My husband just traded a snowmobile for this. It runs pretty well, 4x4 works, only 75,000mi and it has the 300 I6. Kinda rusty, cab is a little rough, but the frame is good. He wants to sell it because we could use the cash atm. I'm trying to convince him to keep it. I've always loved the look of older Fords but tbh know nothing about them. Hoping to learn though! I have a few newbie questions--

It hasn't been on the road in a decade so I'm sure it'll need a few things to pass inspection... are parts hard to find/expensive? What MPG might we expect? (I know it will vary a lot but in general... Closer to 10? 20?) Also, we've had half a dozen people stop to look at it since we got it and a few $1,000 offers. Like I said, I know nothing, but I would think the engine alone would be worth $500+? I've tried looking online but can't find any for sale, so am I way off or are people trying to rip us off? If that's all this beauty is worth we are definitely keeping, the memories will be worth way more

Also is there a list somewhere of what the standard/upgrade options were with each package?

Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome to FTE.

Parts are relatively easy to buy. Your local parts store should be able to keep it on the road. Most body parts are available in reproduction but unless you live in the rust belt (northeast, MN, MI, WI) local salvage yards would be your source.

MPG? 13 to 16 in stock form.

Visit the Tech Info Compilation linked in my sig and go to the vendors section in the last post. National Parts Depot, Jeff's Bronco Graveyard, Mac's, Dennis Carpenter, and LMC Truck are the primary sources for new, model-specific parts.

 

OP lives in NY, Mac's Antique Auto Parts located in Lockport NY

 

Then here's Mac's website: Ford Pickup Truck Parts 1948-1979 - Macs Auto Parts

 

Thanks! Yep definitely rust belt here, I already asked DH about scrap yards and he said we wouldn't find anything around here. We are so lucky it's a southern truck, the box is actually intact unlike our poor 2000 7.3 F250 that had come from VT. Good thing we have a garage

 

First off let me just say nice score on the truck and welcome to FTE. Second follow the guidelines layed out by HIO. They really are essential and helpful. Especially when obstacles come about that will begin to discourage you/your hubby. Other sources to check out for parts would be swap meets. Also known as Parts-a-Rama's. Although if you've never been to any, they can be rather overwhelming. So plan on an entire day there. They can be a lot of fun as well. I don't know where about in NY. you are, but the Ford nationals at Carlisle are next weekend. They are at the Carlisle fairgrounds in Carlisle Pa. For more info. you can check out carlisleevents.com. Many online vendors can be found here. Such as flashback f100, Dennis Carpenter, LMC and others. Their truck nationals show is another good one to check out. And is a get together spot for the Mid-Atlantic chapter of FTE. I plan on being their, and hope to see you. Also be sure to check out your local NY chapter for local members that might be able to help out. Sorry for the long post.

 

I call swap meets "The Man Mall" I've been pining to make Carlisle since I was a wee lad. Alas, it has not come to fruition yet.

Btw, I suggest making a list to bring to the swap meets.. it'll keep ya focused on what you're hunting for and a reminder of what you're looking for... lest ya go off track and come home with goo-gaws like billiard *****, a Pontiac hood ornament, or a gas pump.

The vendors above have free catalogs so order them up to see what is available, not available, and the going prices. I try not to pay more than 50 percent retail for good used parts.

I can't tell by the pic but always keep your eyeballs peeled for decent grill shells.

.. and here's a trick to remove rust stains from your paint: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post13862977

 

Never knew such a thing existed, sounds awesome. We're about an hour east of Syracuse so 5hrs from Carlisle. Even if we could financially it'd be a bit of a hike with a 5 month old in tow. Maybe next year, if I can convince him to keep it

Thanks for the tips. I hoped there was a way to clean up that one panel where it bled, can't wait to try it! Yup good eye, there's a few pieces missing, we will have to keep an eye out

 

FWIW swap meets aren't the type of place for such youngsters. There isn't many places for shade nor are there many (if any) places for diaper changes. Although Carlisle does have a kids area as well as a womens oasis. (For those not interested in all the car/truck stuff. So just keep that in mind as well.

 

Ah, I didn't think it sounded quite baby friendly. I was thinking bring one of my sisters to take her somewhere else or maybe by then I'd be ok leaving her for a night... which reminds me, my biggest issue with the truck is I don't think I'd ever want to put her in a car seat in it (is that even possible?) so it'll be a long time before she could ride in it. Which means it'll be years before we put it on the road... but I still don't want to sell it

 

"Estrogen Alley" ... yeah, me and my crew have colorful euphemisms.

 

Do you need the money? I wouldn't sell it unless I REALLY needed the money. Get it running, ready to run down the road. Park it, jack it up (to get weight off the tires), tarp it and leave it. When the time comes you'll have a fun reliable little truck that'll go a lot of places in 4x4 and get good mileage in 4x2. The offers are just lowballers looking for what I described above. If you're anything like me if you sell it you'll never forget it and just bore your daughter with stories of her dads old truck he sold

 

Depending on your age, there may not have been a Carlisle swap meet when you were a "wee lad."

Originally the AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America) held the meet in Hershey, but people with brass era and pre-war cars complained most of the parts were post war.

So the meet was split, Hershey (pre war) held the first week, Carlisle (post war) held a week later.

You also may be too young to have attended Harrah's swap meet in Reno, held from the mid 1960's thru 1977.

Originally it was held in August, but people complained it was too hot, so Harrah moved it to June. Swap meet held Thursday-Friday-Saturday, car show was held on Sunday.

When Harrah died on Saturday night in 1977, the car show was cancelled....and there were no more Harrah meets after 1977.

 

I agree, it's not "collectible" just yet, but probably will be. Besides, it's just a cool old truck, simple, reliable, easy to work on and keep running.

Unless you're facing eviction broke, I'd keep it and find 1,000 elsewhere. It's honestly not worth much as it sits, but damn it's cool