Hi all. I'm new to this site and this is my first post but hopefully it wont be my last.

My fiance and I drove by this truck the other day and we're seriously considering purchasing it. However, I have absolutely no idea how much it might be worth and I'd like to have an idea before I go and talk to the owner.

The truck sits by the roadside with a huge sign in the window that reads "OFFERS". I'm pretty sure that this could be a steal with the right knowledge. I don't have much info on the truck but the sign says that it's a '71 F-250 with 72K (I believe original) miles. The paint is great and so is the interior but I'm not sure what it looks like underneath. The truck has an auto tranny and I'm not sure if it's a 4x4 or not.

I understand that this a small amount of information but I'm just looking for a ballpark figure of that this truck might be worth. I've posted a picture of the truck and of the "For Sale" sign. If I could get the VIN #, is there somewhere I could get info on this truck?

Thanks in advance for any info and advice you can give to this newb. It will be much appreciated.

 

Hi, welcome to the forum!

That truck is very clean and nice-looking. What it's worth depends a lot on what the market will bear in your area. I'd take a look on your local craigslist and see what the asking prices are on comparable trucks, both F100s and F250s, and go from there.

But you'll want to take a good close look at the truck, check for rust (especially under the floor mats, and look inside the front wheel openings at the front cab mounts and look closely at the cab at the top of the windshield. Also, look up inside the passenger side front wheelwell ahead of the wheel and look at the underside of the battery tray, these will rust out from spilled battery acid even if the rest of the body is rust-free. This is pretty normal, but I've seen some really nasty ones. And look for bubble under the paint at the bottom of the doors and cab corners.

Does this truck appear to you to have been repainted? If so, they cold have covered up any number of problems with some bondo and paint. Sort of looks like peeling clearcoat there on the driver's door just below the sign, these trucks were not painted with a two-stage paint originally.

Doesn't look like 4WD to me, it sits the normal height for a 2WD and there are no locking hubs on the front.

Have you talked to the owner yet? Even though he's asking for offers, he must have some idea of what he wants out of it. He might be desperate for money and will take a very low offer however, so it's worth a shot. Offer him a grand and see what he says, though I suspect it will be a bit less that what he's after.

 

that truck looks immaculate. the paint looks like just a 1 stage that was done recently, but everythings straight, has a brand new windshield, straight grill, gorgeous wheels, sliding rear window which is absolute heaven if u dont have ac. i had a 71 f250 as well a few years ago, and it had the toolbox on the other side of the bed, so i'm willing to bet that one does too. crawl underneath and check everything out real good and if the rest of the truck is that clean then i would be willing to pay 3 grand for something like that. but the color is not my cup of tea, but still gorgeous. having a truck like that is like having a vehicle that you will always have, and it will never let you down and run forever. you'll go through newer vehicles as daily drivers, dispose of them, and watch others around you do the same, while that old bumpside keeps on going.

 

I'd offer $1000 and go from there.....does not appear to be a 4x4....360 is less preferable to the 390, etc....

I highly doubt the mileage is original....

 

After loosing many eBay bids, I wouldn't bid an even $1000. Chances are they are already looking for a higher # than that.
Where I am at, that would be a typical $4500 truck.

 

Welcome to FTE

Do NOT believe what the mileage is .... as listed on the odometer!

The odometers on trucks of this vintage read to 99,999.9 then return to ZERO.

Used car dealers were in-famous for rolling back odometers.

So...it could have 76,000, 176,000, 276,000 miles...or?

Unless the truck has had one owner since new and has paperwork listing the miles of every oil change, other service work, there is no way...none...to know if the mileage shown is correct ...or not!

And even with that info...there's still no guarantee, as all one has to do is disconnect the speedo cable, or remove the speedo driven gear...then drive it for a gazillion miles.

This truck has no side mouldings of any kind, no stainless steel w/shield mouldings, which means it's a Standard Cab Custom, the cheapest model available.

The chromy wheels are aftermarket. Since it has an A/T, it cannot be a 4WD, as 1973 was the first year a 4WD came with factory installed (optional) A/T.

The ride height (stance) is also wrong. All 1967/76 and 1977 F250 4WD's (1977: before serial number Y20,001) are called High Boys by enthusiasts, have front leaf springs, thru 1975 with front drum brakes only.

2WD's have front coil springs, different types of steering and brakes.

I agree with others...the truck looks nice, but looks can be deceiving. I assume since you live in PA, this truck is there also. AFAIK, PA uses salt on the roads, so...

You want to examine it closely for rust...especially in the cab corners, radiator support, floor pan, engine mounts, drip rails...and don't forget, ppl have used bondo and undercoating for years...to hide the sins.

And...regardless of the condition, it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

If y'all think I'm being negative...you're wrong. Since 1956, I've owned over 330 vehicles, so I know what to look for, and I don't want a to buy a pig-in-a-poke.

 

I concur wid Bill, take a sleazy cat like myself, put a new rebuilt engine & tranny and set the OD back to -0- so I could remember how many miles are on the rebuild. I can look at my gauge and declare I have 39 thou. & change on the rebuild. Do not have a clue what is on the chassis........... and don't care because it all has been rebuilt too.



John

 

No Truer words were ever spoken!
------------
It's a nice truck, But, Be careful, and let him HIM do the talkin', You'll learn somethin'.
(Meanin', He may tell ya information about the truck, in other words, let him tell you more than you tell him)
Also, Welcome To FTE!

Let us Know about what happens.
And Yes, The VIN Tell's The Followin' Information.
Year, Model, Two Wheel Drive or Four Wheel Drive,
Engine, Assembly Plant The Truck was Assembled at, And Build Month & Year.
The VIN for THAT truck will begin with F25 which decodes as F-250 Two Wheel Drive. If it was a Four Wheel Drive (Which I doubt it is) Then the VIN would start with F26. You can find the VIN on the Warranty Tag Thingy located on The Driver Side Door (Left Side) as well as other information which can be further decoded...I'll just go crawl back into my little corner now.

 

The VIN is found on the registration, as that's what the vehicle is registered by.

It's also stamped on the Warranty PLATE, which is located on the left door face below the latch.

 

AUTO BUGGER THAT; PAINT LOOKS LIKE QUICK RESPRAY, TYRE AREN'T MY CUP OF TEA AN ETC...... 500 TOPS

 

Thanks for all of your thoughtful responses. I haven't had a chance to reply sooner because I was moving and I didn't have internet set up yet. I'm gonna call the owner and speak with him to find out more about the truck. All of the info that you guys have provided will help me a lot. I'll post again when I know more.

Thank you all again so much