here is the short and sweet:
1979 F-350 camper special 4X4 regular cab 4 speed manual with I believe some factory lift.... (did they make a highboy 1 ton as a camper special??) no cancer rust, even the chrome and rail door ding stuff with the rubber is still on it.
the bad, 1 cylinder is dead: the others are good compression and yes it does run. 460 motor.
the man wants $5000.00
sound good? too high? I am of the opinion that it is fair considering the body, heck even the locker underneath has the latch and no holes. CA truck so rust is minimal.


opinions plz, and thanks


Fert

 

No factory lifts, so if it is lifted it is aftermarket. "Highboy" dents were only 73-77 F250s.

 

Do NOT buy a truck you can't personally look at. I've looked at many trucks listed as "no rust" that looked great in pictures. Put my finger through the cab corner of one "rust free" truck.

IMO the body and interior would need to be perfect for that kind of money when you will have to rebuilt motor.

 

rebuilding a motor is time consuming and yes cost money. but IMO isn't hard, plus you can do little things to it when its out. the body I have looked over and will test drive it next week.
Fert

 

In the end you'll have to decide if it's worth it to you based on your skill set, preferences etc. If you consider the cost of engine repair and add it to the cost of the truck, do you think you could find something similar for less? Of course, you would also have the knowledge that it was done right if you do the work, which you may not have otherwise.

 

that is the most important outlook for me on an older vehicle.


Fert

 

If it has 1 dead cylinder it could be as simple as a valve spring. Hopefully. Maybe ask the guy how the truck got a 460 in it?

 

good idea, hopefully he might have an answer


Fert

 

Go see it. For all you know the dead cylinder is a fouled plug. Take the following:

Jump pack, spanner set, big f***ing adjustable wrench, screwdrivers, 10A wire, spare fuses, can of degreaser, electrical / duct tape, 4ft 5/16 fuel hose, zipties, fuel filter. Throw it all ('cept the jump pack) in a bucket for ease of carrying.

Once there check her out, assess what you think it is worth to you, and then be honest with the seller. If they don't work with you then its not worth buying - I've had people advertise things as 'rust free' and yes sirree there was rust a plenty in the firewall and plenum or other horrible places. Still offered them what would be good money given the rust, but they didn't play ball and got nothing...

...so, assuming they play ball, use the listed equipment to get her running and driving and take her home, or at least to the nearest autoparts so you can get the last bits to make her safe (engine oil, brake fluid, etc).

If you need to travel to get her, catch a bus/train and set up several such vehicle inspections in a day. You'll get at least one and then be able to drive it back home. Nothing beats a completely untested vehicle with a bucket of tools as an adventure!

- boingk

 

In no way, shape, or form would I pay 5,000 for a truck with a dead cylinder. It may be a valve spring, may be a plug, may be a bigger issue. Never know till it's in your driveway. But I personally would have that be the deal breaker for the price. Rust free or not, the motor is a transplant (how clean of a transplant may I ask?). I'd offer 3,000 and meet in the middle.

This is coming from someone in wisconsin...where rust free stuff is a premium.

 

I agree, sounds high. I think $3000 max if everything else is as you say.

 

Make double sure the front axle is still the original HP D60. All of the 79 F350 4x4's for sale I looked at over the last 15 yrs or so (at least 10 trucks) had a HD 44 swapped in where the 60 originally was. Except the last one, which followed me home.

 

Honestly I use to have lots of time in the past to work on vehicles. I enjoyed it. But I have decided to pass and just do a few things to my 2016 instead. Thanks for the insight on the Axel's and what not. I will say that I have spent the past week reading info in the tech file for the dent sides. I was really amazed at the information that y'all have on these older trucks.
Fert

 

whoa! something don't sound right....

1. no 460s in 4x4s in the dentside era
2. highboy are 73-77 F250s
3. lift not factory
4. dead cylinder could be head gasket, cracked head, cracked block - lots of very bad stuff
5. "locker underneath"? the bedside toolbox was an F250 thing
6. I THINK Camper Specials were all automatics, but not sure
7. Is the 460 swap a good and clean swap?
8. The 460 and a camper special should have supercooling radiator

Seems very suspicious and expensive to me...

 

My 2 cents come truck shopping time. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14696861