Looking for a pickup

Searching for a 98-03 F-150 4x4. The ones I find are nice looking in the pictures but when I drive to check them out these things are POS, the rockers are gone, front tires worn out and they're asking $7000 - $8000 and they aint worth $4000.  

Anyhow I found a 99 F-150 4x4 stepside body, it looks sharp, aint rusted, has 131,000 miles on it, $6500, lots of new parts, front and rear brakes, new intake, idler arm, pitman arm ,tie rods, ball joints just to name a few... but it's a 4.2 V-6 . I've had the 5.4 V.8 before but no real world experience with this engine. Don't know how the performance would be. It probably wouldn't pull a trailer with a car on it very good, which isnt a deal breaker cause I have access to trucks at work. I just don't want to buy something that is a no no. What kinds of input do you guys have on this?

Thanks

I have a 98 with the 4.2L reg cab SB 2wd, it has enough power to tow my boat no problem, probably a little under powered for the car trailer though. My wife claimed it because she likes it, but the trans just went out now I am trying to talk her into letting me put a mild 472` & C6 into it as I have to change the trans anyway , and I don`t know why she likes the older truck when she can drive the new one

The 5.4 is the only way to go,IMO.

Take a flight down here. They are a dime a dozen around here. Can find thematic plenty in the 4500 to 6500. Rust is not a issue with them here.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Take the time for a ride down south. It'll pay off^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I grew up in Michigan....and I don't miss seeing all the cars with rust holes in 'em so big you could throw a cat through 'em.

dr's wife racing wrote:Take a flight down here. They are a dime a dozen around here. Can find thematic plenty in the 4500 to 6500. Rust is not a issue with them here.

Good advice, I'll keep my eyes peeled down this way Mike. If we find ya something, fly down, I'll pick ya up at the airport.