there is no difference lol. flareside is just ford's name for their stepsides. but some people still call them stepsides.

 

A minor thing? So basically your saying go up a few thousand for a 09+ lariat with over a 100k miles to stay close to the 10k mark? No thanks, my 06 has more life left then that. I'll spend that 10k on a front end conversion and completely deck out my truck.

 

No, I'm sayin, instead of pouring $10K into your '06 Lariat to make it look like an '09, which if some clown runs into you and totals the truck you will have just lost that $10,000, that you could buy a 2009 XL for $8000 and spend $2-$3K on a chrome grill, chrome bumpers and mirrors, wheels, seats, carpet, Lariat badges, etc. to turn it into a Lariat.

Now if you have a personal attachment to the truck like many people have, all of what I've just said wont matter.

 

It'd be more then 2-3k I'm afraid to make it like a xlt including interior and plus finding a XL super crew 4x4 for that cheap is slim to none

 

Ok and if I spend 10k on a 09 and some clowns totals it, I'm still out 10k. So what's the difference? 2-3k for all those parts? I doubt it, your probably looking at 2k+ for just the interior.

 

Well, if you spend $10K on an '09 plus $2-3K on the upgrades and it gets totaled, you get a check from the insurance company for $10K (assuming it's the book value) and you are out just $2-3K. If you spend $10K on your '06 and it gets totaled, you get a check for the book value, like $8,000, and you lose that $10K you put into it (assuming you didn't get the truck for free).

You have to search. Maybe get a wrecked parts car. (You'd be getting a wrecked truck for the '09 to 06 conversion wouldn't you) A few months ago I bought a 2005 FX4 needing engine work for $3,000 and swapped the interior including the power windows and locks, wheels, bumpers, grill, instrument cluster, etc. into a 2007 XL. Fixed and sold the 05 for a slight profit and now have an FX4 clone that I paid XL money for.

 

Ok but not all of us have the ability to slap a wrecked truck in the driveway (HOA would be knocking on my door quick). Plus I don't want a 09+ with 100k miles on it. Sorry but me doing a swap on my 06 (not totaled) spending 2-3k seems more logical. Especially since I can sell my parts and recoup about half my money. I see it as a mod to my truck, I know I'll never get my full return but at least I got to enjoy it.

 

The price of modifying your vehicle is a loss regardless of how much you spend on it. The bank values my truck at $14,800 yet I got it for $12k from a private dealer so I have $2800 in wiggle room before I go over my value. I could total my truck today (knock on wood) and get $14,800 for it.

Lets just say I didn't have any wiggle room. Whatever your modifications cost, you will not get them back if you total your truck. Maybe you can get it back if you sell to a private party but still unlikely unless you flip it pretty quickly like atikovi did.

My 04 has many options that I really like about the truck. To get that same truck in a 09 (which they don't even make because I have a flareside) I would be spending at least $20k. I know this because I have been truck shopping all summer until I ended up with the one I have now a few months ago. Also, like previous posters have said, this is for fun not for any kind of "sense". I love wrenching!

I've looked up some stock images to start my photoshop concept. Will try to work on it and get it up when I can. Glad to see there are other people that like the 04-08 tails and 09+ heads.

 

You can have aftermarket parts covered depending on your insurance company. I pay extra to have coverage for 20k of aftermarket stuff on my truck and it's only about $300 a year.

 

I hear that. Glad I don't live in a HOA controlled house any more. Still have zoning crap to worry about though.

Don't know what color your truck is or if they have the same color in 2009+ so you wouldn't have to paint the parts, but if you can find a damaged, flooded or high mileage '09 at a salvage auction that still runs, it might satisfy the HOA and could swap the front parts. I'm assuming if '09 fits '06, you can also go in reverse.

Found one like:
http://www.copart.com/c2/homeSearch....SEARCH_RESULTS