Just want to say this is a top notch site. I have started my 1st Ford F150 03 4x4 truck project. Some background...i come across this 03 Crew cab truck a friend had that was overheating. Im in the printing (digital/screen) maintenance field and have been a mechanic since who knows. Born and raised on a med sized farm where mechanics was a must. Anyway this truck was over heating and blowing the antifreeze out the recovery tank. i wasnt asked to look at it and really didnt know he had an issue with it till he showed up at work in a 2014 Dodge. Was told about the ford so i joklingly said you wont be needing it taking up space in your drive and shot him a price of $800 not figuring it i was about to become the new owner. But he said deal. Well crap i said to myself and started doing some research on the truck. it was taken to some "friend" and said head gasket. So "friend" puts head gasket fixer in it and go figure no help. So i decided to pull the radiator out and flush it. I drained it in a bucket and looking in all i saw was gold flakes. i asked how much was put in. Couple thingys. Vehicle was still at his house when i pulled the radiator and decided to pull the thermostat out. Flushed the radiator and didnt have a thermostat at the time so left it out. Back together topped off i went and got a car dolly (we live 15 miles apart) and started it up. Friend said load it up i said wait want to see how long it takes to start to heat up. 5 min go by 10. 15 temp gets to 1/2 way and levels off. He looked at me and said its not going to over heat is it? i said follow me to the hous. That was 3 months ago and still not a single heat issue. Since then I've done the cold air mod, 1in throttle body spacer, put 285/70/17's, full 3in front torsion keys, 3in rear block, bull guard, 52in curved light bar, flowmaster 40 single in dual out, and now on here to get the run down on led instrument cluster light swap. Thanks for letting me share.

 

Welcome to the site. Sounds as if you’re having fun.

 

Appears that you got a deal on the truck. I have 285/70x17s on my truck as well without lifting it. I drive on the beach a lot and needed the extra flotation on the sand.

 

Welcome! Sounds like a nice truck!