Picked up this truck on craigslist for $800. The seller didn't really know a lot about it. He said hes had it 10 years and never messed with it.
I think the lift is a little sketchy. Its all blocks but does have ladder bars. Pitman arm and shocks are extended. Tires are 44 x 18.5 x 16.5 Ground Hawgs with excellent tread. Two of them were popped off the beads but looks good too. I'm guessing this truck was probably built in the mid 80s or so. Its a 360, 4-speed with NP205.
There was antifreeze in the oil so I think I'm going to swap in a 460 I have lying around. The 460 is from a Lincoln and has a Saginaw PS pump so that's nice.
I'm going super cheap on this thing since I don't know much about it and its just an off-road toy. I'm curious to see what every one thinks about this lift! I was pretty turned off by it at first, and still might be a little bit. lol.
So far I'm planning on the 460 I have, Transdapt mounts, use the existing 360 clutch and flywheel if they are usable. Leave the car oil pan on it since it has plenty of lift. I will need exhaust. I'm considering headers out the hood, found them new for around $200. There were some 460 fenderwell headers on craigslist for $200 but I missed them. Any other suggestions on cheap exhaust?
And what about the engine towers? Can I use the existing ones in anyway or swap in some from a 1979 F-150 4x4 351? My dad has those towers and a bell housing.
What do you guys think?

 

How about absolutely NO on that lift.....thats bad I would be afraid of that thing. Thats some backwoods engineering right there.

 

So you think 11 inch blocks in the front are a bad idea? lol. I saw that and almost left it there. But I figured I was already there with truck and trailer and just getting those tires and even if I scrapped the rest it would be worth it. I'm gonna try to get it driving and if its worth it, figure out something else, just not sure what yet. Never seen anything like it. Theres an old registration in it. Can you imagine that on the street. Wow.

 

For $800 you did ok, if the tires are not dry rotted? And yes that ALL block lift is way WAY sketchy. Way way sketchy for the front axle, I am sure the steering is cobbled up the same way?

Definite off road only rig. Heck yea zoomie style headers out the hood, grab some ear muffs to drive it and have fun.

Motor towers might just need flipped to work?

 

I think its a shame what has been to it, should be a crime.

 

Tires are surprisingly decent, maybe very, very minor dry rot. One of em sat flat a bit but I think it will be fine. I'm liking those headers.
And Bud Mud I'm not going to disagree with you there! lol.
I go off-roading 2-3 times per year at minimum. My current rig is a 79 Bronco with 35 x 15.5 TSL swampers and a built 400. It does very well for what it is. I'm not getting rid of the Bronco either.

 

I would have left it there

 

Haha. I appreciate the honesty! And like I said, if I scrap the truck and use the tires on something else its still worth it to me. My cousin wants it for $900 so I'll be ok either way.

 

Those blocks look like something left over from when they built the world trade center. Maybe some foundation blocking.

 

Good deal on the tires, transfer case and maybe the frame.

 

You decide to scrap you let me know. I went to my local JY and where there used to be trucks is now a long line of mini freakin vans.

I'm looking for a few cheap ones just to park out back for "just in case".

 

At the least, you've got a good parts truck. At best, you've got a new toy to keep you broke and busy. At the worst, you gave your wife something to complain about. Put on Rich's zoomies and make her be-itch

 

Heres an idea, how about restore it instead of destroying. Its a shame to see guy's making these in to junker mud toy's or parting them out. Ive rebuilt ones that looked worse than that one does. Want a mud junker,buy a chevy,those are every where,these trucks are not.

 

That is what I am trying to do to ol red....

Mud truck to restored truck with alot of help from my FTE Missouri chapter friends. Well mostly earthquake68 the rest are "motivation".

I am getting there...

Take the 44's off for now, take out the stupid unsafe block lift, build it/lift it right to handle the 44's and then wheel it.

 

I would love to see some pics of that suspension up close blown 331.. nice save btw, those axles are worth gold around this part of Alabama and the tires are a hell of a bonus to the deal! You DEFINITELY got a deal on that for 800 bucks