2 things, How deep are your pockets and how padded is your bank account? Answer those then people might be able to give you a half assed answer. Seriously?

Can you buy a new truck? Can you support a used one?

Can't do that if it won't pass inspection.

I had kind of a similar issue last year. I had my '09 FX4 crew cab with luxury package - it was what I thought would be my last truck. Last year at 9 years old, while doing my spring detail, I noticed some rust starting at the rear cab corners from the inside out - paint starting to bubble. I was heartbroken - I loved that truck!

It was not an issue for inspection and you couldn't notice it unless you were under the truck. But I know once this rust starts there is really no stopping it. I ended up making a decision to trade it in on a used '15 Lariat with the aluminum body. I am hoping the aluminum body will hold up to the salt and anti skid around here.

It seems I just can't keep a truck for more than 10 years around here. I was hoping my '09 would last me 20 years.

So maybe look at a used '15+. At the time I couldn't afford a new truck either unless I got an XL or something. I got too used to all the goodies - my own fault - so I was looking at Lariats. I found a 3 year old off-lease Lariat that had everything I wanted - all the service records etc.

Maybe take a look at these trucks - if for nothing else to look at all your options and make an informed decision.

The answer to both would be yes

like I said before I’m trying to make the most informed decision I can and I know that their are a lot of great and knowledgeable people on this form

I guess all states are different.. We have a pretty strict safety inspection, but a vehicle won't fail due to rusty rockers or bumpers where I live.

There are places that will fail them. IIRC, it was either Ontario or Quebec that used to. Could be bad memory.
Sometimes I wish we had an inspection here. There truly is many POS on the roads. Body parts can be found in ditches off and on. Let alone bad brakes, tires, exhaust systems, lights, on many DDs, that people have no problem driving and endangering the lives of others.:censored:

i definitely would if I could but I live in Maine and they will fail it for the rusty rockers.

yep that would fail here in PA, any rust holes, automatic fail.

OP if you can support it, i would look for something a little newer, maybe not brand new but something newer that you don't have to keep dumping money into. My brother was just in the same situation with his ranger, kept costing him money so he got rid of it for a fusion, granted he wasn't real happy but he would rather have a newer vehicle that is hopefully more reliable.

My opinion is to not put that kind of money in a vehicle that old and look into a new or at least newer vehicle.

I was in a similar situation as the OP earlier this year but in a better financial position so the decision was a little easier.

My 08 F-150 has 284,000 miles. I had kept up with regular maintenance but time and miles were catching up. last year I repaired/replaced a lot of parts. Then At the end of January I blew a head gasket and that was the final straw. With rust at every wheel well and under the bed I thought that putting anymore money in it would be wasted in the long run.

I had been thinking about a new one for almost a year and was planning to purchase this summer but now have one on order and scheduled at the dealer mid-May.

They have some sweet lease deals on stx crew cab trims a few months ago, $299 a month with like $800 due at signing. I think you could still hunt down a bargain deal like that, keep in mind insurance costs will rise but you get the feeling of a new vehicle with 0 maintenance worries, if you have a side business or hustle in college you can even write it off, but if it's only gonna take X amount of money to fix and you know there's nothing else wrong with it then you can save that extra money and use it for something else.

Just to add about my above post and buying used -

the ‘15 Lariat I bought had 34k miles. I was within the window to be able to purchase an ESP plan which I did for peace of mind.

if I remember correctly - it has to be within 41 months of the date it was first put into service. Mine was put into service February 18 2015 so I had until July 2018 to buy the ESP plan. I bought it in June 2018. I got the premier plan (best plan) up to 60k miles with $100 deductible for around $900.

it took the edge off buying a used truck for me since I have bought new the past 3 times around.

just something to consider.