Hey All,

New to the Forum and I would like to get a quick consensus. I recently purchases a 1973 F100 Ranger, 390 2 bbl with a C6 trans. Truck is in really good condidtion apart from a few small patches, 2 or 3 very minor rust areas. All the trim is present, with only one small piece that would need to be replaced and both front and rear bumbers are flawless. Engine runs descent, 83,000 original miles, only thing mechanically wrong is I can't get it to shift into reverse.

In any case, by this point you are wondering what the hell I am asking. I have helped friends and family do restores in the past but have never done one for myself. I my question is with a truck that is in this good of shape does it make more sense to do a clean it up and drive it restore or complete tear down? Obviously this affects how I start and what I do and I am having trouble making up my mind. Any words of advice would be appreciated.

 

All depends on how much money you have to put into your truck.If you have the money do you have the free time to do a restore in a timely fashion? Do you have a large enough space to do a proper restore plus tools? Have you done any research on what problems you will encounter with these old trucks? Are you going to do any upgrades to the brakes,AC,engine,ride level etc.?
If you do not want to do a full restoration now then I would drive the truck and do any repairs and or changes along the way until I had the time and money to do a full restoration.That way you are not putting out all your money and time at once and you may change your mind after you drive it for awhile as to how you want your truck to end up. My 2cents.

"bowties in the rearview mirror"

 

lets see some pics. From there we will be able to give you a more honest answer.

 

I decided. For now I am going to pull the interior, which I did tonight. then pull the motor. I will redo the interior, fix the small hole in the floor pan, pull the dash, repaint the color I see fit, sound dead, carpet, replace the heating and ac components, cover the seat and clean up all the existing gauges.

Going to pull the motor, upgrade intake, headers, carb, piston and rings, new cam, check all the bearings, new gaskets of course, all new accessories, etc. While the motor is out I will clean up the engine compartment, check all the brakes (which seem to be in good shape thus far), new battery box and paint the engine compartment satin black (I figured this would be a good back drop for the pearl white exterior it will eventually get), and last but not least check the trans and decide whether it needs a good overhaul. Will also be selling all the original parts for factory restore guys.

The exterior for now will get a thoroough buffing, fix the small patch, new grille and refinshed bumpers, 2-3 drop front to back (I think this is available but need to do some more research) new set of wheels and tires (though the existing wheels and tires are kind of unique) Will post pics tomorrow.

The good thing is most of the original parts can be cleaned up and resused. I may have understated my experience level earlier but the help is much appreicated. You guys know anybody in the Indianapolis area?