Hey everyone I know I haven't been on here in a while after I sold my truck but now im looking to buy a new one. Anyway I found some trucks and I need some expert opinions to see if these are good buys for the money.

Truck 1: 1976 Supercab
- F250
- long bed
- 390 engine--runs good
- C6 tranny--has shifting issues
- minimal rust
- loose steering--no specifics there
- good rims and tires (aftermarket)
- 2wd
- $1525

Truck 2: 1976 standard cab
- F250
- 5.9l motor (360 if I remember)
- 2wd
- needs u joints
- needs oil pan gasket
- $1100

Truck 3: 1971 custom camper special
- 360 engine
- 4 speed manual
- 360 motor
- 3/4 ton
- long bed
- 71,000 miles
- lots of new parts (carb, electric choke, manifolds, vacuum advance diagram, fuel line and filter, brake shoes, wheel cylinders, brake lines, front shocks, radius arm bushings, I beam bushings, radio, cherry bombs)
- $2000

Truck 4: 1979 standard cab
- F150
- 4 speed auto
- 4x4
- minimal rust
- manual hubs
- new brake booster and master cylinder
- new windshield wipers
- heat and AC
- 33 inch tires with aftermarket rims
- stock tires and rims
- factory highboy
- long bed
-brush guard
- 8 inch crack in windshield
- seat in poor shape
- no reverse lights
- $5000

Also how well will the 2wd trucks go through snow? Being here in Wisconsin means we get a lot of snow so I need to know if I should even consider a 2wd.

Thanks for your help.

 

I like the sounds of 2,3, and 4. If i was buying one here in cali id go with the 71 cuz there is no smog required on it IDK what your laws are but #4 sounds sweet but has a hefty price tag. #2 seems good for the price and it has minimal repairs. Also #4 seems nice because its a 4x4 and i refuse to own a 2wd

Also, whats your fav grill look? a 76 and a 79 are different. I think the 73-77's look like a hammer head shark while the 78/79 models look like a great white or something.lol

Overall id go with 3, or 4. Just my 2 cents

 

The best grille look in my opinion is the 73-77 look. We have no smog laws which is pretty sweet. I like #2 the best as well in terms of looks, but I like the 4x4 of #4...too bad I have minimal cash to spend. How hard are u joints to replace? I'm 17 with little automotive experience so would I be better off having someone else do it or is it an easy repair for an amateur?

 

I would be leaning towards trucks 3 or 4, depending upon how much I wanted four wheel drive. Have you seen any of these in person, I would actually probably look at all of them if they were not too far away from me. They all sound like they could have potential, but descriptions in ads can be deceiving to say the least. Good luck on finding a good one to start with.

 

All of he trucks are sadly an hour away from me all in different directions...

Anyone know how well a 3/4 tone 2wd handles in the snow? Here in southern Wisconsin we get a good deal of snow, and this winter I hear we are going to get our asses buried lol. I do like truck 1 because of the extended cab and how clean it is. I like truck 2 because its cheap. I like truck 3 because of all the new parts. And I like truck 4 because of the 4x4. I'll see if I can get some links up to the Craigslist ads...

 

I should add in the fact that I can't drive a stick shift very well yet...

 

My experience with two wheel drives in snow is that with good tires and sand bags or some type of weight in the back, they will get around pretty well. I lean towards everything four wheel drive, but that is just me and where I live....especially when we drive on our river's ice road in the winter, (I live most of the year in rural Alaska and we drive on the frozen Kuskukwim River) but even a lot of our Native Alaskans drive two wheel drives around and always carry a chain and shovel to dig out of snow drifts. You can get around with a two wheel drive, but I always used sand bags in the bed (four or six at least).

 

Well I contacted the guy with the '76 supercab and he told me the tranny needs some work because it needs you to feather the gas to get it to shift...not sure what that issue is... He also told me that the steering is loose and the truck has the typical "ford wander". What is that? I take it that there's an issue with the power steering?

The guy with the '76 standard cab said the tranny is an automatic

And I found my original truck I sold back in July...the guy says it now has a 390 in it and it has a flatbed on it...

Side question: why do most 4x4's now have flat beds? Did their beds rot out more than the 2wd beds? I'm confused with that because most of their cabs actually look pretty clean.

 

4X4 is definitely nice around here, but the added maintenance and repairs combined with a limited budget and lack of automotive experience would make me lean towards a 2 wheel drive. Also, I wouldn't worry about a manual, these trucks are easy to drive.

 

personally i would go with #3 or possibly #1 ..... 3 is your best all around choice IMHO but 1 isn't bad either but i would check the vins because as popularly stated every 360 magically becomes a 390 on sale day..... even if tranny needs rebuilt you can get that done for $350-600 range and it would still be similar price as #3...... on the steering slop that is something you would have to check out, it could be as easy as a steering disk coupler but if it is front end needing replaced a.k.a. tie rods and such i would shy away from it...... do your homework before you buy any old vehicle and make sure it appeals to you and your situation, good luck and happy driving

 

If it helps the guy with the supercab with bad steering says that it has been off the road in a barn for the past five or six years. I'm not sure if that helps but I can see how this might cause some parts (like gaskets) to go bad...

 

Remember those jeeps the USPS used to use? They were 2wd and they got around in the snow pretty well, of course they had skinny tires and a limited slip diff. And weighed about half as much. Ok maybe not the best example...

Anyway, #4 is not a 'factory highboy'. From what I understand they were only F250s and they stopped making them midway through 1977. If 4x4 is what you want then go check that one out. Point out that its not a highboy, you'll have to fix the windshield, and anything else you find ...the so-and-so leaks, the interior is shot, needs this and that... Then tell him you're at $2500 (bring cash). If there's not a whole lot wrong with it maybe negotiate up to $3k if you like it. Maybe he'll go for it maybe not. If you can't get it for the price you want then just walk away. Ford made enough of these truck, you can always find another one. But if that's the truck you want most, start there.

I checked my local CL and there is a 78 short bed (generally more desirable) going for $2500. I think that is a reasonable price range for a mostly stock 4x4.