Hey everybody, last week I purchased a well-worn 1987 F-150. It meets all of my requirements: MANUAL TRANSMISSION, 8' bed, and single cab. The V-8 and 4x4 are bonuses. Odometer reads 2,100 but we assume it's really 202,100.

It needs the following to be safe/functional:
- rear leaf spring hangers and shackles
- exhaust system patched or replaced
- parking brake cables
- rust repair... of course! some minor, some major; but the frame is good
- gas tank straps

Otherwise it's all stock and it's going to stay that way, except for deletion of the smog-crap and addition of a Class III receiver and hitch to pull my 5x8 trailer.

I have a car for a daily driver so this truck will be used for occasional homeowner work like hauling dirt, gravel, lawnmower, furniture, etc.; and also used for my "hobby" that I'm very passionate about: architectural salvage. I go into pre-1900 houses being torn down or renovated and carefully remove the woodwork, doors, flooring, windows, etc. - anything that can be re-used or re-purposed instead of going into a landfill.

I do all my own work on my vehicles, so I'll be consulting this forum a lot. I grew up with a 1978 full size Bronco 351M and then a 1991 F-150 XLT Lariat (heavy half conversion, lifted and bagged, 5.8 and 5-speed) so I am somewhat familiar with these - but it's the first truck I've owned myself.

Look forward to learning all there is to know about my 8th gen F-150.

 

Thanks for joining, it's great to have you here.


Tony

 

Damn, that thing is going to be a fun truck with it being manual! Sounds like a pretty decent barn find with only 2,100 miles on it

No holes in the frame?

 

Frame is in great condition for the year! It's got a little flaky rust on the outside edges from lack of undercoating but my father and I both looked it over pretty thoroughly (with flashlights and mirrors) and found no holes or cracks in the frame. The truck did get a Ziebart treatment early in life so I'm sure that helped.

The title states "Mileage exceeds mechanical limits" so I don't even know, nor do I really care.

The manual transmission was really important to find because I can't stand driving automatics, especially with a trailer on. According to the PO, the clutch was replaced approximately 3 years ago. This is going to have a major learning curve though because in my cars I have always just slammed through the gears with a flick of the wrist (short-throw shifters and bronze/nyloil bushings always); but there is nothing quick or short about changing gears in this beast.

I wonder if anybody makes a kit to reduce the shifter throw and timing. Or maybe the synchros can't handle that. I learned pretty quick what the "grannie gear" was and why it isn't used in normal driving!

 

Hmmm, not too sure about the short throw. If you need anything suspension related shoot me a message. I'd be more than happy to help a fellow forum member!

Good luck with the new truck!

 

Welcome to the forum.