new to ST's. Bought a 2004 two weeks ago

[napierjohn]

My brother raves about his 2001 that just keeps charging hard so I made the plunge and bought this 2004 XLT in southern Indiana for $4800 with 140,000 miles on it. Missing several pats to include tonneau, bed extender, center console (though bug out bag is there), and front tow hooks. It also has paint peeling from the metal.
Have lots of questions so far and will post them. Once I got home I saw the extent of the road salt rust and started replacing parts, wire brushing off underbody rust, and prime/black painting every rusty part I have touched. The engine sounds and runs fine but I will see where I really am once I am done with all the suspension and brake work.
Plans in progress:
- Remove and paint over rusted frame and suspension - everything I can reach.
- Replace rotors, rusted calipers, pads, shocks, leaf spring broken at the front eye, other leaf spring has rusted/worn bushings, rusted leaf spring shackles, rebuild rusted parking brakes.
- paint and install junkyard tow hooks
Future plans:
- Comb though engine replacing all the parts that wear (spark plugs, wires, fluids, and anything else I can think of)
- Replace fiberglass bed panel with good junk yard one I located
- Figure out paint issue (flaking off down to bare metal) - will post about this

The pile of rusted parts keeps growing.

Glad to be on board, guys!

 

[napierjohn]

Also noticed the body mount bushing rubber is falling apart on several. Gotta check the engine mounts. Most likely gonna replace all that, too.

 

[DILLARD000]

Welcome to the Herd! Lots of friendly knowledgable folk in these forums.
Looks like you'll have that ExST is proper order before too long.
Be sure to renew the two OilPressurized TimingTensioners, unless you know they've been changed recently.
Several NotoriousFailureItems in this drivetrain, should be addressed ASAP before they bite you.
Along with changing ALL the fluids.

 

[napierjohn]

Thanks for the fine welcome and the knowledge. Just watched a video on those tensioners and added that to my 'HaveToDo' list.
I have lots to learn about this truck and it's nuances.
Happy to hear about any other things to check / do. Thanks.

 

[blert]

Welcome!
Since you are possibly doing the timing chain tensioners... consider also replacing the crappy plastic thermostat housing with an aluminum one. The front tensioner is so much easier to deal with if the thermostat housing is off. And if you are removing it there is no point in putting the plastic one back on because if it is not already leaking it soon will be.
Be aware that before you take out the timing tensioners you should probably drop the oil pan and look for any plastic debris in the pan. If there is debris, one or both of the tensioner cassettes could possibly fall apart when you remove the tensioners.

 

[Todd Z]

Welcome