Figured I'd take the time to introduce myself. My name is Robert, from upstate NY. I'm the owner of a '78 F250, 300 inline which has been in the family for three generations now. My grandad bought this truck new off the lot in Florida and gave it to my dad. Now I've got it and plan on starting the project this summer to bring it back to life. (A couple of winters in upstate and it started going down hill.)

Grandad bought just a basic truck and stepped into the F250 to escape the emissions laws which were coming. It's a 3 on the tree truck, no options other than A/C. Grandad had the dealership put in an 8-track before he took delivery. I learned to drive on this truck and was driving around town when I was 14. (39 now.) It holds a lot of meaning for our family being as it's really the only thing from Grandad we have left, besides a handful of tools and a lot of memories.

Not too long ago, my pop gave me his '74 Barracuda, which was his dream car, with the stipulation he be able to drive it at least once before he dies. But talking this over with the wife and then discussing it with Pop, not only would the truck be more handy to have around, it would mean a lot more to everyone. Pop's 69 now, so, hopefully, I have a lot of years to make both projects come true.

Plans are to build the truck my way, which Pop agreed Grandad would enjoy. Keeping the inline, but building it. Putting an NV4500 behind it. Doing some custom interior work. Seeing what I can do to upgrade to rear disk. The plans are to be able to use it not just for show purposes, but to put it to work hauling a tag along, car trailer, etc.

I'll be doing a lot of reading and researching on here before I really start asking questions and posting. I'll help out where I can. I'm an automotive technician by trade and spent two years in a Ford garage on the technician side. I spent 15 years doing general collision and body work before that. I run my own shop now doing both technician and body work.

 

Welcome to FTE Robert, it`s neat that there is so much history behind your F250 and knowing your plans are to rebuild it to it`s former glory. Those two years in a Ford garage and 15 years of body work experience certainly gives you a great start.

 

We need the young gun's to carry on the passion we member's have.....

 

Thank you. This truck is definitely filled with history within the family. I want to honor that history by keeping with it's roots, hence keeping 300 (one of the best engines made by any of the manufacturers in my biased opinion) but also looking at the long term uses. My in-laws live in MN and I want to be able to haul a tag along over there in comfort with relative ease. But I also want to keep it as a truck, a dependable truck, and not be afraid to throw a box full of lumber in it and use it that way, too.

I won't be able to get the F250 out of storage and to the garage until spring time, but I figured if I start accumulating parts and tech help now, do some research on upgrades, then I'd be a couple of months ahead of the ball game.

 

Welcome to the site!