So with all the videos being posted of 1/2 tons towing massive loads, this video explains how it is possible and why it is just marketing. As a note most trucks can pull significantly more than they are rated to tow but stopping that load and keeping wheel bearings, axles, difs, etc. from needing replaced every 500 miles from overloading is a different story.
Back to on topic the truck has gone 11 or 12 years before the rust became an issue, and the realistic resolution to the pinched brake line would have been using molded plastic, which if it broke would have drove this to be a topic of how things "aren't built like they used to." Additional paint wouldn't necessarily solve the problem because it is in a location where rocks get thrown around so the paint would chip and paint doesn't always adhere perfectly either. A rubber rock guard would more than likely have deteriorated to nothing within 5 or 6 years and more likely than not caused worse rust by trapping in the salt and water.
You can't predict every issue, however, Fords around that age have worse issues that sent a bunch of engines to the junkyard before even reaching 12 years old with their 6.0L, 6.4L powerstrokes and 5.4 tritons.
does this count for the beverages?