Well, when I went truck hunting, I looked for an XL with 5-speed, AC (I live in FL, you NEED AC), 4.6L, 4x4.
First thing I noticed is XLs have no tach. I can't see having a manual tranny and no tach, what's up with that? I then noticed with the options I wanted, the XLTs weren't much more.
Then the kicker. I saw the baby I have now. Reg cab, short bed (yeah, I know, but it still does plenty of work, just doesn't carry full sheets of plywood as well), 4.6, 4x4, ORP, of course AC, auto (would have preferred a manual, but.....it was used, a year old, less than 50k miles on it. Price? $15,100. Couldn't pass it up.
I still work it hard, on and off the pavement. Yep, that's right, I'm one of those guys who has a 4x4 with the ORP, and it actually leaves the pavement!
All the bells and whistles? Yep, cruise, power mirrors went buttons up. Don't really care, never used them. Didn't really pay more for them since the truck cost less than a good XL. Protect the seat with plastic when I'm dirty and threw rubber floor mats in it.
Don't think an XLT can't work.
BUT, I do think work trucks are cool. And Jondoe941 is right, trucks are there to work. If ya buy a truck, then you should use it like one. My $.02
Now, my '78 F-250 XL, 351M, 4x4, long bed, 4 on the floor..........THERE was a WORK truck!
Magnum