Hi all Im hoping for a litle bit of helpful insight. My parents were talking about getting a truck for the occasional needs around their farm. My uncle has a 54 F100 that has been in the family since day one and has always been under covered parking. It is completely rust free never been wrecked straight body. It has the original 239 OHV engine that was rebuilt once about 30 years ago and only a handful of miles since then. About 6 years ago the base of the carbed cracked and my uncle couldnt find a replacement. The truck has sat since then but it is located down in Texas so the weather seems to be pretty easy on it.

In all reality is this a truck that for under say $6-7k could be made in to a economical semi modernized rig comparatively speaking. Would just need to haul some hay and stuff like that from time to time.

Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

For $6-7K your parents could buy a very nice later model F150 and would have far less trouble when it came to daily maintenance. IMO you have to be in love with these old trucks to own one...

 

I forgot to mention I would be doing all the work myself, Im not new to doing fairly large projects and have no problems fixing issues as they arise or modifying parts. The reason I would like them to get the truck is because it has a lot of sentimental value to me and it is going to waste right now. Always seemed to be a dependable truck when it was used.

 

i say go for it.

 

yeah, buy a late model for the work horse.
save the '54 to save the '54
JML

 

I personally would find a replacement carb and try and get the motor running.

Some light use around a farm isn't going to hurt anything. As long as you aren't planning on pulling a horse trailer or the like with it, it should do anything that you need it to do.

Once you get it running and use it for a while, then decide if its what you are looking for. If it doesn't fit the bill you can always get another pickup down the road...plus you will have a family owned classic running!

I personally would rather see an old truck used lightly around the ranch...bringing a smile to your face every time you fire it up, then sitting not running in a shed.

 

Fix the carb and drive it. Then decide how far you want to take it and do so in stages.

 

I tend to agree with the idea of spending a few$ to see if you can get it running. Drive it for a while and enjoy seeing it in action. "Modernization" can be a never ending quest and, depending on how modern you want it, can be expensive. Make a deal with your Uncle that if he ever wants to get rid of it, you'll be first in line! Keep it in the family. From the sound of your post, you have fond memories of it.

 

I don't know what you mean by "modernization" but for work around the farm just get a carb and get it running and it will serve your purpose. With the 239 and stock rearend it will run 55+mph on the highway. It will be strong enough to do some heavy work when needed, but you may not want to use it for hard work after you get it fixed up!!

Show us some pictures, please!