JMoney689's F-150 "Freedom Edition"

  • Thread starter Thread starter JMoney
  • 26 comments
  • 2,705 views
JMoney

JMoney

Messages
2,260
United States
N. Jessamine, KY
Messages
JMoney-689
Messages
Woodside689
03 F-150 XL 4.2 Manual-Transmission Regular Cab Short Bed RWD The cheapest 10th-gen F-150, in Dark Gray. I call it the F-150 Freedom Edition because the entire truck is gray other than the U.S. Flag stickers, which stand out. (and because 'Merica)

IMG_1.JPG

Taken on September 15th, 2012, the day I first brought it home.

IMG_1507.JPG

October 2012, after respraying the bumper and removing the light bar.

IMG_1861.JPG

February 2013, with added custom bumper and new headlights

IMG_3470.JPG

December 2013, now with foglights, bed cover, and windshield decal.

IMG_5016.JPG

August 2014, now with plasti-dipped wheels.

IMG_5179.JPG

October 2014, alongside my friend's 996.

While F-150's are the most common vehicle in the U.S, mine cannot get much more unique. The following is a list of modifications either I or my grandfather (the previous owner) have done to it.

Custom-designed steel Push Bumper
Extra Rear Leaf Springs
Aftermarket Headlights
Valence Grille
Black Bug Shield
Brake controller for towing
Line-X console
Ford Racing steering wheel cover
Bag of Moisture-absorbing rocks under passenger seat (looks very suspicious)
"Ford Racing" Windshield Sticker
"UK" back window sticker
Chrome Jesus fish on tailgate (stolen, replaced)
Chrome "Paul Miller Ford" badge on tailgate
Darkest legal Window Tinting
"GOP" sticker
"Bush-Cheney '04" sticker
U.S. Flag stickers on side, rear windows.
K&N Performance Air Filter
Carbon Fiber Trim on gear shift
Rolling Steel Bed Cover
255 Cooper Discoverer AT/3 tires
RainX 20" Wipers
Fire Extinguisher in bed
Bolted-in towing hooks in bed
Net spanning bed
Tailgate ladder
Foglights
Rear Mudflaps
Aftermarket radiator frame
Black trim on doors and bug shield
Black trim on F-150 badges on sides of truck
Black plasti-dip on wheels
 
Last edited:
The 4.6L was offered in regular cab trucks. I've worked on one with it ('97 I think it was). If you think that's a stout truck, you need to drive a '70s or '80s pickup. You would not believe some of the things we've done with our '85 F-250. That truck has 665,000 on it. It's in my avatar.
 
I must have been thinking of 2WD, Reg. Cab model. I might be wrong though.

I like the 10th-generation trucks the most because they are the smallest and lightest. Mine is the fastest naturally aspirated V6 F-150 from zero to sixty that Ford has ever made, and it will probably corner better than almost any other full-size truck as well... although it's fairly useless offroad.
 
Last edited:
That would make sense. The one I worked on was a 4x4.

True, but I'd much rather have a 300 I6 over the V6. The 300 has proven it's reliability and power more than it needed to over the last 45 years.
 
My 2002 Model Ford Falcon (inline 4L 6) has done the equivalent to 285,000 miles and has never had any major work done. That pickup sounds really nice man, got some pictures?
 
Finally got around to finding, and sadly, confirming, the top speed of the truck, at 98 mph (in 4th gear). I had hoped my grandfather had somehow disabled the limiter when he owned it. Interestingly, the top speed in the overdrive gear is only 94 mph.
 
Yes, very safe.

Anyway, I've now blacked out the F-150 badges using vinyl (except on the tailgate) and added some cheap mud flaps, which have seemed to make a difference. I also got a Ford Racing leather steering wheel cover to match the windshield. I looked into fender flares, but they are several hundred dollars for simple pieces of plasic, so that's not happening.

I might get my taillights tinted next. I'm also looking into getting a stationary sunroof installed.

image.jpg

image.jpg
 
I've always been curious as to how the old school flexy fender flares would look on these style trucks.
 
I imagine they'd look good, I don't want the kind with the fake bolts in them, just basic low-key flares.

If I ever do get them I'll probably end up paiting the bumpers a darker color to match them.
 
JMoney689
I imagine they'd look good, I don't want the kind with the fake bolts in them, just basic low-key flares.

If I ever do get them I'll probably end up paiting the bumpers a darker color to match them.
Click to expand...
No they don't have any of that. They are basically rubber flares that stock out about 2-3 inches.

PP_489_1_pacer_flexy_3x.jpg
showpic.php
 
Fender Flare Fender Flares??? This is madness!

But yeah, those do look silly on that Jeep. I'd want mine to stick out only about half an inch. Without larger tires (something I definitely don't want), there's no point in getting wide ones.
 
Tried to test the 0-60 by taking video of the speedometer, but shifted too early out of second and got stuck for a second in neutral trying to get into third. 11.5 seconds.

Starting to think an accurate time is impossible with a manual transmission and no tach.
 
Get an OBD2 Bluetooth device and get the Torque app for your andriod phone (assuming you have one). 15$ total, cheaper than a new dash cluster with a tach. If you can audible shift then it becomes easier once you learn what sound equals what RPM.

This is a cheap fix, but it works.
 
Very pleased with the result. Just need to shine up the tires. :D

image.jpg
 
That turned out really good! I would recommend this for the tires.

Bleach%20white%20.jpg

First this Westleys Bleach white for the white lettering.


133001.jpg

Then finish it off with ArmorAll Tire Shine GEL.
 
Last edited:
Yeah I'm pretty sure there's some Armor All somewhere in the garage.
 
image.jpg


Updated the Lego model with a longer bed and other small changes.
 
You only get 14mpg? Uh, the V8's get that. You should be getting at least 16-18.
 
It actually said 17-20 on the window sticker :lol:. I've measured it three times though, and it's been worse. It got 12 when I first bought it, 13 when I took the lights off and put on the Coopers, and then 14 when the bed cover was installed.

My best guess for why it's so bad is the diesel oil I use in it... but I'm just guessing, I really don't know what that would do to mileage. I know it's not my driving style either because my grandfather told me he got about the same mileage when he had it. Another possible factor is all of the added weight.
 
Got a Kentucky Wildcats plate frame, waiting on the new plate to come in before installing.
 
2-year anniversary came yesterday, I got it a Ford-logo hitch cover as a gift.
 

Latest Posts

Back