The last 12 "sport XLT's" produced were all equipped the same way. Short wheel base, 6 were Style sides, 6 were Flare sides.
All had 4.6 engines, automatics, conven. group, adjustable pedals,
and 3:55 l/s rear ends, sliding rear glass, etc.
The kicker is that Ford had sent the majority of 4.6 to the '04 line and used left overs for engines.
The bottom ends were 4.6 Mustang (260 h.p.), with truck intake manifolds. You may wonder how I know this?
My '03 Sport ,came this way, developed a fuel leak at 7500 miles.
While at the dealer, where I am the service manager, I was approached by both the parts manager & the tech doing the repair. The fuel rail had a leaking injector seal, the rail it self had been "tweaked" to fit. Had to get a Mustang prt. number to repair.
Has anyone else had a fuel leak like this, or a similar problem?

 

What is the problem? Do you not believe me?
Surely someone has had the same problems?

 

I myself have a 5.4 in my STX, sounds like you might have gotten the better end of the deal on that one.

 

The last 12 XLT Sports Produced were all sent to southeastern ford dealers, not sure of the distribution numbers.
I had ordered mine in March, and I took what was sent. The Ford rep. tells me that Ford took it upon itself to "empty" the parts bins and accessories bins for these and other "last" days models.

My truck came off the car hauler with a graphic tape stripe that is not part of the factory listed "sport" package. Also I do not have the "sport" decals on the rear bed quaters, there is only one decal on the tail gate. It is to the right side of the F-150 emblem.

It came with a in-dash 6 cd changer, there is a Factory enclosure behind the passenger side of the seat . It has a 8" or 10" sub-woofer in it. This is not listed in the 2003 options list.

Maybe Ford decided to make the last of "true" 2dr's something special to remember.

 

TDS,

That is very interesting to know. I am wondering if my truck got one of those mix engines. The reason why I say this is because it was assembled in the Kansas City plant, I live in the Southeast, and I know that it rolled off the assembly line within the last week or so of 03 production. I had Ford research the my trucks build date since I found that the color wasn't available for my model since it is merely an XLT and not the STX or Heritage which BTW are the only two models that had Burgundy Red Metallic offered as a color. Like the other thread says the color is actually called pearlized raspberry merlot by paint manufacturers. Go figure, looks like ford was making up some special breeds in the end since they were pretty much retiring the older body style. Funny thing is the are still producing the Lightning in the previous body style like we have.

 

They are building the Heritage (old body style) F150 till mid-year in 2004. You cannot get the 5.4 in it but you can still get the V6, 4.6 and the manual transmission. http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/f...dex.asp?bhcp=1
I know that color was only offered on the Heritage and the STX but I have seen a couple of XLT's around the Knoxville area with that color. The cool part about that is if tou wanted to do it is the lower valance off the Heritage is color matched, it is molded in Burgandy Plastic.
I know with the STX I have 1 of 141 that came with the 5.4 S/Cab Flairside bed. Simoli hasn't gotten the color breakdown on them yet, but the don't even offer True Blue on the STX in 04

 

cgorris,
I don't know about Kansas City production. I will try to find out.
The trucks in question all came out of the Norfolk, Va. plant. They have a windshield sticker in the bottom R/H corner that states this.
I do however like the color of your truck, looks better than this "silver". As soon as the digital camera and myself make-up and start talking again, I will post some photos.
If i find any other interesting items, I will past them along.

 

I have a 2003 XL Sport 4X4 RC SB with a 4.6L. Door sticker build date 04/2003. Decal on the lower right hand corner of the windshield. Bought new last month in Greenwood, IN.
Is there any way to identify the engine long block? At least with the Cleveland V-8 it was easy, one just had to look for the fuel pump location.

 

I used the site online VIN decoder and other than not recognizing the year of production it worked well. My truck was built in Norfolk, VA! Build date 04-2003, see previous post.
What all this means, if anything, I'm not sure but if I have a fuel rail problem I can always tell the service department to order a Mustang fuel rail.

 

Sounds like you may have one, it will have a 6 disc changer in dash, adjustable pedals, overhead console and cloth interior.
Does it have the "sport" decals on the sides of the bed or just one on the tail gate, to the right side of the F-150 emblem?
Is it a swb fleet side or a swb flareside?
Seems the Ford emptied the accesories bin to build the last ones.

 

2003 F150 4X4 RC SWB XL STYLESIDE, reflective sport decals on both flanks and none on the tailgate. Build date 04-03 in Virginia.

 

Sorry It has been such a long time,

I have been too busy to reply. After quite a few e-mails and phone calls I finally got in touch with Ford and received a reply.
This is a list of the last 12's equipment and colors.

1) All of the last 12 were short wheel base chassis, styleside & flareside beds. Six of each. True 2-dr cabs. 2wd only.
2) Three each of the following colors - Silver clearcoat met., Black clearcoat, Bright red clearcoat,True blue clearcoat met.
3) All 12 have 4.6 engine with automatic trans. 3:55 l/s diffs.
4) Engine is a 260 h.p. Mustang bottom end with truck series intake added for fitment reasons. The camshafts, pistons, etc. are Mustang profiles. Estimated horsepower - 240 - 250 due to intake differences.
5) All 12 have a Ford / Penda liner in the bed from the factory.
6) Wheels are 10 spoke aluminum with B.F.G.'s .
7) Interior has cloth 60 / 40 seats with console, conv. group, overhead console, adjustable pedals, keyless intery, etc.
8) Radio is in-dash 6 disc with a subwoofer behind the pass. side seat. This was not an option in 2003's.
9) The "sport" decals were left off the sides of bed. One decal was applied to the tailgate, to the right side of the F-150 logo.
10) All 12 were of Xlt package, no XL's or Lariets.
11) Were produced at the Norfolk assembly plant between 02-03
and 03-03. Last 12 were delivered to S.E. Dealers, sold in April
and/or May.

I have located 3 of these trucks and their owners, 1 being mine.
Will continue to search for the other 9.
Maybe we can arrange a "reunion" or meeting at a local show.

 

Siber,

I think the ones that you are seeing around Knoxville may actually be the Toredeaur Red. They look almost Identical and you can usually only see the difference when they are side by side. The reason I say this is because I too have seen several others that look almost the same color but when I get close and look at it then mine I can tell that mine is slightly lighter.

 

As soon as I can learn how to post photos, I will send some to this forum. Have multiple photos of trucks mentioned in these previous posts.

 

I don't suppose there is a way to visually identify a Mustang long block from a truck long block is there?