Alright guys I'm at a crossroads here. My dads got a 78 f250 4x4 that I've wanted since I was like 6. I'm 19 now. But for years he would not turn loose of it. So I acquired my 76 f100 4x4. The other day me and him were bsing and he said he'd trade me as long as he got to keep his 460. So here's the skinny on my truck. Its a shortbed. I went ahead and did a 3/4 ton conversion. Dana 60 rear with knuckle out hardware up front. 4.10 gears with a powrlok in the back. 6 inch lift with a shackle flip/zero rate. But here's the thing. Its been rode hard and put up wet. its got battle scars here and there. Bent frame horns. And I need to get the tranny rebuilt and find a new tcase(ditched the 203). His truck is straight as an arrow and pretty much stock with 33s. Should I trade him and start over again?

 

What's the engine on the 76?

 

Its a 390 I started building. Its .30 over with stock internals. Ported and polished small chambers heads with an edelbrock performer intake. But part of the deal was he gets to keep his motor and I keep mine.

 

Well that makes not getting the 460 not so bad. I think the bad (frame repairs, tranny, t-case) outweighs the good (6"lift, locker). It'd be cheaper to get a lift and locker for the 250 than it would be to fix the 76. Plus you've wanted it forever... If it were me, I'd trade him. JMO.

 

If you are going to ride your dads as hard as yours, i would not do it. Unless yours was already abused from previous owners.

 

+1. Exactly what I thought.

 

^^^^ same here

 

^^^^^ same here also, depends on what you want to do with it.

something to beat on, yours. something to drive daily and keep looking good, his.

 

I'm with the guys above me. If you plan on riding the "new" truck hard, don't trade. Not only will you mess up a completely straight classic, you may also **** your dad off for beating on his truck.

 

"" "" "" "" "" From all the above.

Don't trash your Dads classic if it has the sentimental value you described.

 

My 76 was in that condition when I bought it. I was raised better that that lol.

 

With that being said, I say go for the trade. His truck making through another generation would be great. I wish I could have started my build with my dads old truck, but he sold it many years ago.

 

I'm leaning towards the trade. I'm just fond of the fact the 76 is a 3/4 ton shortbed and that I've put so much work into it.

 

I concur. If you intend to take good care of it, do it. Otherwise, leave it be. If he is just looking to sell it, then buy it outright, and have one for lovin', and one for really loving.
I know a little about the sentimental value these old trucks can carry. I've been waiting since I was 9 to get my hands on dad's truck. I'm now in my (upper) 40's, and just got it late last month. Yeah, he bought it off the dealer lot back in 74, and only once did he even consider replacing it. That was when I turned 16. Took another 30 years, but he did finally hand over the keys........

 

You'll end up with both in the end, do the swap.