I've been thinking about getting rid of my 97 off and on for a while now. I haven't decided exactly what I want to get to replace it though. I know it will be a 03 or 04 heritage and 2wd. There's a couple things I haven't decided on yet.

1. regular cab or extended cab
2. 4.6 manual or 5.4 auto
3. style or flare side

It will be easier for me to find a soft tonneau that I like for the style side. I hate the moulding along the side though. The extended cab would be nice so my dog can sit back there. I want the truck to be as light as possible though. I hate automatics but it would be nice to have more power until I do what I want to the drivetrain. I'd like to be able to throw in a 5.0 with a six speed manual.

 

The moulding is easily removed.

 

Why not just save some coin and throw a 5.0 in your current truck?

 

1.) for me, i love having the space and not needing it rather than needing it and not having it. i love seeing reg cab trucks going down the road with 5 people sitting on eachothers laps.

2.) good luck finding a decent 4.6L stick around for sale. they werent rare but they werent common either.

3.) toughie on that one.

 

I even thought about trying to find a manual 4.2.

I'd like to but I want something newer that is 2wd.

 

Take it from a guy with a manual 4.2L- spend the extra coin and get a V8.