Hello everyone!
So I am an 18 year old, soon to be college student. I currently drive a 2001 Jeep wrangler, with 33in tires, lift, bumper i welded, etc. So I am fairly technical savvy and know how to work on vehicles, as I work on my friends' and family's car as well. But my Jeep is giving me issues and will not make the trip to and from college when I want to come home on the weekends, about a 70 mile drive. So I've been looking around for a new car. First of all, I've always LOVED old trucks, especially old fords. So when looking on craigslist, I found a 1979 Ford F-150, SWB, with a 351 Modified engine. It has the C6 automatic 4x4 tranny, 31 or 33" wild country MTX tires. Not sure about the axles... This thing has a BEAUTIFUL straight body, no dents, no scratches, new paint, everything. The guy fixed all the rust spots and painted the frame to prevent further rust. The interior has new seat covers, new dash pad, either very new or very well kept gauges, door panels, and literally everything. This thing seems to be PERFECT, but I'm worried that it seems too good... I need a vehicle that is reliable. I know how to work on cars and LOVE to, and I would be willing to work on this one. I just don't want to have to work on it nearly daily just to get it home, or not even make it there... I know this is a hard question as there are a lot of factors but my essential question is, does this seem to be too good?? Is there anything I need to look out for when purchasing this? Any problems I should expect to have? I really want this truck but don't want to make a rash decision and end up with another money pit that wont get me from A to B. Im hoping to go get it soon so the sooner the response the better! Thanks so much!

link to the craigslist posting. I hope this isn't against policy!
1979 Ford F150 Custom SWB

 

Can you live with 8-12 MPG?

 

I have a Jeep.. Haha, yes I can! I don't mind poor gas mileage because I probably will have it no matter what as I the vehicles I like all have bad gas mileage. Also, just noticed I posted this in the wrong section... Not too sure how to put it in the right section!!

 

... ditto the above ...
also, as a soon-to-be college student do you really want to lay out 7 grand for a sexy body and a purring motor (possibly with 36-year-old wiring) or would a stout , dependable $3000 civic or escort be the wiser choice ?

 

I'd recommend buying a 30 MPG roller skate and drive your Jeep on the weekends. But that isn't what an 18 year old really wants to hear. If you buy an econobox you'll have more money for girls.

 

haha, and I knew this is where the issue would come in... I would sell the Jeep, get about $8,000-$9,000 for it, and then pay probably $6,500 for the truck, as I'm hoping to bargain with the guy since he's trying to get rid of it. I understand I could spend $3,000 on a little civic or something, but I need a truck. I need to tow, I need to be able to go into the occasional ditch, etc. I have been looking at some Toyota Tacomas. I know they're very good trucks but I tow a lot and need to be able to tow a good bit of weight. Also., finding one with under 200k miles will cost me about $10,000 where I am. I've been doing my research on Tacomas for about 2 years now and know a substantial bit about them. I hate to be that "know it all kid" as I know i don't know it all, but I do feel this is a good decision, as long as there are not any inherent problems with it and it isn't too good to be true...

 

351M is a low power motor if you're going to tow much.

 

its better than the Jeep and Tacoma though! I won't be towing anymore than 6,000 lbs but the Tacoma and Jeep's max towing capacity is 4,000 lbs. won't necessarily be towing it far either

 

137 hp 237 torque for the 351M.

What year Toyota are you talking? A 4.0 is 236/266, An older one would be a lot less of course....

FWIW as someone distracted by a lot of non-college stuff when I went to school, I recommend getting your school and classes sorted out before you take on some money pit project.

My daughter has been buried in work for her first two years. Ymmv, but you may find writing papers and doing research gets in the way of motor sports.

 

Go with the 460 gasser or a 7.3 diesel. Go big or go home, right? I have a 460 myself

 

a 94' toyota would probably be my best bet as they're the ones I can even come close to affording! They hold their value very well so trying to buy one even as old as a 2000 proves difficult for me... But I agree with the fact of not getting distracted by my vehicle! But i am very good with managing my time between school and hobbies (which turn into a necessity).

During high school I was in a program called IB where I took all college level courses. It's as hard as being a sophomore in college, not even an exaggeration. My jeep was, and still is, a daily endeavor to keep it running. I feel that a freshly built engine will not give as many problems as one with nearly 200,000 miles on it does.

But I'm not the expert on these trucks, thats why I'm reassuring with y'all and hoping I'm not wrong! Haha

 

In that case, I'm going with a train

If I could afford a 7.3 diesel I would have one in an instant!

 

I would say a 460 then. Yes its thirsty but has a lot of torque. Now if your looking for a engine that has alot of performance upgrades for it, get a 5.0 302. Wanna save gas? 4.9 300. Wanna be a average joe? 5.8 351 windsor

 

I will probably just stick with the 351 it comes with and i'll be content! hopefully one day down the road when I have time, i'll drop a 460 in it or do something like an F-650 6 door build! I am going to school for engineering so school should be helpful for my hobbies, after I'm done with school that is..

 

Now, whats the difference in the 351 Modified compared to the 351 windsor??