Hey everybody. New to the forum, and to building up trucks. Been on many other forums (NASIOC, Bimmerforums, E46fanatics) and they have all been a great help in my automotive conquests, hoping this is yet another! Anyways I just picked up a 89 F350 XLT Lariat reg cab long bed auto with 140K for dirt cheap for a winter beater/trail truck. Guy drove it 3k a year for winter and ice fishing. No title, and not spending $$$ on a carfax, so not 100% sure on the engine (know its a V8, I'll put a pic up tmr for ya'll to identify). But the driveline is pretty sound, no constant CEL, tranny shifts smooth, and 4wd works.

Only problem with the engine I've noticed happened once when I was stopped at a light. The oil pressure gauge started to get finnicky and dropped down, making the CEL flicker on/off and making the idle drop down a bit. Drove up to the next light and the pressure went back to normal and truck was running smooth again. Any ideas?

And for the real reason it was cheap was RUST. The bed is in sorry shape! I have pics of the rear fender wells below. Was checking out some repair panels:
1987-98 Ford Pickup/Bronco Upper Rear Wheel Arch, LH
I don't weld or do body work so I would have a shop install both panels and fix the other spots. Worth it or should I look for a new bed? In this condition it WILL NOT pass Mass inspection.

The truck has a lift, think its a 4" Ranchero. And the guy who did it did not put a drop pitman arm on the truck so steering is pretty much all over and loose like crazy. The steering stabilizer is also broke (shock is connected to nothing and just hangs there off the outer mounting point…) Some good replacement options? Don't need anything too fancy for now. Hell, the steering column is a mess too, wiggles around, have to hold directionals (they don't 'click' up or down) and hazard button doesn't move. Probably will source a new column in the future.
Stabilizer:
MONROE SA1930 Steering Damper/Steering Stabilizer | eBay

What pitman arm can I use thats interchangeable through the model years? I can't find much for 89 F350s
This won't fit the 350? Why?
Zone Offroad Ford Dropped Pitman ArmF8401 - tal4x4.com

It also needs some interior bits, anyone know where I can find the little trim pieces that go around the power window/door lock buttons?? Or is that just junkyard salvaging…

Thanks! Questions comments please! I'll put some more pics up soon.





Trying to keep the rust off of my baby which just hit 100k this week

 

nice bimmer....not a bimmer type tho im a truck boy LOL, as for the interior sometimes you can ****** pieces on ebay but for the most part unless you have a doner truck around you would be more or less better going to a JY/PAP to get that stuff...

 

I'm parting out my '88 F350, so If you need anything, just let me know!

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...rting-out.html