I have been wanting to restore an older vehicle for probably half my life now. College, marriage and now child seems to have put that into the distant future. Maybe not? I have a 2007 Silverado 1500 that I only put about 5,000 miles a year on. I really don't feel as though I need a newer truck like this when I drive it so little. I am considering selling my Silverado (which is paid off) to restore a classic.

Let's say I get a 1979 F-250 4x4 Crew Cab Short Bed - all stock. Put a motor in it that has 300 horsepower.

Will this truck haul and tow what my 1500 can?

I know the ride will not be as smooth, but can you make the ride "nice" on these older trucks, maybe somewhat near my 1500?

These things are very important, since I have become used to the luxury of my 1500. I don't know if I can go back to something that bounces all over the road and I definitely can't have a truck that won't haul/tow what I can now. What are some of the factors that come into play with this, the hauling/towing/ride?

I don't know if these trucks have power locks and windows but that's not all that important to me.

Thanks!

 

Making the ride nicer is easy. Throw weight in the bed and put on quality shocks. At least that helped my supercab.


These rigs don't have power windows or locks...

Towing should equal your 1500

 

A f150 rides smoother than a f250

 

True it will ride smoother but he said he's considering an f250. Either way I know a lot of folks say that these trucks (f100-350) ride like wagons. For the most part, that's just how they are.

Coming from a chebby 1500, its a toss up. I'd hazard a guess though that the ford will ride a little bit harsher but it should be close.

 

My dad used to have a '90 F-250 Supercab, and I think my Crew rides better than it did. I know my Crew would out pull his '90 and both had 460 engines. His was fuel injected, mine isn't of course. These old pick-ups will pull just fine. Just like a new one, it depends mainly on engine/tranny/rear gear ratio. My Crew will pull at least even, if not a bit better than my friends late-model GMC Duramax (which I hauled into town on a flatbed this past weekend due to engine problems.).

If you don't absolutely have to have a 3/4 ton 4x4, then an F-100 or -150 will definitely ride better. If you look for a Supercab, then you still have some extra room for kids in the back seat.

 

first we need to ask the more serious questions here. is your family going to go with with? what will the truck be hauling and pulling mostly? how far are the trips are you planning? hands down the new truck will be safer impact zones, air bags, anti-lock brakes and what have you. crew-cabs are in high demand for some reason. having rode in one to and from work not a lot of leg room in the back for a taller person. next what is the chevy? ext. cab? 4x4? what trim package and miles? what are your skills in a rebuild? not trying to rain on your day here but with a family lots needs to be talked about. will the ford pull what the chevy did? yes to a point. will it be as nice? depends on budget and time.

 

You ought to be able to find a decent truck like you want within a $5000 or less budget pending on how much you want to spend restoring it. What you're saying your wanting to do is pure silly in my opinion. Just find you a truck your willing or able to purchase and let the fun begin. You may need your other truck to haul parts for your new project.

 

Family is in the truck 1,000 miles a year at most. I don't pull very heavy. Most was about a ton in the bed while pulling 2 ton on a trailer. That was about 20 miles. Furthest I've driven any truck of mine is about 75 miles in a clip. 2007 (new Body) Silverado 1500 Z71 LT2 4x4 4 door ext cab with 50,000 miles. My skills are pretty minimal. Would have to pay shop to do most mechanical and body. I'd be willing to put the $15k I get for my Silverado into the F-250 if it could be real nice for that. Your not raining on my day, I'm just researching and considering.

 

I partially agree with this.

 

I agree with a lot of what's already been said but here is my 2cents: a 79 F250 4x4 should have similar towing and carrying capacities as a newer truck. Now having said that, it is like comparing apples to oranges. I own a 74 f350 w/460 as my hobby toy/show truck which ocassionally carries my restored 3K slide in camper. I also own an 05 GMC Denali for daily use,trips, and towing our 28' travel trailer. Each have a purpose but you can't compare the comfort, amenities, quietness, smoothness of a newer generation, technologically advanced vehicle with that of a 40 year old pick-up. These Fords have no aerodynamics, vibration isolated engineering, etc. You can make improvements to the Ford to enhance performance and comfort but I'm afraid that you will be sorely disappointed if you think you can come close to reaching the level of comfort, handling, and smooth performance as your '07 Silverado. Don't get me wrong as I'm not trying to talk you out of the Ford as I LOVE my Ford and its my favorite vehicle out of 7 vehicles that we own and I won't ever part with it. Like I said earlier, 2 very different vehicles with very different characteristics. I would just hate to see you spend a ton of money trying to make the Ford something that its not and then be frustrated. My 2cents. Good luck!

 

You have paid off a 2007 in what, 5-8 years? Who says you wont do it again?
If you have been wanting to do it, why not? Why be safe?
When your kids grow up, will they have fond memories of cruising in the '07? Doubt it. You may change your mind along the way but so what, you can always go out and start making payments on a newer car.
You have been wanting this for "half your life", dont let it get to the point that you can say "your whole life".

Back 20+ years ago, my dad had a '79, i think, and my brother had a '76. I have wanted one since those days. I did the marriage and kid thing. I lost my business in '08, and i am struggling like everyone else. But i find a bit of resolve in this forum, and wrenching on my truck. Is life a boquet of roses right now? Hell nah! But out of all this manure im sitting in, that pos in my avi is keepin things turning upstairs and in my chest.

I think my truck just got named.

 

As a point of reference, I run a pretty much stock '78 F250 with 400 (4 wd). I've towed 6500'ish lb without problem. Ride is good (for a PU) after replacing damaged rear springs and shocks. I wouldn't hesitate to tow 8000#. With engine upgrade I'd be happy to tow 10K lb.

New OE spec rear springs and good parts store gas shocks did wonders for the ride quality.

 

I don't have a ton to add but the crew cab is a good idea. Mine was built before marriage and kids now I'm wishing it was a crew cab.

Also my 77 is a smoother ride than my 01. But neither is an ifs Chevy.

 

Here's a '75 F250 4x4 that tows, hauls, and rides great. I can't say there's much stock about it but a guy could build one like it for the $15k you're talking about.

<a href="http://s742.photobucket.com/user/Fordworth/media/Returning%20from%20UT/IMG_20131212_143346_111_zpsa52b69ff.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx65/Fordworth/Returning%20from%20UT/IMG_20131212_143346_111_zpsa52b69ff.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20131212_143346_111_zpsa52b69ff.jpg"/></a>

There's a full ton under of gear under the shell and the trailer weighs 8,000 lbs (without the snow on the roof). As far as the ride goes, the front springs are custom jobs from a local company and the rears are aftermarket lift springs for a 2011 F350 which are 64" long (12" longer than stock) which improves ride quality tremendosly. This truck actually rides better than the wife's '02 F250 crewcab. I drive this truck every day and have run some long road trips in it just this past year. DFW to SoCal and back as well as Salt Lake to SoCal with the trailer and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it cross country any time. It may not have any fancy amenities but I don't consider it uncomfortable by any means and it cruises straight as an arrow down the highway. Of course comfort is subjective so you need to decide what is important to you, I like motoring in style.

 

I've towed a 4,500lb tractor on a 2,500lb tilt deck car trailer with a '77 F250 and it would accelerate up 12% grades no problem. There is no doubt about it that the truck was able to do it.

Now, I daily'd that truck for two weeks. The cost with the 429 engine was $25 a day, and I was making a point of not driving it because of how expensive it was. (Thanks, BC fuel prices!) I now daily drive a '69 F100 which gets another 5mpg.

Old trucks suck. They're rough, they're loud, they're rickety, they need attention, they're expensive to operate, they have crappy radios, most of them don't have a back seat... I could list reasons forever. Do you really want to give up the comforts, convenience, capabilities, and smoothness of your late model Chevrolet? I think you're being silly. My advice is to keep on driving your Chevy and when you have extra cash, buy an old F250 as a spare.

Oh, I almost forgot. These old Fords? Get used to 16-point turns.