When my dad passed back in April, I ended up with his truck. It's a 2000 XLT 5.4 in Island Blue with only 95k original miles. I was with him when he bought it in September of 99. Aside from being a heavy smoker (interior was completely covered in ashes) and never really cleaning it, it was in great shape apart from a few dings. He had scraped the drivers side on a fence post parking it at his apartment, hit something really low to the ground on the passenger side rocker, and backed into a chain link fence every time he pulled out of his apartment. I replaced the headlights and tail lights when I first got it, put new rims and tires on it, replaced the stereo (factory one barely worked anymore), replaced the carpet, completely scrubbed the interior to remove years of smoking, replaced the worn out shocks, and did a standard tune up on it. Mechanically, it runs and drives like a brand new truck. It's quiet, rides like a dream, and never so much as hiccups.

I've been talking about getting the body work done since I got it, and finally dropped it off yesterday. They're going to fix all of the dings and repaint the whole truck silver for $4500ish. I found brand new front and rear bumpers (with all the bumper pads) on amazon for $500. I'm going to call the body shop today and see if they can get them and install them for close to that, and might just have them do it for me as well.

He always loved the color, but I never really liked it. I've always loved silver trucks. They're easier to keep clean, don't show imperfections as much, and I just prefer the color. I almost got rid of it for a new one a few weeks ago, but decided to just keep it and paint it a color I can live with. Here's are the before shots. It'll be a couple of weeks before I get it back, but I'll post the after shots when I do.

I'm planning to replace the cloth with leather at some point, and will probably replace the cushions on the seats at the same time to get rid of that last bit of mustiness on the interior.

 

I am not a fan of that color myself.


Looking forward to seeing pics of the new paint.

 

Decent starting point. Should make a nice truck when it's all said and done.

 

I think that's the ending point for me. Its not anything I drive daily (my '15 GT is my DD). I use it to move stuff, and to haul my fishing gear when I go fishing. In the last 2 months, I think it has been driven 3 or 4 times.


At some point, I MIGHT end up going with LT headers and new piping from the headers to the muffler (already replaced the muffler and tail pipes), but even that is questionable.

 

I was just saying the condition you got it in was a good starting point. The 5.4 is a good solid engine too. It's nice to have the option of a truck, even if you don't use it very often.

 

gotcha. I misunderstood what you were saying.


Yeah, aside from a few dings, a few minor things that needed replacing (springs, tires, headlights and tail lights, and sway bar end links), and the musty smoke stained interior, it was in really great shape. My dad took great care of his vehicles (for the most part, aside from regular cleaning, lol). All maintenance was regularly performed (oil changes, etc). The truck he had before this one was an 86 F150 he bought new in 86 as well. When I got that one (he took my ranger to trade for this 00, and gave me his 86), it had over 200k miles on it and the only problem it ever had was he had to replace the interior and transmission after he backed it into the bay on a boat ramp on accident.


I beat the living snot out of that truck and it ran like a champ until it just randomly started dying one day. At that point, it had over 250k miles. We replaced the engine, and it ran great until I sold it.


And yes, I've almost always had a truck, either as a daily driver or a second vehicle, in the 20 years I've been driving. Never needed a 4wd, but a truck is a must for most households. Most of the time, I've either had only a truck, or a truck and a car. I've only been without a truck for a few months a couple of times. Even if I don't use it much, it is definitely nice knowing its there if I need it.

 

Your dad sounds like a trip. Im with you about the at least one truck per household idea. I have to have one for work and in my 16 years of driving i couldnt imagine not having access to one.

Im looking forward to seeing that one all cleaned up and in a nice shade of silver.

 

Called the shop today. Should be ready next Friday (11/11). My front and rear bumpers showed up today (step pad and valence for front showed up a couple of days ago). Going to go ahead and have the shop install the new ones, since they have to pull the old ones anyway.

 

Also getting the leaking rear window replaced.

Aside from the musty interior, it's going to basically be a new truck. I'm rather stoked to get it back!

 

Might as well.