I just got this 99 F150XL with a 4.6L in it.
I have not done anything to her yet, but want to start to put some parts on her.
How do I tell if it has ABS without taking the wheels off first.
I know I need rear drums and shoes, because the mechanic told me when I had it safetied it will need them soon.
When I first start my truck there is an ABS light on the dash, but then shuts off.
Also if I drive on ice and slam the brakes on it slides out like there is no ABS???
New to this F150 stuff, but want to learn a lot more.
I was a mechanic for Cadillac for the last 14 years, and never seen anything but Cadillacs, so I am learning all over agin......lol
Oh also how can I tell what my paint code is on this truck?

 

For the ABS question - open the hood and trace the brake lines out of the master cylinder. If they go through an ABS module, you have ABS. If they go straight to the wheels, you don't have ABS.

Not sure about the paint code - is there a sticker on the door frame?

 

Look at each wheel up front, there should be a fluid line of course but also another line going to the front of the hub, part of it is white I believe. The rearens should have a plug on top of the diff angled down towards the front.

 

No ABS in this truck.
I don't see anything other than brake lines, and they go straight to the calipers on the front, and to the wheel cylinders on the back.

 

You got 2wd or 4x4? In any case, the sensor should be under that part of the dust shield that folds flatteror parallel to the ground a bit. Otherwise, you might have the rears only, in which case the sensor on the top of the rearend housing or diff is faulty. See if there is a plug on the top angled down towards the front some.