My son (12) came up to me a couple months ago and said he would like to have a truck when he is 16. He will be 13 in march. He likes fishing and hunting, that was his reason for the truck. Hes not interested in lowering it or anything that a lot of people do. So when his god father told me he had a good running 75 with a 390 im thinking this would be great for him. Neither one of us our mechanics mind you but it looks fun. The truck would come with a new core support, new fenders, new radiator, rust free doors and if I wanted a real good 76 cab. This one is not bad it just needs a body mount he said. First off does this look like a good non-mechanic project? Or should I let it go and get the boy something else when funds are available. I showed him pics of the f250 and he likes it. My kid is not real particular, he would drive it as is lol. That's a good thing we tried to instill in him. I have some car knowledge, but grandpa has some and my best friend is a bonafide genius lol. He is good at fabbing, welding, painting you name it. Oh by the way with all the spares I can get the truck for 600.00 and the god father has enough stuff to make it 4wd if we wanted to. Opinions wanted please

 

I think it would be a cool project for you and your son,
These trucks are pretty easy to work on, but if theres anything you dont know how to do you can ask real on here and get a reply quick.

If you know someone that can do welding, body work, paint that cab mount will be easy.

Looks like a nice truck. Good luck!

 

I say go for it!
You have a few years to get it done but if y'all stick with it you will have a lifetime of memories.

 

I think it is a great idea. Sounds like me a few years ago. I told my father I wanted a truck. We found a '76 F-100 2wd long bed much like the one you've pictured above. Got it when I was 14 and had lots of good times working on it and fixing things. Started driving it when I got my permit at 15 and then license at 16. It was my daily driver in high school and is still my daily driver and I'm in college. There is something about these old trucks. As I'm only eighteen and have bought two more!

Looks like a fairly decent truck though and at a very decent price. I'd say go for it. Don't fret about not having many skills. They're super easy to work on and you can find out how to do just about anything down to what wrench size to use on this site. Good luck!

 

Go for it ! Good father son project . Memories in the making !

 

Looks like there might be a floor problem also.
And as others have said. Go for it. Get everything that will go with it, even the cab. Just in case..

 

I say JUMP ON IT!!! Like others have already stated. It's a good learning/ teaching project. As well as a way to really bond with your son. Plus it'll score brownie points with your wife when she see how the two of you are working and bonding together. Though I wouldn't recommend converting it to a 4x4 unless you have a 4x4 frame in need of a body.

 

I went down the same road with my daughter. She's also 12 going on 12 (in April). So after seeing the movie twilght for the 100th time she said that she wants an old truck like Bella. So we looked everywhere trying to narrow it down. Locally I found a Ford and a few C10's. After looking at them and discussing what we (I) could do she chose the Ford. So fast forward about 8 months. What was a 73F100 with near perfect body, I pulled the 360/c-6, redid the interior and upgrade the stereo, added custom kick panels, layers of sound deadening, purchase a 94 MK VIII, pulled the 4.6 DOHC motor, 4R70W trans, ECM, wiring, etc...and have begun rebuilding the engine. I also order new valve covers for the 4.6, custom motor mounts, trans mount, and intake.

So here we are....She helps when she can, but attention to detail is not her forte'. I hope to have the new Ron Francis wiring harness, and fuel pump order within the next month, and have the engine and trans in it by April.

Please is to also fab up some A/C line so she can have her A/C back, new fuel lines, rear disc brake swap, 17" bullet style wheels, custom exhaust, and done hopefully this fall.

She'll still be 13 at the time, but I'll need it tuned and I'll definately have to drive it around a bit to work the kins out...Should take about 2 years.. If she doesn't want it then I'll sell it or "buy" it from her.

Good luck! I would personally contine to look around and not buy something with so much cancer. Blown motor/trans, ok, but that's a LOT of rust IMO.