I need your advice guys.
Here goes!
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1976 F150
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390 FE Rebuilt with 20k Miles
Solid Axles 3.82 Gears
NP435 4 Spd Trans with Granny Low
NP205 Transfer Case
3" Body Lift / 4" Block Lift
Like New 35x12.5x15 American Racing Rims

Body looks to be in good condition with very little to no visible rust. Appears to have fairly new paint.
Seller wants $4250.oo for the truck. However, "Needs light mechanical work to be road ready."
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I''ll Just copy & past the email response when I inquired about it:

Seller:
"I've had it in storage for well over a year. Probably needs a new battery. I was having some issues with the clutch. The clutch was sticking and it was hard to get it in first gear. First gear is not needed because it's geared low. I think it's a linkage issue though."
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What are the common issues with this year truck. The truck looks to be well taken care of but the shifting and clutch issue is a point of concern. How would I go about checking if it is a linkage issue or something more severe. Also with it setting for so long the oil has to be sitting on the bottom of the engine all gunked up, dont really want to drive that home (130 Miles) without changing the oil asap. I will be going up to check out the truck before I buy it, I would just like a couple more peoples thoughts on what to check out or test before I buy.

Oh and is this a fair price for this truck?

 

"Sitting well over a year" translates into....its been sitting since the late 90's...And regarding linkage, the tranny itself has no linkage, its simply got a stick that "stirs" the gears. Clutch linkage is pretty simple, but im guessing its got bigger problems. Body lift may be causing bind in clutch linkage, and a 3" body, 4" suspension lift may cause you heartaches. If i remember right, 3.73 or 4.10's are the common ratios, and many so called 390's are just 360's. 35" tires and 3.73 gears are going to make for kinda low RPM's at highway speed, and with 7" of lift, im not sure you want to drive it super fast anyway. Its a really nice looking truck, but id want to closely examine how the front was lifted, if the guy stacked blocks on the rear axle, etc......For the most part 3" body lifts "Scream" half assed engineering............with what you describe as far as sitting, "slight" mech issues to make it roadworthy, etc...id say his price is too high. with whats been done, id call it a $2500 truck, no more unless the guy has actually overstated its problems

 

Oh, and actually after re-reading the info the current owner sent you, with 35" tires and lets just say 3.73 or so gears, its NOT geared that low! i would probably start off in 1st gear from a stop if i was on any kind of upslope at all, otherwise you may need to rev it up a little and slip the clutch to start off. Most guys would want 4.10's with 35" tires, especially if youve only got a 2bbl 360 engine........If you read this, try posting your concerns on the 73-79 Forum, you will attract a bigger group of readers! Good Luck

 

In what i assume to be the older pictures, truck looks lower, and has rubber fender flares on it.....other photos, it looks higher and flares are gone.....He didnt have enough clearance and added the body lift, then he developed clutch linkage problems. Just guesses on my part, but do your research carefully!