Forgive me if this is the wrong section to post it.

I'm looking to buy my first pickup (far from my first car though), but I'm pretty much at the bottom of the market - in the $3k-4k range. Here in the Northeast finding something that isn't rotten out is pretty tricky, and I saw a nice 2004 F150 Lariat today that, except for the frame looked and sounded pretty good.

When I checked out the frame, most of it looked rusted but serviceable, but I spotted this separation in the frame, and was wondering if this is something typically repairable, or if it's bad enough I should pass on the truck:



I also noticed this curved piece of the cab frame is rotten away, on both sides. The fenders and door sills have no visible rust from the outside, so other than these issues it looks fine.


The truck is $3900, needs tires and doesn't have a hitch, but otherwise looks in good shape. Runs and shifts fine, 4H and 4L work, etc.

I'm mostly buying it for home use, hauling mulch, gravel and plowing (only my driveway), and occasionally towing a car to the track.

What do you think?

 

I would pass on that truck. Price is too high and rust is abundant.To me, it is junk.

 

It’s going to be hard to find a rust free , low dollar truck in the North East. I would pass on this one though. The frame is rusted through, looks like the exhaust is rusted through also. I’m sure there is other corrosion you haven’t even seen yet. The frame looks beyond repair to me.
might be worth looking for something from somewhere further south and out of the salt belt.

 

Yeah, I've got an eye out in CT because its in reasonable driving distance and a friend lives down there, its not much further south but its a bit better. I'd love to get one from much further south and drive it back, but at this price range that seems a bit dicey.

 

Might be worth a "vacation" in the south.

 

I've been thinking about that. But to be honest from what I've read about the '04-08 5.4L engine I'm wondering if I should just skip the whole 11th gen.

 

That's terminal. Its already been patched/welded.

 

That chassis has been repaired/welded on and a welded chassis will cause weakened metal and an invitation to rust. The rocker area is missing for the best part and this truck should be junked IMO. Take the advise here and run from this truck.

 

Like others have said, I'd pass. I think it could still be serviceable as a farm truck, but I wouldn't drive want to drive that on a public road.

 

that truck is only good for scrap metal now