MyNameIdeasWereTaken

1997 Ford F150 XL "Jolene"
Light Prairie Tan Metallic / Dark Blue Metallic
Triton 4.6L V8, Manual, 4x2, Supercab


Stock Options:
Tow Package
16" Alloy Wheels
Split Bench
Sliding Rear Window


Exterior Cosmetic Modifications:
Boondock "The High-C" Bed Shell
Wade Window Deflectors
Triton V8 Badges
Bull Bar
Reece Class IV Trailer Hitch


Interior Cosmetic Modifications:
Rubber Floor Mats
TrailFX Nyracord Bed Mat


Audio & Electronics:
Power Trac Brake Controller


Performance & Handling:
Monroe Load Adjusting Rear Shocks
Magnaflow Rumble Exhaust (see a video here)

MyNameIdeasWereTaken

See my introduction thread here: https://www.f150forum.com/f3/soon-f1...efully-405669/

We just bought our '97 F150 on Saturday. It was previously mechanic owned in Ashville, NC.
347k miles on the clock with the original engine and transmission. Nothing is leaking, the interior and exterior are in amazing shape, and it drives tighter than any other 10th gen I have driven.

BigFordXLT

Wow, that is a lot miles. Truck looks well taken care of. What are your plans with it?

UncleG

Looks great for the age and miles !

MyNameIdeasWereTaken

Thanks! It really is in great shape.

This truck is mostly going to be used for Home Depot runs and work around our property, so no immediate plans for performance/suspension.
Really, it's nice just having a 3rd vehicle again. That means I can work on the track car and not have to put it back together Sunday night for my Monday morning commute. Also a lot less stress for when I inevitably break something at weekend events. If you're not breaking it, you're not pushing it to its full potential.

We'll do a few minor cosmetic things on the truck, at least to get it up to par with my other current cars (details in sig).

Any opinions on the pros and cons of a muffler and/or resonator delete? This is the quietest vehicle I have ever owned, and it has got a V8! I don't want to hinder torque by minimizing back pressure, but it needs some more sound.

UncleG

If it is the 5.4, Borla makes an excellent header with true duals setup that I had on my 2004 SuperDuty with 5.4. It actually increases torque.

MyNameIdeasWereTaken

I ended up cutting off the stock muffler and welding on a Magnaflow Rumble Exhaust muffler.
I drove about a mile with the muffler off, just for fun. Definitely a loss of low end torque and it was way too loud with too much drone.

The Rumble Exhaust muffler gives the exact sound I wanted with plenty of burbles, plus it seems to be giving a bit of back pressure since the torque has been restored.
Drone is minimal and the cabin is surprisingly quiet!

I also added a shiny exhaust tip over the stock exit pipe, to give a bit of glamour to match the noise.

MyNameIdeasWereTaken

Got some goodies in the mail.

MyNameIdeasWereTaken

Got around to adhering the badges. Any reason they didn't advertise the engine on the '97 XL? Or is it because it's the XL?

MyNameIdeasWereTaken

I removed the old tow hitch off the truck today. It has been on there for 22 years...

Can't say I have ever seen a tow hitch rusted all the way through! There is only the expected amount of rust on the truck (for one that has lived in the south and rarely seen salted roads), so this is really surprising.