I can finally post on this forum as an owner, brought it home Saturday. I found a black-n-tan '03 XLT SCrew, 5.4, 4X4, 3.55LS. It has running boards and the sliding rear window, 6-disc changer, 16" wheels and what I guess is the camper towing package. It has the receiver and 4-pin as well as a socket? I was expecting a 7-pin that looks like the 4-pin...except with more pins. Anyway, it's a sweet truck and only has 29,000 on it, doesn't appear to have been in any accidents. The brakes indicate it's been driven mostly city, so I'll be doing those first. The receiver doesn't even have a scratch in it so it doesn't look like it was used for any towing or heavy work. Now it's time for some changes, first, new brake pads as I mentioned. Any suggestions? I put a set of ceramic pads on my Frontier and didn't notice any difference...even though they cost twice as much...will probably go back to Raybestos. Second, it still has the paper filter which is filthy. I put a K&N drop in, in my Fronty, again, didn't notice a difference. Anything out there better than K&N? Third, I plan to toss the factory exhaust, am leaning toward a magnaflow DIDO exiting either in front of the right rear or in front of the rear axle just facing down. Also, it doesn't have a bedliner, a truck should have a bedliner. I'll check the classifieds, would like at least a Ford drop in, doesn't have to be new. My Fronty had a Line-X in it, was very happy with that. But, don't know if I need to since I would like to put a black Undercover tonneau on it. Anyone have any experience with Undercover?
Finally, I appreciate everone's help, input and patience during my search for an F150. With your knowledge and experience, I avoided some potential pitfalls. For example, this truck was built in March of '03, well after the spark plug issue was presumably fixed. Anyway, I appreciate anyones feedback on the socket, brake pads, air filter, DIDO vs SIDO and Undercover tonneau covers.
Thank you all!!

 

Cool! Sounds liek a nice truck. Do you mind sharing how much you paid for it?

Intake: K&N Drop in is great for cleanability, but doesn't provide much/any power. The Air Force one intake kit is the one to get if you want a new tube.

Brakes: I was very happy with Napa Ceramix pads, but they ate up $35 Autozone rotors. Much better with the mid-level Napa rotors.

Undercover rocks. Wish I had gotten one.

 

Sounds like a beauty RufRider and with only 29K that’s practically new! Post up some pics so we can take a look-see

 

Thanks guys, I will get some pics and set up a profile. As far as price goes, I still had my little Frontier so was not desperate, had time on my side. Negotiation on this truck started in early October. It was on the dealer lot for $24,500, on autotrader.com for $22,500 "no haggle". I let them know I was interested but...according to Edmunds, the truck was worth $19,600. They said they would come down to $22,300, "...lowest we can go". We didn't talk for a while but I kept an eye on it. Then I noticed they lowered it to $20,995. So, I called and said remember me? Now we're getting closer. We went back and forth a few times, then I threw trading my truck in to the mix. In the mean time, due primarily to gas prices, Edmunds lowered their national base prices on the big trucks. So, now it was worth $19,287 according to Edmunds. Edmunds trade in value on my truck was $12,900. We finally shook out at $18,400 for the F150 and $13,000 in trade for my Frontier, net $5,400 plus tax.
It was an ordeal that started entirely by accident. When searching on Edmunds, you select xxx miles from your zip code. I accidentally hit 200 oops...it was late at night, probably had a few by then. Then I saw it and couldn't believe the perfect truck was 160 miles away. I'm not driving 160 miles to buy a used vehicle. Then when the price fell, I initiated conversation with them and talked myself in to it. Then guess what...Auto trader calcs the distance from your zip as the crow flies...driving distance was actually 230 miles up in the Fronty and 230 back in the F150. I had to fill it up to make it home!!
I love it though, big, roomy, comfy, powerful, everything I wanted. I got 16mpg on the way home, 1 mpg less than I got on my V6 Frontier. I found the tires, although new, had 28 lbs in both rears and 30 in both fronts?? I immediatly put them up to 40 all around. Even the wifey likes it AND she says, "honey, I'll never be able to drive this". I say good, let's keep it that way.

 

Did the tires call for 40? Most recommend 35. I would go with a high quality semi-meallic or the ceramic pad. I have the top Wagner semi-metallic, and really like them. I have the K % N drop in just to save on filters, not sure that it does much else. If I were getting an Undercover, I would get a BedRug. Sounds as if you got a great deal on a nice truck. Good luck.

 

Much Congrats to you. 03 is a good year

 

Sounds like a pretty fair deal to me. Congrats again on the nice new truck!

I'd keep tire pressure around 32psi all around on the stock tires. Much softer ride than 40psi.

 

Bluejay, I checked the tires, they are Goodyear Wrangler RT/S's, they say they take a max of 44 lbs. 40 is pretty stiff. Still need to get pics and profile set up. Also, hooked up with a forum member on the classified's, am buying his Undercover hard tonneau, should look nice on the black truck. I love this forum, really helped me during the search and now getting a nice tonneau, saving a few bucks while putting a few back in the hands of a forum member, he's getting a cap for his F150.

Thanks to all.

 

i run 35psi in my stock wrangler rts no problems on my 4x4 screw. 40 psi would be really stiff and ride way to hard but on the other hand 32psi is too soft and the truck seems to float or wonder in the turns. these things should have left he factory with rear sway bars. good luck on your purchase.