[Demi]

This shit is awesome. Im looking for a truck to haul my ass, gear and tow the evo to the track with. I want something older that is easy to work on because damned if Im owning two complex vehicles. Guys I have never bought a used truck. What should I be looking at and what should I be asking?

http://valdosta.craigslist.org/cto/2839491412.html

Im not being cute either. I think this thing is the horse's hangdown. I plan to DD it.

 

[irmerm]

given the age, top things will be:
- rust issues on frame, suspension, body panels
- wiring. Check to make sure the electrical system hasn't been made a mess of
- fuel consumption: how many gallons per mile on this beast?

 

[Demi]

given the age, top things will be:
- rust issues on frame, suspension, body panels
- wiring. Check to make sure the electrical system hasn't been made a mess of
- fuel consumption: how many gallons per mile on this beast?

My guess?

"1 highway, 0 city"

 

[irmerm]

Canyonero...

If it runs, the transmission works, and the bearings and suspension aren't shot, buy it. Not sure how many experts on vintage heavy duty trucks frequent these forums, lol.

 

[Billett]

^ I'd guess about 10-15mpg's. Love the older style trucks though. Fixing up a few from my cousin's farm. Found a really sweet Diamond Rio I'd love to turn into a car hauler. Be careful though, you say you don't want complex, but you'll definitely have problems fairly often for a while before you get everything completely worked out on it. Wiring and rust would be my top two also

 

[Demi]

Wiring and rust. Copy that. Emailed for some more pictures and hope to go see it tomorrow. Ill take some pictures of my own and let you guys see what you think.

 

[Billett]

now that I look at it we're working on something pretty similar now lol

have you ever bought a car this old before? in general you'd look for the same type of thing you do for a normal used car only there are a lot less things to look at on something this old. Bring a magnet to check for bondo, make sure you look at the inner fenders from inside the engine bay. sometimes they rust out and water gets up inside the bay, and those older style engines weren't designed well enough to keep water out of vital parts. If it's a wood bed take a look underneath to be sure none of the planks are rotting out from the bottom and they aren't held there by some hack job. From the pics it looks pretty well taken care of, but you never know.

and for curiosity's sake is that 4 spd on the column or floor? the one we have has three on the tree :shades:

 

[Frankiago]

Horrible fuel economy...

When I'm in the market for a pick'em'up truck, I'm going the turbo diesel route. Good fuel economy (comparatively) and last for 300,000+ miles. Unless you throw a few bolt-ons and a tune and crank out 900wtq...

 

[Billett]

I just like how unique they are. when you're hauling that much stuff you can't be super picky about fuel economy

 

[Tdiggity]

Here's mine, it was my dd for 2 years, it's only got 64k original miles on it's 352 v8, getting 12-14 mpg.


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[Tdiggity]

Your most likely going to see rust in the cab corners and the door sills, also where the fenders bolt up under the hood. You should look at the slick60's stuff there's all kinds of info on there


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[N.G.S.]

You should worry about the frame , sheet metal , motor and all the cosmetic pieces as they are the most expensive. Take a close look at the frame because if it is riddled with rust then you will be wasting your time. I'm guessing that Nashville doesn't lay down too much salt on the roads so rust should be surface mainly.

How much work are you willing to put into it to DD it? It will be a totally different ride than what you are used to but it will bring a smile to your face when you get into it. I recently spent about two years bringing an old Toyota LandCruiser back to life and I love to drive it. I do know that every time I get into it that I am going back in time and the technology of the day lacks a lot of what we now take for granted.

 

[Rangerman87]

Best part is it's a Ford,built like a tank.No computers or smog,the best part.Engine wise it either has the 361 5.9l v8,292 4.8l v8 and more than likely the 240 inline 6.Great find.

 

[Tdiggity]

Ask him for a picture of the data plate inside the driver door, It will give you alot of info on what it was like from the factory and what factory it was built in. It will also give you the original paint code I love driving my 66 and parts are pretty easy to come by with LMC, Dennis Carpenter, and a few others, you can order whatever parts you need. But like everyone else stated pay very close attention to the frame.


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[Tdiggity]

Best part is it's a Ford,built like a tank.No computers or smog,the best part.Engine wise it either has the 361 5.9l v8,292 4.8l v8 and more than likely the 240 inline 6.Great find.

It could also be what's in mine which is a 5.8ltr 352 v8 but I have a three speed manual (three on the tree) they only put the 352 in 65 and 66 in the slicks


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[Armando]

COYOTE...how many illegals can u fit in the back of that thing?...lol offer a lot less

 

[Billett]

I'll be honest I didn't even look at the price at first. If it's in good working condition though without too much rust that would be about right for my area.