Rory, pretty sure both my trucks had the amber side marker on the front. That picture might be deceiving? It's an XLT.
I remember all the hub bub about the new "Superduty" and it replacing the OBS. I really liked my '96, especially with the Vortech on it! I didn't want to get rid of it, but with my A plan the difference ended up like $75/month payment(my '96 was paid off). So I ordered the new SD as soon as my local dealer had the information. Since the leaves were not on the trees yet in the picture the day I picked it up, it was early spring. I ordered it without a bumper, as I wanted a big drop bumper, which was back ordered since the trucks weren't out yet.
I didn't really want a diesel originally, but in early 2000 they had a deal going on PSD's and I stopped and talked and we struck a deal. I ordered it with PSD/6spd/4.10 all black XLT. Since the V10 truck was a "1999", they considered it only one year old when I traded it in(even though I got it in early 1998). I got good money for it, thus I did the deal. The PSD was an awesome truck, really enjoyed driving it. That truck had no cat on it, just a muffler so I straight piped it. Sounds really good going under overpass pulling my trailer. In 2001, they upped the HP to 275 and installed cats on the diesels.
I think 2001 was when they came out with with factory driving lights. My buddy has 2002 with the driving lights.