Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - 1978 F-150 4x4, auto, lifted, 33's, msd ignition/coil, needs minimal restoration work

Family needs require me to consolidate, selling car and looking to sell/trade my beloved F-150. I've posted a lot about it here (though I didn't go through with a lot of my crazy ideas), and so did a previous owner. Located in New Orleans.

Orange 1978 Ford F-150 4x4, 351m v8 bored .30 over; 3" lift, 33" tires, straight pipes, C6 automatic transmission, power brakes, power steering, MSD ignition & truck coil; Holley Truck Avenger carb sitting on Edelbrock intake, 1-wire alternator, less than 2000 miles on new radiator. Electric fan. Aftermarket steering wheel. Aftermarket CD player & Sony speakers/boxes. Diamond plate bed rails and box with key. Drop-in bedliner, clean underneath. No A/C. Re-covered cloth seats are fading a little from the sun, but very comfortable. Clear title and I can provide the notary.

Good: Engine sounds and pulls strong, good acceleration, transmission shifts are smooth, 4x4 works. New marine-grade battery 2 months/100 miles ago. Gets thumbs-up everywhere. People take pictures. Little kids wave. Girls ask if we can go for a ride. I'm not making any of that up. In the time I've had it I've driven less than 2000 miles and added new carb, new plugs & wires, new battery, new washable air filter, new fuel filter, new oil/filter, mostly new vacuum lines, new rotor cap & bug, new coil, new ignition, new flexplate, new starter, starter cable, pcv valve, vacuum advance, gas cap, probably some other stuff. Other than the carb and starter/flexplate, didn't need most of that, was just trying to upgrade as I went (and took a lot of throwing parts at it before I found out that the old carb was under recall).

Bad: I let it sit for six months and now the brakes are *really* weak. Like not safe to drive. Think the proportioning valve might be stuck, but don't know much about brakes. Mechanic says it needs new U-joints. Runs a little hotter than I'd like, electric fan takes care of it. Wiring is a mess and should be re-done: part of dash backlighting is out; horn button is ziptied to steering column and works only when ignition is on; somehow reverse light is wired to the fan circuit. Fan is wired to switch on battery, no thermostat involved (long story). Needs a better fan bracket (angle iron would do it). Something funny with the timing (or vac leak?) makes it hesitate a little off idle if you don't accelerate smoothly. Paint is fading on the hood and roof, and some minor rust bubbles/couple of dings & scratches. Lost the handle to the tailgate so just took it off and put on a cargo net (tailgate included, has some rust on one hinge but works fine if you don't mind opening your tailgate with vice grips. Steering has a lot of travel but works OK. Broke off a valve cover bolt and have used a C-clamp there ever since without problems. I've driven it to Pascagoula and back in a single day, haven't tried to go further. Drips a tiny bit of oil when warmed up, but not enough that I've needed to add any between changes.

Right now I can't find the keys and have been opening it with a coathanger, hotwiring it to start, and using a brake lock to keep it secure- but I will find them before sale. Have key to box.

I need something with better gas mileage. Not really sure what to ask, I have at least $2500 and hundreds of hours of work into it since purchase in 2009, and found a lot of information about all the work and money that went into it before that (which I can provide). Will trade for 1997+ Dodge Ram/Dakota extended cab, auto trans, reliable enough for daily commuting and able to haul a light trailer/camper.

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