Hello everybody, I have a 97 reg cab, 2WD, with a long bed. It has 196K miles and is in pretty good shape. It is factory stock except for the cap. “Old red” is very dear to me. I ran a business with it, took kids camping, hauled stuff around for friends and it never let me down in the good times or the bad. Old red is looking a little tired after all the faithful service it has given me. I want to fix it up. The clear coat started to peel back in 2008. The hood, grill, drivers door and both fenders are peeling. One of the windows doesn't work. I replaced the drivers window regulator after embarrassing my daughter at McDonalds one day. The headlights are cloudy and need replacing. The factory wheels need updating. The cap has been leaking around the windows lately. Just recently the engine has developed a “tick” sound. The “tick” is the thing that got me thinking about giving old red some TLC. I could buy a new truck but I am perfectly happy with this one.


I am looking for input about updating the exterior. Lights, paint, loose the cap, different bumper, street rod look perhaps. I was a hot rodder many years ago, built an engine, did some body work and feel up to the job. I am in no hurry. I can do it one item at a time. I do want to find and fix the “tick” as soon as I can. That is a post for the engine forum.


Here is “old red”. I look forward to the suggestions.



Old Red

 

The tick is probably the manifolds.

 

+1 on the tick being exhaust manifolds

 

3" lift kit on 33's with a grille guard, after market black dual halo headlights, etc.

 

I would do spindle lift, 265 or 285s, roof rack on the cap

 

Make sure the tick isn't a loose spark plug.

 

The tick depends on when it is happening. A little more info on when it is ticking would help. If it while its running all the time its probably a exhaust leak at the manifold. If it on cold start up and goes away when warms more than likely the lash adjusters.

As far as looks department, it truely depends on what you want. Being its a longbed, I say a spindle lift, some 285's. Different front bumper and a roof rack on the topper will give it some flair..

 

Some black or chrome lightning replacement headlights make a nice difference and are reasonably cheap.

 

The tick is always there when the engine is running. Thanks for getting me to think better about it. I started a thread in the engine forum about the tick. https://www.f150forum.com/f11/engine-tick-4-6l-97-f150-271808/

I do like the lightning replacement lights where can I find those? Anybody got a link? I do like street rod trucks but I think I want this one to stay a "ready for the job" truck. I have never considered lifting it. What is involved in lifting it? How big a set of tires can you put under there without lifting it?

 

Look on e-bay or amazon for "lightning" or "Harley" headlights. Several styles to choose from (all chrome or ones with black in them). Stay away from the once piece "halo projectors" with LED's in them. Light output is crap, halos and LED's go out in no time and fitment is very poor.
Also you need to know the build date of your truck, early '97's have a different mounting for the headlights and the regular ones out there won't fit it, not sure on the month cut off for it though.