I am building my first Ford F100 and I went (going) through this same dilemma myself. Here're my choices:

1. Whatever engine is still in it. In my case I have a 350 SBC that I hope I can get up and running without whole lot of effort. If i can get it going I will just use it until I can get more money for something better.

2. Something 'better' would probably be an L33 Gen III LS. It should get in there without too much trouble as there is a lot of collective experience in doing this particular swap. The engine is not too expensive, and it should be both light and powerful enough for a regular use vehicle. It's not the most glamorous thing in the world for a Ford F100 Panel. But it's economical, efficient, and effective for a driver --especially if I can get fuel injection worked out...With 25+mpg I would drive this vehicle a lot!

3. If i wanted to resell the vehicle for the maximum, I would do a 302 SBF. It's just easy and no one really has any complaints with their performance...and it's FORD.

 

In fact I am in the process of making a reproduction part for a my '37 Buick. I would like to see what other kinds of parts I might be able to come up with, parts that no one else is making. I have noticed in the last few years there seems to be a cottage industry for making small run replacement parts that none of the places like Carpenter or Drake just don't see a profit in making, they're tooled for large run items. Our own Firstrider is making parts for heaters. On the HAMB board I've been in communication with a few members who have made small parts and some are even selling to places like Carpenter and Drake. This type of business I don't think will ever produce enough income to live off of but I think could provide a decent supplemental income. Something like this would fit in great for a person like me with a full time business that experiences lulls but still has shop space and tools they already have and can use.

As for the equipment, I have a lot more than most but not as much as many. I have the basic tools along with a MIG welder, plasma cutter, shop press, small lathe and a pretty good variety of power hand tools. I tend to work with what I have and won't buy a specialty tool unless I know it will do 1 of 3 things, save me time, make me money or do something that is going to make a product better.

 

$5k for a complete nice truck
$5k for paint
$2k for engine/trans in decent rebuilt shape
$1k for wheels tires
$2k for front and rear axle, suspension, brakes
$2k for interior
$3k for odds and ends to make all the above a complete truck again

That's how I got to my $20k. Are there ways to shave money off this? Yes!
Can you build a nice truck for $10k? In my opinion, it would be very hard unless you are using mostly stock components and they are mostly there already and just need rebuilding. Any paint job is going to cost something... whether it is your time or your money... my time is worth more than my money at this point in my life. Buying a cheap donor vehicle is always helpful, but still... I think it is hard to build anything nice and reasonable quality for much less than $20k.

I guess you could skip the paint job and go for the rat rod look.

 

I don't think that is an option in this case, is it?!! LOL

 

No rat rods or patina look!!!!

I'm thinking a cost list more like this:

$2-3k for a mostly complete truck (add $500 with running stock engine)
$500 for paint (low buck single stage paint, non-metallic-think tractor restoration paint)
$500 for engine/trans (find a decent used set up in running donor vehicle-N/A if there is a stock set up)
$800 for wheels tires (Nothing fancy street tires)
$500 for front and rear axle, suspension, brakes (new wheel cylinders, shoes, master cylinder and brake lines, shocks)
$500 for interior (headliner, seat cover)
$1K for odds and ends to make all the above a complete truck again

I also think if I search around I might be able to bring some of these costs down.

 

So now you've got $6,000 in my new truck. How much are you gonna ask for it?

 

How much are you willing to pay?!!!

 

Well, if I ever get finished with Betsy, I'm going to look for one of these.



65 F100 with a V8 and 3 on the tree. My dad had one, and I let it slip away.

So, it would really depend on if you wanted to work on a newer truck like this.

But I'm thinking I'd be more likely to find a rust-free version somewhere out west...

And I'll be retired, so maybe I should just do it myself... keep me out of trouble.

Guess I just talked myself out of it.

 

No, don't talk yourself out of doing it. You can never have too many trucks. Trucks make you feel good. Others will look at you with admiration as you drive your truck. You will become idol.


Remember, we hear at FTE are all enablers.

 

No. I meant I just talked myself out of letting you do the work.

 

I daily drive back and forth from my house to yours would probably kill the deal anyways