Just bought myself an 88 f350. Found this site while doing some research on how to fix her up. As i navigate I'm sure i'll find everything i'll need to know(interchangeable parts,rust issues,junkyard prices,how-to's,modifies,upgrades). Any tips much helpful.

 

Especially if you will be putting her on the road right away, one major thing you should look at are the brake lines. They tend to rust and pop when you least expect. One the rear in the back, directly above the the pumpkin is a notorious spot and look along the driver side frame rail -especially right where cab meets bed area.

Another good thing to do is to jack up each wheel and check for play. Wiggle wheels side to side and top to bottom. Make sure brake moving parts are greased, like caliper pins.

Check under hood, all your fluids, trace hoses and look for leaks, check belts for cracks or tear. All of this will help you get acquainted with it and gives you and idea of the overall condition or what to work on next.

Congrats on your "new to you" buy and good luck with her.

 

Not sure if i can post pics or not but she's pretty sweet. I was looking for a yard truck for dump runs or going to Lowes but still road worthy and something to get me around when its snowing. Was able to drive it home from buyers house with a simple plate swap. Was told he got it off a friend that wanted to cut it up so he could use the "special axles" but didn't because it was still in good shape. It has the 351fi gas(not sure about the windsor or cleveland?).Spray painted flat black with decent panels all around. 37" tires with a suspension lift not sure on size.

 

Wow! sounds like you got a pretty good deal there. How many miles?

 

it says 90 something, forgot to ask if it was 90 or 190….

 

welcome to FTE.
the 351 in the 88 will be a 5.8 windsor engine. cleveland was never put in trucks, and the last 351 M engines were used in 79 or 80.

 

Sounds like a decent truck

Your special axle is the dana 60 in the front. High demand

 

Congrats on the buy, 351's are strong engines. Go after the small stuff first, belts, hoses, check the fluids, etc.

 

Sounds like you have a flat black version of my truck. Post up some pics

 

i only have one picture up so far, check the garage

 

just picked up a set of doors today. switching out the automatics that don't work for some roll ups. interior colors don't match and obviously controls are different. got some tinkering to do there. glass and seals are all there and they have the bigger side mirrors with the three point mounts which i like better.