Howdy there fellas,
I am a new member on here but a true die hard Ford dan. All I have ever owned if 78 and 79 fords but right now I am looking to sell or trade of my 79 free wheelin bronco in order to obtain a 51 or 52 Ford F100 project. Its one of my favorite 50's ford body styles. Would like to have one to do a mild hot rod action to. Are there any problems I should be looking for? Any areas of concern I should take my time to look over? Or am I pretty much gonna have to settle for it being a 60 year old rig and you just get what you get? I am hoping to have about 3 grand to spend and would hopefully like to get at least a driver instead of a basket case. Any help or info would be great. Thanks for welcoming me to this community.

 

I am fairly new too, and there are a lot of members here who can help a lot more than I can. But, look for one without too much rust, preferably one with useable fenders and not rusted through on the cab corners and the front cab mounting bolts (just inside the doors at the front on each side). If you are going to hot rod the flathead you will want to find one that runs and doesn't have a cracked block etc.

 

Welcome to FTE! You have found the best Ford site on the web. It all depends how you want to do it... Original or Darkside... If you want to buy a running or piece one together.... They are all great... And you found a site that has a great bunch of men and women on it.

 

If it's a pickup hot rod yer looking to do, save yer pennies until an F1 comes along. Don't settle on an F2 or larger even if the price is right, cuz it'll cost more in the end. Wait until the right F1 comes along. And good luck!

 

When inspecting a possible F1 purchase, look over the cab corners, floor, bottoms of front and rear fenders where they meet with the running boards, upper and lower fenders on the sides, running boards from top and underneath.

 

Honky( is that a PC name?) I would think you might find something with a decent body that drives for the money you have in hand - if you are patient, and stay hooked up with fellow members in Cali and the other western states, who could keep an eye peeled for one.I'm amazed at the great trucks that have fallen into FTE members hands at unbelievable prices.

I'd watch out for Ilya(51 Panelman), though, he's on top of all the 48-52 stuff in NorCal and you'll be bested in any trading you do w/him!! LOL.Just kidding, Ilya.

In my opinion, you're often wisest to save more money and spend it on the very best example you can afford, of whatever model you are looking for.That is usually the easiest way to get a vehicle on the road quick(er) and be enjoying it years sooner.

Unless you've got great fabricating skills and deep pockets, it's better to have let someone else go through all the headaches time and money,then giving up on their dream.Which can become your dream,with them taking the financial loss.

Quite a few guys here are still dreaming,scheming, and making plans for their "someday" truck, for the entire time I've been a member.Others arrive with an old rust-bucket and great intentions, and drop off the site in 6 mos.Me, I am a "fixer", not a builder, so I know myself and what I'm capable of doing,as well as what I'm not.Thus, I've been daily-driving my vehicle for 12 years.

You are going to spend the dough,one way or another, make no mistake about that.You can dole it out in small amounts,letting it bleed you and your enthusiasm, or do it up front and be driving it years sooner.You have to decide for yourself.

Good luck and welcome to FTE.

 

Welcome to the forum. Lots of good insight and experience here. Good luck with your project. I'm not sure if 3k will get you a driver but you should be able to pick up something without some of the major issues described. It should get you to a good starting point.

 

Welcome to FTE. Unless you are located in the Northeast you can probably find a running truck for around 3K if you search. Price is highly dependent on what area of the country you live in....

 

Thanks for all the great advice. Preferably I would want something I could drive and tinker with right off the bat and having the truck look as stock as possible. My plan would be for a simple lowering and some minor mechanical upgrades. I fount one I like, but still am stuck on waiting for my 79 Bronco to sell. I dont want to waste anyones time by asking to go look at their rigs when I dont have the money to spend quite yet. I am however looking forward to getting something vintage and doing the work myself, its always a pleasure learning new things and picking up tips from people who are in the know.