First of all, I'm new to the site. Just joined tonight.
I'm coming from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

I recently found this Ford on my local craigslist site.
I have not redone any vehicles by myself, the only experience I have is helping my brother rebuild a 454 for a 1987 chevy monte carlo.
The truck seems like it's in great shape for the price.

I talked to the guy, and got him down to 600, but how bad could this turn out? Could I recover if I got in over my head by just selling it?
Also:
Does anyone have info about it like tire sizes? He said the only thing missing is the carb, and the only thing broken (that he knows of) is a rear leaf spring shackle. I'm quite interested, but my wife is rather hesitant.

What do you guys think?

 

First let me say welcome to FTE.Well I will throw my opinion out there. You probably started off on the right foot by asking questions. A word of advise is be careful buying a vehicle that does not run unless that is what you are looking for. You can't drive it to hear or see any problems that it might have. Second do a lot of home work find out what has been done or what needs to be done to the truck. Do some research find out what parts are going to cost and are they easily available. Sorry I do not know the tire size. Have you seen the truck in person? What broke the leaf spring shackle? Do you want to restore it? Make it a daily driver? How much of the work can you do? What is the budget? It is also my opinion you don't buy a truck like this to make money off of ,you buy it because you like it. I don't know your area but I paid about a hundred more for mine and it ran and had all the parts it needs alot of work but I like to work on it. Keeps me off the streets. Good luck .

 

I agree with Patmedic start with questions. I bought my 66 for $700 almost 2 years ago. I went through the brakes, and replaced everything. I could have done it with less, but I really wanted to make sure the brakes were okay. I also ended up replacing everything under the hood except the engine, the clutch, U-joints, 2 tires, and rewired the truck. I have about $4000 in my truck now, and it runs great, but does not look great. It is ugly primer grey, but the important thing to me is that it is reliable. Now I am starting the pretty parts. I would estimate i will have $8000.00 in it when I am done, and I am going for a stock 1966 Ford truck not a hot rod.

 

Welcome to FTE!

Looking at it in the add, if that's what you think you want, you know what you intend to do about no bed, and are willing to invest time and money, I think it's a fair deal. What little i can see of it in the add, it looks above average. I think what he means by "it needs a carb" is the carburetor is plugged up and needs attention.

Best of luck,
Jim

 

Welcome to FTE you came to the right place and are off to a good start by asking questions first. The Truck in the pictures "seems" to be in fair shape. Not to many 66 duallies around. What is your intended use of the truck? Could be a unique cruiser and an awesome tow vehicle, just depends what you want. If it's close enough to go look at, take a mechanic buddy and check it out thoroughly. Best of luck to you and keep us updated.

 

well sounds like nice truck but what is it ? no pics or info on it !

 

The Ad say 37000 miles. probably 137,000 or 237,000 IMO. The older odometers just roll back to zero after 99,999 so there could 3, 4 or even 5 hundred thousand. if the truck has changed owners in the past, your local Department of Motor vehicles will have a record of the previous milages. Many will not give you that info, but in some states they do. as for tires a lot of the oder trucks have half sizes ie: 31/10.5 16.5.... Sixteen and one half in rims are not uncommon, but the tires are very rare, and when you do find them quite pricey, which will probably facilitate purchasing new rims, and tires. Not having a Carb poses a problem unless you plan on doing an engine rebuild or swap. In reality it is all up to you, if you feel the price is fair, (and you know your local market better than those of us in other parts of the country) then go ahead with your purchase. Plan on having to do a new engine pretty soon, tires and brakes also. That can be very pricey or very reasonable depending on how much sweat equity you are willing to invest into it. At that price if it doesn't work out , you can always part it out, and possibly make a few bucks on it! Good luck with it,

 

Wow.
I can't thank you enough for replying so fast!

As for the carb. I talked to the guy who currently owns it, and he said the guy HE bought it from took the carb off of it, but it did run before doing so.

Other than that, he told me that he was 95% sure that it was original miles (no rolling over). He said the tires were in good shape, but just dry rotted and what not from sitting for a while, and possibly being over 40 years old. The brakes he said worked fine at the time he bought it, but to check them for safety sakes.

As for me seeing it in person, I have not had a chance.

I really like the look of this truck, and I think it would look pretty awesome if you put a well-done flatbed on the truck. I think it would make this a really neat grocery-getter. My wife's rather hesitant about purchasing it because she doesn't really know what kind of work it will take. I think that as long as I can learn how to do things, maybe have this done in two years or so (I'm not going to rush myself) I think that I'll do pretty good on it.
The guy said that there was only a little surface rust on the truck, but the body was in amazing shape. He said that some glass would have to be replaced, I think it was the passenger door and the windshield? I can't remember. Anyways, I appreciate you guys giving so much advice. If I have any more questions I know I"ll be back.
Do you guys have any suggestions on what you would do with the truck? (IE flatbed, get original bed..etc) I love hearing other peoples ideas. It often gives me good ones.

- Thanks


PS - To those who did not see the link to the ad... the word Ford in the original post is a hyperlink to it.

 

First I need you to know that what ever you decide to do with the truck is the right thing. I think most of the guys will agree we all have our opinions, some are going stock like me, others are doing some updates but overall staying stock, and some are Rodders or custom guys. We are all right!!!

I would think about building a cool flatbed for this truck. There were no dually stock beds back then, but I have seen some creative solutions to that too if you like a bed with a tailgate. I have also liked the tow truck style box bed. If you plan on any pulling that could be cool.

The 352 has lots of possibilities, it is a pretty strong engine, being the 390's kid brother. I just hope someone put something over the carb hole or you could have some trouble there.

Looks like a cool project good luck and ask lots of questions, there are lots of guys here to answer them, and most likely someone has seen the issue you will have.

 

My advise would be listen to your wife and stay far away from this 'parts' truck.

Way too many things wrong and too many red flags to even go look at it.

Find a running, complete truck, drive it, ask questions of the seller and don't deal with a liar like this guy.

 

My 66 F350 is Identical to that. Same color and custom cab trim package. 16 inch wheels

I think yours is a steal at that price.

How long has it sat with the carb off and did they plug the holes in the manifold?

Remember this is a 100% truck. No power steering or power brakes. Top speed about 65 or 70 with the FE screaming. So about 6 miles to the gallon on gas if lucky.

 

I think it would be cool project , any time some one can take a older truck and resurrect it is pretty cool as these trucks were all steel and solid , no plastic !

 

upfordman
If I where to buy it, a flat bed would be the way to go for me. As far as getting the project done in 2 years might be pushing it. I have done a couple projects in my garage after I got out of the business. It took me longer than expected. Some of the other posters here can say they have worked on there projects a life time. Again my opinion is to start out with one that needs less work for your first project. I would hate to see someone with the ambition to take on a huge project like this one get burnt. Pardon the expression but learn how to walk before you run. Buying tools , material , parts , books etc takes time and funds. Good luck on what ever you decide.

 

I agree with OldHarley Id be picking it up for the parts I need on mine at that price. Go there with cash in hand and you can get it lower sometimes maybe half of the asking. Just my opinion. Good luck.

 

Welcome to FTE

Since this is an F350, it has front leaf springs, so it will steer and ride like an oxcart. No power steering was available.

1953/66 F350 wheels are 6 lug, on a 7.25" bolt circle and could be 16's (rare), but they could also be 17's (far more common), 19.5's, or even 22.5's.

And since it has DRW (Dual Rear Wheels), the wheels are prolly split-rims aka "widow makers" (used w/tube type tires-only). Good luck finding a tire shop in today's world that will mess with these wheels.

There is no other wheel from any other Ford truck that will fit. And...F350's with DRW used different wheels than F350's with SRW (Single Rear Wheels).

It's in Michigan, where they use salt on the roads, so that means it prolly has some rust, even if the 37,000 miles is correct (which I doubt).

If you like these trucks, look for a 1965/66 F100 2WD. You can install P/S & Power Disc brakes from a 1973/79 F100 2WD or 1975/79 F150 2WD.

Parts are easier to find for F100's than F350's, and because '65/66 F100's have Twin-I-Beam coil spring front suspension, they ride and steer one heck of a lot better than any F350.

DO NOT get "Buck Fever" and buy the first 'ol truck you see...especially if it's cheap. This F350 is actually no more than a parts truck, because you cannot test drive it, and...

DO NOT believe a single word the seller says, cuz private sellers can lie just as well as used car dealers and lawyers.