Any things I should be on the lookout for with this model year's v6? Any electrical ghosts to worry about?
Right now the airbag system light flickers a bit right after starting it up, but then stays on all the time.
thanks.

 

Yes. Take a good look at the third brake light/cargo light. These are prone to leaking causing water to run down to the cab corners and rusting thru from the inside out.

The new/improved version has a much thicker gasket (you can see pics in my thread...link in sig). I obviously replaced mine. It was leaking a little and I think I caught it before anything expensive was about to happen.

From the local stealership these lights are approx$120.00 (ish). And of course ya may find 'em on eBay cheaper.

Now would be a great time for pics!!

 

I'll see if I can get this picture to work. And thanks for the advice MCS.

 

Is it the stick or auto? I bought a new third brake light assembly and got it on ebay for $79. Genuine Ford part. But when I went to remove the old one, I saw what was making it leak - the state inspection shop had to replace the stop lamp bulb and they did not clean off tree debris before taking it off or putting it back on, which resulted in a leak. Water would run down the INSIDE of the back glass. I wiped the gasket and sealing area clean with a damp cloth, then put a very small bead of silicone adhesive on the gasket. After setting it in place, I finished removing the two screws and put some silicone in the screw holes so they would seal at the shoulders. There are rubber seals in the screw holes for this purpose but after being loosened a few times, you will need to seal them. I tightened it normally and have not seen any water getting in since then. I kept the new one too, because the next time I have to take the lens off I'm going to replace it.
If the coolant looks dark, you might consider changing it. The 4.2L sometimes gets a coolant leak somewhere in the intake manifold gasket area. The engine has been ultra-reliable for me but I only have put 18K on the truck since new. Check out all the coolant hoses and vacuum lines for hard, brittle rubber.

 

If I not mistaken, what you have sir is a '04 "Heritage Edition", which is essentially a carryover from the previous generation while production as ramping up for the more square trucks that were produced from '04-'09. With that being aid, the 3rd brake light assembly is most likely a completely different assembly...???


Anyhoo, just give it a good look over from stem to stern and ya should be fine.