New truck guy, need some help.
#1
New truck guy, need some help.
I'm saving up for a pre-1980 ford pickup to restore to a nice weekend driver condition.
Where do I start?
What are the simplest and easiest trucks to work on? I know the 80's and 90's fords are a pain in the rear end, with all of the emissions garbage and computers and whatnot. So I'm looking towards an older model.
What are the toughest motors they put in these trucks? which are the easiest to work on? Did they put 4.9's in these trucks? What should I look for when during test drives and inspections?
Basically what would you recommend to a newbie?
Thanks.
Where do I start?
What are the simplest and easiest trucks to work on? I know the 80's and 90's fords are a pain in the rear end, with all of the emissions garbage and computers and whatnot. So I'm looking towards an older model.
What are the toughest motors they put in these trucks? which are the easiest to work on? Did they put 4.9's in these trucks? What should I look for when during test drives and inspections?
Basically what would you recommend to a newbie?
Thanks.
#2
I'm saving up for a pre-1980 ford pickup to restore to a nice weekend driver condition.
Where do I start?
What are the simplest and easiest trucks to work on? I know the 80's and 90's fords are a pain in the rear end, with all of the emissions garbage and computers and whatnot. So I'm looking towards an older model.
What are the toughest motors they put in these trucks? which are the easiest to work on? Did they put 4.9's in these trucks? What should I look for when during test drives and inspections?
Basically what would you recommend to a newbie?
Thanks.
Where do I start?
What are the simplest and easiest trucks to work on? I know the 80's and 90's fords are a pain in the rear end, with all of the emissions garbage and computers and whatnot. So I'm looking towards an older model.
What are the toughest motors they put in these trucks? which are the easiest to work on? Did they put 4.9's in these trucks? What should I look for when during test drives and inspections?
Basically what would you recommend to a newbie?
Thanks.
No liter sizes please
The 302 V8 and the 300 six are probably the easiest engines to deal with. The C6 or C4 autos are the same. These trucks are truly easy to work on and lots of mods available if that is your thing. Look for body rust/frame rust and try to find a truck that is as free of rust as you can. Many are still available, you just have to look! I am a small block fan (302) but I have owned 360's and 390's and they are excellent engines, just inefficient. JMHO
Also as you mentioned, 79 and earlier are the toughest hard body trucks made!
Good luck!
#3
#4
#5
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
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Welcome aboard, these are as basic and simple a truck as could be built (1970's). Minimal electronics and the only computer you need is the one that gets you on this web site. 2X4 or 4X4 these trucks are easy to work on with only minimal headache areas. The 73-thru 79 is were all the interest is, the 1980's were just junk and the late 60's are harder to find parts for. Once you have decided what truck you want to play with this website will have and ansewer for any question you can come up with, Ive built 3 79's from the frame up and I'm still learning some things because of this site.
All you have to do is go find your truck, have fun.
All you have to do is go find your truck, have fun.
#6
I don't think that the F350's came with 300's. but if you want a weekend driver I wouldn't get an F350 anyway. also, when you are test driving trucks make sure that the truck at least runs decent, doesn't pull to one side or another, and the steering and brakes are working correctly; you don't want to have something go wrong on the way home.
#7
Im think about the same way as you but i wanted a F-100 for my first truck and daily driver. I didnt want any computers or electronics. I coulda had a 99 F-150 of my dads thats never been ragged except for me and my bro a couple times. But i didnt.
I would go with the 2WD V-8. small blocks are powerful but still reasonably small. Dont know any thing about liter sizes really but future ref a 351 is a 5.8.
I would go with the 2WD V-8. small blocks are powerful but still reasonably small. Dont know any thing about liter sizes really but future ref a 351 is a 5.8.
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#9
Ended up finding mine on craigslist. For about a $1,000 you can find a nice truck to mess with. My F250 in my sig is just a weekend toy for me as I have a new silverado. I had a truck with the 300 in it, not fast, but tough as nails...dependable and good on gas. If i'm not mistaken, you could get a 300 in a F350, but they are rare. Most 300 equipped trucks I have seen are usually 3 speed on the column. Feel free to ask any questions you have...we'll be gald to help!
#10
Actually the 300-6 was available all the way up to the industrial F650's back then. In the heavier models they came with a steel crank, heavier-duty rods, performance cam, and a holley 1bbl. I am a huge fan of the 300, it is tough as nails, gets decent fuel economy when running correctly (not hard to do at all), and when fed 4bbl's of carb, breaths smoke through some header windpie, and gets poked and proded by a juicy 260H cam, these things can create GREAT performance. Just my 2 c.
#11
Actually the 300-6 was available all the way up to the industrial F650's back then. In the heavier models they came with a steel crank, heavier-duty rods, performance cam, and a holley 1bbl. I am a huge fan of the 300, it is tough as nails, gets decent fuel economy when running correctly (not hard to do at all), and when fed 4bbl's of carb, breaths smoke through some header windpie, and gets poked and proded by a juicy 260H cam, these things can create GREAT performance. Just my 2 c.
#14
Not sure where you are, but,,,,, here is one I am watching
eBay Motors: Ford : F-250 (item 220229532694 end time May-03-08 17:03:23 PDT)
eBay Motors: Ford : F-250 (item 220229532694 end time May-03-08 17:03:23 PDT)