Hi everyone, came into possession of a 97 regular cab XLT and had a few questions concerning it.

1.) On cold start it almost dips to 0 rpm and im not sure if this is normal, at times it does not do this but others it will before reving up to 1500-2000 rpm. is this normal? (ill include a clip at the bottom)

2?) our local junkyard has a ton of 10th gen trucks to get parts from and I was looking at swapping a few things around but im not sure what models, years, etc fit onto this gen.

Thanks in advance everyone

 

Check the IAC motor for the idle variance when cold.

Since you have a 97, do you know your production date. It makes a difference on a few parts that you might be considering modifying. If you don't know, it's on the drivers side pillar. The date is in the upper right side of the tag.

 

I found my production date. Been busy with school and forgot to check this but the date is 08/96.

 

That makes your truck the second series of 97 and all those and the 98 parts interchange. This means you have the later front if you want headlights and such.

Body panels are mostly interchangeable, but that is about it really. Engines, transmissions, front header and bumpers are all different. Interior parts are iffy if they will interchange. Speedometer won't swap, panels around the speedo will. Door panels are different (position of handle inside), and the list goes on. 99 is the first of the PATs in the F150's, but was available in 97 in the Expy's.

 

What i'm basically wondering is what bumpers exchange specifically, from what I have seen there is 3 different bumper styles with each having their own styles

I am trying to see if i can swap the later style bumper on as our pick n pull has tons to choose from valence lights and all. Im wanting to swap since there seems to be more mounting locations for lights on these bumpers.

Anyways would it be worth swapping it out for one or does the one I have seem enough for a light bar to be mounted in.


Current:


Style 2:


Style I want to get into

 

Cold start, yea there's a problem. Either your air or fuel filter is plugged OR your fuel pump is having a hard time firing up on occasion. That's how these FP's go out....they start to lock up here and there then freeze. You can run through your pressure checks on the pump to verify. First start with a new fuel filter.

You can use any front end you like with a little work, nothing too bad....just collecting the correct parts. Personally, I like the real bumper versions 97/98 4x4 set ups (Style 2). It's personal preference though, the others look good as well.

 

Those are both on my to do list as well as the other reg. maintenance like oil, coolant, etc. Strangely enough it has yet to show this behavior again its odd but then again I don't drive it much. I am assuming that the mounting locations might be a lil different but for the most part just about getting the parts (upper plastic piece, actual chrome piece and lower valence?).

I think they're nice they're just not as common as the other style and most i've seen are bent too nasty or just plain smashed in.