lookie like drum brake.

/shrug

 

I know right? I never understood how people could let things so easily fixed go like that.

 

Ok, bought the vininsure thing first. Seems pretty blank, not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. How do I add an attachment to a post so I can post the file from the vininsure site.

 

What do you mean blank? You said there were 33 items.

 

Must be a 2000 thing. Mine looks just like that, it's some sort of a guard for the caliper.

 

Is it just on one side?

 

Mine is a MY 2000 and my truck does not have that.

 

I wouldn't put all my faith in car fax either, they don't show everything and or all things.
I'm new here and to the Ex but not to trucks and cars and Fords. Ford all my life.
It's used, they don't make them anymore,I don't see where you can go wrong if it's mechanically sound,look at the truck and drive it and let the wife pick it, you're the one there..
The 5.4, 6.8 and the PSD 7.3 are great motors. I'd rather have the 6.8 in the ex and a diesel in a pickup or work truck. Good luck, nice looking Ex.

 

All good points, thanks thx for saving me some typing.

It will need tires sooner rather than later, and some front end work to fix the tire eating.

The defrost issue suggests a vacuum leak. Usually the ESOF system. Were you able to test the 4WD and hubs locking?

It really looks ill maintained in general. Air filter is toast and has been for a while. Engine bay hasn't been clean since it left the factory.

It's moderately rusty IMHO. Not beyond the point of no return, but in serious need of the "Christina" treatment.

You mentioned the power increase wasn't too dramatic over your 5.4. Is the truck overall nicer than yours? Interior better than yours or worse?

If it's all the same, then what are you gaining? 4WD and a bit more power?

It's 4K and I think it's safe to say it will need at least 2K and a fair amount of work put into it.

If you just wanted a run of the mill EX to drive for a while, then fine. You want to keep it for a long long time, so I'd be pickier.

You really need to see one from out west to appreciate the difference. This isn't the best picture, and it's definitely not an EX. 2003 Toyota from New Mexico. Anything brown you see is dust. Sure would be nicer to start with this.

 

Just on that side. On the other side, the caliper is behind the wheel. I think they were like that for a short period of production. I recall having an issue finding the correct caliper for the left rear.

 

OK, After a little research I found out what it is. It is a dust shield for calipers that are toward the front of axle(left side)...and yes they came both(toward the rear of axle)ways in 2000. Not sure about other years.

 

I still can't get over some of the rust found on those trucks back east. I guess you could say that I lucked out with mine, almost no rust anywhere, and it has spent a good chuck of its life in the salty air of the west coast of Oregon. Thankfully they do not salt the roads out here!

Here is a link to pics of the underside of mine to make you jealous.

I am still simply amazed that you would think that red Ex is nice when it comes down to rust.