Tom, did you paint the bottom of yours or did it come that way? Most of the SSVs I've seen are solid color.

 

Mine is a Plain Jane XLT, not an SSV, so it has the typical '05 XLT painted lower body cladding.

 

Why does that sound like the opening line to a novel, LOL!

Stewart

 

This is interesting to follow along to. I also would love to know what the government used it for.

 

Mine was a DOT survey truck. I purchased it directly from the state with around 172K miles on it. Steel wheels, vinyl floor, cloth front bench, cloth 2nd row and no 3rd row or rear air/heat. Nothing in the jack compartment other than jack. There was a "Bug's Life" DVD jammed into the CD player (which broke cd load function). I'm assuming that having no cladding = SSV?

 

What a cool truck! Needs a big, black utilitarian looking bumper on the front, (not one of the modern, angular ones) a steel Tuffy console in the middle and an American flag sticker on the back and thats it!

 

... Or XLT?

 

XLT still has cladding. Just different than limited.

 

Wasn't there also an XL offered in the early years that was free of cladding and used the little stone guards to fill the quarter panel holes?

 

Yes, that's what I have.

 

I know right? I was thinking the same thing. If there was an envelope or an old micro cassette tape in there, it would have been perfect.

 

Had the truck a few weeks now. New grille, super duty style badges, chrome wheel centers and lights. she's runs well and apart from a few nicks and scratches she looks pretty good certainly good for a 15 year old vehicle. Inside is perfect.

 

Looking good! I like the black steel wheel with chrome center cap look.

 

The coin may be from the Secret Service Mobility Program. Everything supporting POTUS travel and is out-sized, flies USAF heavy air/grey tail. You have a piece of history there... Nice find. Cheers, G

 

Rear lights installed