Topic Sponsor
1997 - 2003 Ford F150 General discussion on the Ford 1997 - 2003 F150 truck.

"Bessie's" Resurrection Thread

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 19, 2017 | 10:36 PM
  #1  
aihlanfeldt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 2
Default "Bessie's" Resurrection Thread

To keep a long story as short as possible I will do my best to summarize what has happened in my most recent set of endeavors with my beloved Bessie.

I've owned her for 10 years now, and she has never once left me stranded, mechanically, she is the most dependable vehicle I have ever owned. My 2001 F150 Supercrew XLT 4x4 has literally been through it all. I once sunk her in a lake, that was supposed to be dry, when I was 17 (a short two months after I bought her), I have put two different sets of wheels, three exhaust set ups and five different gun storage options in or on her. I have done my best to treat her with the perfect balance of respect and possible destruction. In short, I love her... Even though, she is after all, just a truck.

Two years ago someone broke into the toolbox and stole all the tools out of it that were of any value, the hide-a-key was found in there and she was unlocked, more tools and two weapons were stolen, to a total of around $2,000 worth of possessions lost.

To add insult to injury, the person that took my things and broke into my beloved truck, took it upon themselves to relieve me of her, by setting her on fire... Thankfully for me, and Bessie, the driver door was shut and the fire eventually burnt out due to lack of oxygen. Not before ruining the entire interior though. Bringing the grand total of damages somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 grand...

She was paid for and did not have comprehensive coverage, lesson learned. But on the bright side she was STILL able to crank and run. No irreversible damage done. So that brings me to where we are now.

Presently I am in the process of putting her back together. She started life as an XLT, but will soon have the interior of a Lariat, or KR truck, and then shortly after that she will be going to paint to get a facelift...

The point of all of this is, I have a really cool chance to do it all over again, however I want to, I'm a little more financially secure now, compared to my standings as a 17 yr old kid... So I would like to invite all of you to give me ideas and share your favorite mods/upgrades, whatever you got...

I want her to come back to life and be, perfect.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2017 | 10:39 PM
  #2  
aihlanfeldt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 2
Default

I should also mention that I have already changed or added a few things from how she was previously set up. She came from Ford with the RKE module, but no keypad, so I added one, and I am in the process of swapping solid back glass to an OEM power slide back unit.

Give me some more ideas! This is going to be a lengthy build... I want her to be a head turner!
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2017 | 10:40 PM
  #3  
aihlanfeldt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 2
Default

How she sits currently.
Attached Thumbnails "Bessie's" Resurrection Thread-photo841.jpg   "Bessie's" Resurrection Thread-photo925.jpg   "Bessie's" Resurrection Thread-photo647.jpg   "Bessie's" Resurrection Thread-photo286.jpg  
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2017 | 11:15 PM
  #4  
the01kingranch's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 177
Default

Can't wait to see how it turns out.
Headlights (retrofits)
Fog lights (6" led bars)
Tint
Exhaust
Programmer
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2017 | 07:07 AM
  #5  
aihlanfeldt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 2
Default

https://www.hdtruckware.com/ford-c-1...ent-p-334.html

I really want to hang this on there.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2017 | 09:48 AM
  #6  
97badass's Avatar
Yeah I'm THAT guy
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 61
Default

Following
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2017 | 10:14 AM
  #7  
10thGenScab's Avatar
I'm *NOT* Skylar...
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 391
Likes: 54
From: Upstate New York
Default

What kind of a dickweed steals a bunch of stuff out of a man's truck and then sets it ablaze? SMH.

Good luck. Hope she turns out the way you envision.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2017 | 10:21 AM
  #8  
tareed94's Avatar
Texas A&M Aggie
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,527
Likes: 1,353
From: Pasadena, TX
Default

Originally Posted by aihlanfeldt
https://www.hdtruckware.com/ford-c-1...ent-p-334.html

I really want to hang this on there.
Personally I'm not a fan of bulky replacement bumpers.

I'd do lariat interior, maybe from a different year as I believe most of them will bolt in from other years. Color match some interior components, custom audio, maybe even custom leather. Might be cheaper than doing all new seats.

Headlights retrofits that are color matched, fog lights swapped to either retrofits or put LED bulbs, to maintain some factory look.

Mild lift around 4 inches.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2017 | 12:13 PM
  #9  
white89gt's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 60 Days
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 23,192
Likes: 8,622
From: Utah
Default

Originally Posted by tareed94
Personally I'm not a fan of bulky replacement bumpers.
Same here...
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2017 | 12:20 PM
  #10  
aihlanfeldt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by 10thGenScab
What kind of a dickweed steals a bunch of stuff out of a man's truck and then sets it ablaze? SMH.

Good luck. Hope she turns out the way you envision.
The little brother kind of dickweed, unfortunately...
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:37 PM.