Hey guys, while I'm working on my 2WD 86 F250 XL (460 cu.in.), I'm sort of thinking of looking for a different truck. Not sure what year, but I like the both the 1973-1979 and 1980-1986 models. The 86 F250 is my first truck and I bought it a few months ago. Kind of had to make a quick purchase because the old SUV was breaking down, so I didn't get to take much time to consider what I really wanted. It's a good truck, but maybe not quite the truck for me. Can I get some opinions/advice based on what I "think" is important to me? I say think, cuz I'm not all that sure these "wants" are practical.

Here's what I "think" I want:

1) 4WD. Not that I will be doing much off road driving, but I would like the option when I go fishing. I also like the look of a truck that's a little higher off the ground and has off road knobby tires.
2) Long bed for hauling stuff to the dumps and back from the hardware store vs. a short bed. Not sure how important this should be to me. Any of you with short beds ever wish you had a longer bed?
3) Good paint job or body in good enough shape to have it painted and look nice.
4) Gas mileage. Not critical, but I would like to get a little better than horrible. I think 7 mpg is horrible (what I got last time I checked). 10 would be better.
5) Easy to work on. This is important to me. I not only would like to save money by doing some of the engine work myself, but I enjoy learning about it.
6) Doesn't have to be the biggest engine, but don't want a whimp (if they even exist) either.
7) Other things I'm not thinking of. I'm sure there are some important considerations or problems with certain years/models that would be good to avoid.

Any advice you guys could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Also, any argument in favor of a 73-79 model vs an 80-86 model would also be appreciated. Thanks.

 

The 80-86 frames are swiss cheese when compared to the 73-79 frames, sounds like you want a 76-79 F150, with an IL6 300, manual tranny, 3.23 gearing w/31" tires, should net close to 20mpg if you're easy on the skinny pedal.

 

Yeah, what montana said!

 

That sounds like exactly what hes looking for.

I agree with Montana. If you want something strong, look in the dentside generation. There's a reason there are still so many of them being used.

 

I'm curious why you excluded the 73-75 years. Which of the features you mentioned are missing in those years?

I assume the IL6 300 engine is easy to work on?

And for an inexperienced newbie, why is the 3.23 gearing important?

Wow, I can't believe the 20 mpg. I mean, I believe you, but wow.

 

The 300 is stupid easy to work on. They are darn near bulletproof too. As long as you maintain it, it'll do you good.

Now the gearing is all about rpms and ratios. Think of the axle gears as like transmission gears. With 3.23 gears, it will take 3.23 revolutions of the input shaft to equate to one revolution of the axles. With 4.10s, it takes 4.10 revolutions of the input shaft to equal one revolution of the axles. So, the lower the number on your gear ratio, the lower the number of revolutions of thr input shaft is required to spin to move you the same amount of distance down the road as it would with 4.10s. This all equates to lower engine rmp which = less fuel consumed = better fuel economy.

Comprende?

 

^ jgavac nailed it, gearing like 3.23's are highway friendly (with the appropriate tire size) equals better gas mileage.

I only excluded 73-75 because there were no F150's (until late '75) but the 73-75 F100's are a decent candidate for you as well.

 

460 not available with 4WD or M/T until 1983 / 1968/76 F100/250 4WD: 360 only V8 available, 390 not offered with 4WD

1968/74 F100/350: 240 I-6 standard equipment, 300 I-6 & V8's optional / 1975/79 F100/350: 300 I-6 standard equipment, V8's optional.

1979: First year F350's available with 4WD.

 

As far as the long vs. short bed goes I've had both and have a small farm so I use my trucks for hauling quite a bit. I have wished I've had a long bed when I was owning a short bed but not often. I've also had times with a long bed that I wished I had a 12' flatbed. I have a short bed now and can make do just fine. I prefer the aesthetics of a short bed on most pickups anyways.

 

(Half-tons)...I would exclude 73-75 4x4s simply because the OEM PS system sucks donkey, 76-77 4x4s had the Y-style steering. Therefore, I would pick 78-79s with the T-style steering. Then again, I have a 73 cuz it is emissions exempt so sometimes that can dictate certain choices... However, I did retrofit a 79 steering system.

2X with an inline-6... waaay easy to work on, really good aftermarket support, decent MPG. A 3.25 rear gear is relatively easy to find in the JY.
Header(s), dual exhaust, an Offy 4V intake, and a 500-600 cfm carb and you're there. EZ.

2WD? Sure... then the field is wide open from 73-79.

 

76 and up have shoulder seat belts while older models have lap belts. I prefer the later models just because they have improvements over all previous years the downside is they typically have more emissions equipment in the later models. The suspension steering and drivetrain is also improved with the newer 70s models. Tilt steering wheel came out as an option in 78. 77.5 and up do not have gas tanks in the cab they are under the bed. Some earlier models don't have cab tanks I had a 76 f250 2wd that didn't but I think the all the older 4x4s did. 79 models have bigger u-joints all around than older years. The 78 and 79s have better door and vent window seal designs.

 

stay away from the 460 if you want better mileage. I get close to 8 mpg with mine...

 

Shoulder belts became standard equipment in 1977 F100/350's except High Boys.

1967/76 all and 1977 High Boys: Lap seat belts were standard equipment, shoulder straps were optional.

Upper R/L corners of cab have plugs that once removed, expose threaded holes that straps bolt to.

With shoulder straps, lap seat belts are different as they have two buckles, one for the tongue of the shoulder strap, one for the tongue of the lap belt.

 

Sounds to me like your describing (wanting) a mid 90's Ford Ranger. What's the point of a 73-79 if all your going to do is haul garbage and go fishin'? No need to answer, just thought I'd throw that out there as an option.

 

Well, I appreciate the suggestion, but to answer your question, I wouldn't want a mid 90's Ranger cuz I don't think they're nearly as cool looking as the 6th and 7th generation F-series trucks and it would be harder for me to work on the newer engine. To be honest, it would be cheaper for me to just rent a truck whenever I need one rather than buying one, but then I would miss out on the fun of driving and working on/learning about one of the old classic trucks.