What to do with my F-150?
10-28-2016, 06:10 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
What to do with my F-150?
Hello Ford Forum-
Excuse the noob vibe I'm giving off here, I'm new to this forum thing, so please try to bear with me.
Let me start by saying that ever since my father bought his truck in 2001, I've had a strong dislike towards it. It's a 2001 F-150 XLT Extended Cab with the 8 ft. bed, 5.4 Triton V8(?), 2WD with 34,000 original miles, and it's probably one of the most basically equipped F-150s out there. Equipped with manual windows, A/C, and cloth interior, my father bought the truck with the intentions of using it primarily for working at our family property. Though as time went on, and my brother and I grew up, we used it for Scouting, hauling, etc. and I'll admit it has served us quite well.
Although, now that I am of the age where I am able to drive, my father has so graciously given it to me and it's for me to keep. Now, please understand that I'm not ungrateful to have such a truck, because I am very grateful for what I have because I realize there are less fortunate people with bigger problems than me, but the truck is so uglllyyy. Like I said before, it's pretty basic and appearance wise, it's comparable to any other gardner's truck or anyone who bought a truck second hand.
So I'm here to ask, what should I do with it? I want it to make it look less "gardener" like (as it has been so famously called by my colleagues) and make it look a little more sport like. Any recommendations? I've seen many other F-150s that have been modded out and some of them look horrendous, so I'm just trying to avoid that by getting recommendations from others. And yes, I have looked through other forum posts, but no one seems to have a truck comparable to mine, so I felt as if I needed to post a thread asking for help.
I've looked to switch out the headlights and taillights with Spyder smoked ones, but the reviews on Amazon are sketchy at best, so any other headlight/taillight recommendations would be great. I've also looked into lifting it, although I can't lift it, because we'd still be using it for work on the family property and I don't see my father buying a new truck anytime soon, so it has to stay the exact same height, so any rim recommendations would also be appreciated. Also, if anyone has installed fender flares on their truck I'd like to know how, because I've always liked them especially on a truck.
Honestly any recommendations on as to what I could do to my truck would be appreciated. Thanks!
(P.S.- Pictures are from August, when I last washed it.)
Excuse the noob vibe I'm giving off here, I'm new to this forum thing, so please try to bear with me.
Let me start by saying that ever since my father bought his truck in 2001, I've had a strong dislike towards it. It's a 2001 F-150 XLT Extended Cab with the 8 ft. bed, 5.4 Triton V8(?), 2WD with 34,000 original miles, and it's probably one of the most basically equipped F-150s out there. Equipped with manual windows, A/C, and cloth interior, my father bought the truck with the intentions of using it primarily for working at our family property. Though as time went on, and my brother and I grew up, we used it for Scouting, hauling, etc. and I'll admit it has served us quite well.
Although, now that I am of the age where I am able to drive, my father has so graciously given it to me and it's for me to keep. Now, please understand that I'm not ungrateful to have such a truck, because I am very grateful for what I have because I realize there are less fortunate people with bigger problems than me, but the truck is so uglllyyy. Like I said before, it's pretty basic and appearance wise, it's comparable to any other gardner's truck or anyone who bought a truck second hand.
So I'm here to ask, what should I do with it? I want it to make it look less "gardener" like (as it has been so famously called by my colleagues) and make it look a little more sport like. Any recommendations? I've seen many other F-150s that have been modded out and some of them look horrendous, so I'm just trying to avoid that by getting recommendations from others. And yes, I have looked through other forum posts, but no one seems to have a truck comparable to mine, so I felt as if I needed to post a thread asking for help.
I've looked to switch out the headlights and taillights with Spyder smoked ones, but the reviews on Amazon are sketchy at best, so any other headlight/taillight recommendations would be great. I've also looked into lifting it, although I can't lift it, because we'd still be using it for work on the family property and I don't see my father buying a new truck anytime soon, so it has to stay the exact same height, so any rim recommendations would also be appreciated. Also, if anyone has installed fender flares on their truck I'd like to know how, because I've always liked them especially on a truck.
Honestly any recommendations on as to what I could do to my truck would be appreciated. Thanks!
(P.S.- Pictures are from August, when I last washed it.)
10-28-2016, 12:47 PM
#2
Junior Member
My truck was basically the same just a 1997. I did the front clip swap and color matched the grille and bumper pad, 3" spindle lift in the front and a 2" block in the rear. I also added the tow mirrors and 265/75/16 cooper discovers at3's on then 5 spoke wheels. It doesn't look bad for a 20 year old truck!
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ET2E (08-13-2017)
10-28-2016, 02:26 PM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Also if you don't mind, how did you buy your rims and where did you get the fender flares from? Those imo would work great on my truck....
Last edited by ET2E; 10-28-2016 at 02:30 PM.
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ET2E (08-13-2017)
10-28-2016, 08:16 PM
#6
I read the post then scrolled down to see the the ugly truck...Wow...its very similar to mine but with nicer racks, bumpers and half the mileage. Too funny. I refer to mine as the classic Grandpa's truck. Basic, paid for and gets the job done. Enjoy it.
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ET2E (08-13-2017)
10-28-2016, 08:22 PM
#7
Senior Member
After reading your reply, I'd think about leaving that one be. Keep it your DD and maintenance well. Not sure of your interest completely, but you can pick up one of these rides fairly cheap. Find a second you can have more fun with...lifting, building, experimenting lol. Since your pretty much locked out of the best modification aspect (not able to lift, even a little), I'd pass personal and find one of these to really make your truck.
That's a GREAT work truck. Long bed, best engine in class but not a 4x either. More support for my reply
That's a GREAT work truck. Long bed, best engine in class but not a 4x either. More support for my reply
Last edited by Jbrew; 10-28-2016 at 08:25 PM.
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ET2E (08-13-2017)
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10-28-2016, 08:27 PM
#8
Senior Member
My truck was basically the same just a 1997. I did the front clip swap and color matched the grille and bumper pad, 3" spindle lift in the front and a 2" block in the rear. I also added the tow mirrors and 265/75/16 cooper discovers at3's on then 5 spoke wheels. It doesn't look bad for a 20 year old truck!
10-28-2016, 08:55 PM
#9
Junior Member
Originally Posted by ET2E
Looks great! I've always liked the FX4 rims, so maybe I'll try my luck with those.
Also if you don't mind, how did you buy your rims and where did you get the fender flares from? Those imo would work great on my truck....
Also if you don't mind, how did you buy your rims and where did you get the fender flares from? Those imo would work great on my truck....
The following users liked this post:
ET2E (08-13-2017)