thanks jmadsen, and falcon I would love to go to the super nat's, the only problem is that I dont come home from school until may 7th then I have to sell my car before the nat's (may 13-15?) which will be the hard part.

 

Alright step one is complete, I sold the trans am! About as bittersweet as it gets but I have to be positive and find myself a truck..There are a couple im looking at on craigslist but I was also thinking maybe I should hold off until the Carlisle Truck Nationals. Whats everyones opinion, do you think there will be plenty of "project trucks" for sale there?

 

bump to the top

 

Never been to carlisle so I can't say? Maybe, then at least you can see and feel what's there.

If I could do it over I would start out spending at least a few grand on a decent start, maybe even running driving truck to tinker with and not the $500 truck that I've had to gather 4 additional trucks to have enough parts to put together. Of course I didn't have the money to do that so, and what's the fun in that! Right
Keep looking and be patient, the right truck will show himself soon enough.

 

Try craigslist, I found mine that way, post a want ad. I looked for almost a year though, I was very particular in wanting a '56, it's a unique year.

It might be cheaper in the long run to buy one thats a bit aways from you. A couple hundred or even a thousand or two just to have it make its way home can end up saving you thousands upon thousands in the long run. There are good deals to be had, but sometimes it takes some work making them happen. It cost me as much as I paid for the truck to get mine home and it was still a steal.

Another thing to consider; larger trucks tend to be cheaper and more common because they're not nearly as popular to restore, however they have a lot of the same parts as a smaller half ton, like the cab and the hood (the fenders and running boards tend to be a little bigger). Depending on what you want to do there are a lot of options that could save you a lot of money. It's worth the effort to search.


Also, walk alley ways if you have them. Older areas of town tend to have older vehicles in the back yard or in fields. I live in a town of 17,000 and I know of a dozen old ford trucks (including a rare '56 T-800, not F, T. And a '56 F700 with a '55 cab) and about 100 old chevy/dodge/international/ect trucks. All just from walking alley ways. Take a camera with you, might not be what you're looking for but it could be someone else's dream. Some of the owners care so little about them you can get the truck for free just so they have it off their property. Course this is Wyoming, it's truck country to begin with and things don't really rust out up here, too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer, lol.

And enjoy the search. It's great fun never knowing what you'll find on the next road.

 

found this:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...hlight=f1+ford

 

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should (mix up the parts).

 

Thanks for the advice everyone. Stephen, that sounds like a great idea except I thinkkkkk it would be a little different here in Rochester haha what ide find in alleyways wouldnt be a truck, or even something ide want to go near.

 

there are a few trucks around here (Utah & Western Wyoming area)
here is a 56 F100 and it's already in your favorite color too just kidding

ksl.com - Car Classifieds for Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming

plus a 56 F600 for $600
and a 56 F250 for $1500

 

hahaha how did you know I like pink! lmao..ok so I found a 1955 f100 an hour away and the guy says its a 3/4 ton that came stock with a flatbed. My first question is would I just be able to take the flatbed off and put a regular bed on it? and also, What is the difference between the 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton, just the axles? Any help is appreciated thanks in advance.

 

You can swap a flat bed for a regular.

The 3/4 ton has a taller, wider and longer bed. The wheel base is 8" longer. It uses different running boards. I'm not sure if the the front wheel wells are different, might be a little bit bigger, but someone else will know for sure.


Several people have turned a long bed into a short bed, you basically need to chop out a section of frame or slide the rear axle up.

Personally I really like the look of the long bed, being taller and wider just looks better to me.


Before you buy it might be a good idea to post some pictures and ask some opinions. Someone might be able to notice something that could make it a real headache. I still do this whenever I'm not 100% on something, it can be a real life savor to ask for a second opinion, I have no problem looking like a I'm noob lol

 

I rly appreciate the answers, im definitly wanting a shortbed but I dont want to go through the hassle of chopping the frame so I think I might pass on this truck..have to put my patient pants on hahaah

 

Yeah, definitely get what you really want, other wise you will regret it. And on something that takes so much time, effort and money you don't want to be having any regrets. Always sucks when you build your project but see someone who has what you really wanted to do and go, "I wish I would have waited and got what I really wanted"


I looked for almost a year and it took half a year to get it home (long story), but I've never been so glad I waited.

And when you see it, you'll know it. Some part deep inside just goes "YES! That's awesome and mine!" before you ever buy it. lol course I say that with a '63 Corvette a couple blocks away I wish would be sold to me at a price I could afford and the same feeling, lol

 

Finding the right truck is like finding the girl of your dreams, No one can really point you in the right direction. One day you will just be out and run across the right one and know that you just gotta have it. Couple of months ago the wife and I took a trip to Nebraska and I was amazed at all the old trucks and cars sitting everywhere out there. Here in the south you can drive for miles and look for months and only find 1 or 2 that are in decent shape and for sale. Came across this one town with a population of about 300 and right on the highway a guy had lined up 50 to 75 cars and trucks all years and makes and was going to have an auction on July 11th. I bet they go for scrap prices. I was talking to some of the locals and they said most people out there don't buy them to fix up. They just want an old truck to use on the farm. If it wasn't practical and useful they had no use for it. Good luck on your search.

 

thats wild! I couldnt imagine driving by and seeing that many vehicles.