I think that F-150 was in extreme conditions that would affect a small % of them. I got rid of a 2002 Explorer Sport-Trac that I bought new and which spent 95+% of its life outside in the Midwest. It was rusty for sure, but nowhere that bad. It still had many years of life to go.
You don't have to lower the Bronco, you take the spare off then lift it, do the remaining swaps leaving the spare replacement on the ground, lower the Bronco and add the spare back. For someone used to doing this it doesn't add more than 3-4, minutes of time, 5 at most.
The dash takes away all the Gen 1 charm? Really? You do realize the Gen 1 had one large round gauge. Do you think that's what the Gen 6 should have? No tech at all?