New (to me) truck. Where to get parts?

F150Terry · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 01:37 PM

I just became the proud owner of a (not so shiny) 1985 F150. I plan to use it as a commuter vehicle when the weather isn't good enough to ride my motorcycle to work. So I want to fix a few things and get it running reliably, but I'm not looking to "restore".
What is a good source of parts for the old guy (the truck, not me)? Poking around the web, I see kind of a "hole" in parts availability. Older vehicles have sites dedicated to them, but this one seems too "new" for those sites, but (I'm guessing) to old for the dealership. (besides, I don't like buying parts at the dealer if I can avoid it).
I will need to fix the tranny someday soon (trouble shifting into second from third and a leaky output shaft seal that probably needs a new shaft). The speedo cable makes noises. Window crank handles broken. Headlight switch knob broken. Stuff like that... Plus it has some cancer that I might want to fix some day, so the usually rust repair panels. Oh yeah, and most of the exhaust system fell out in the Lowes parking lot.

What are the good online places to order parts???

Thanks for the help....

Terry

srercrcr · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 03:23 PM

Junk yards, ebay, LMCtruck.com, and sponsors of this site.

Piffery1 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 03:40 PM

Google Raybuck for patch panels.

F150Terry · #4 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srercrcr

Junk yards, ebay, LMCtruck.com, and sponsors of this site.

Thanks,
The LMC Truck looks great. I'll give them a try....

Terry

F150Terry · #5 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piffery1

Google Raybuck for patch panels.

Raybuck looks like it ought to be able to help me with the body repairs and also the weather strip I need. The wind whistles through the cab pretty bad....

Thanks.

Piffery1 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 07:20 PM

If your door hinge pins and bushings are worn badly its almost impossible to make the door weatherstrip seal properly.

F150Terry · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piffery1

If your door hinge pins and bushings are worn badly its almost impossible to make the door weatherstrip seal properly.

I'll check that. Most of my weather strip is just dry rotted away. I have to turn the radio way up to hear it over the wind whistling through the cab.

Terry

63redtudor · #8 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 09:52 PM

I live pretty much strait north of you in Strasburg. There's a decent junkyard nearby in Byers that usually has a number of older ford trucks. They'll let you wander around quite a bit. I've spent quite a bit there.
Edwin

howler · #9 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 04:07 AM

have you looked at the state of your cab floor? and cab mounts? also check the core support mounting bolts... I've walked away from a bunch of trucks that looked good on the surface, but had structural issues....

F150Terry · #10 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 12:20 PM

I haven't looked under the floor mats. It doesn't seem to be rusted real bad, although here is some cancer in the "standard" places. Corners of the cab, top of the wheel openings... It will probably be next summer now before I can get around to fixing any of the rust. Right now the more "immediate" needs are the exhaust system and the transmision. The engine was replaced about 30,000 miles ago.

I don't get around to junk yards much. I live pretty far out in the country, and it seems like there isn't ever any spare time for a trip to the junk yard. I'd much rather order parts on the web and have them delivered to the house if I can get them, although I'm sure a trip or two to the salvage yard is in my future....

Thanks for all the suggestions,
Terry