[/QUOTE]Hello All, I am new here today and have an opportunity buy a running 1948 Ford F1. The fella that has is a mechanic told me it currently has a 351w and an automatic transmission. He put new brakes on recently as well. I'm just wanting something to drive around town and work on here and there. I will post a picture when I figure it out. Thoughts on if I'm crazy or ok for considering it.

 

Hey Mitch! So you're asking a bunch of truck owners if it's crazy to buy old iron? What, are you nuts?

If the truck runs and drives, that's a good start. Any comments on the condition of the body or asking price?

DW

 

True condition and price vs your skill and knowledge level. Don't expect to get in it and have a trouble free experience. Old trucks can be a lot of fun and satisfaction as well as a lot of frustration.
What FortyNiner said. And welcome.

 

Buy it! (its not my money)

 

I'm going to go look at it tonight. Its a 2 hour drive to see it but, I think it will be worth it. It has some rust and he drives it at least twice a week. I want to be able to work on it and problem solve. I plan on having my son work with me on it. He is asking 4K for it.

 

Examine the sheet metal very carefully for bondoed over/ shoddily repaired rust damage. Typical rust spots: cab lower corners, door frame and skin bottoms, around 2 piece front fender seams, fender/running board junctions, running boards, There are others, but any rust repairs in these areas that needs redoing is going to be quite expensive to fix unless you are highly skilled body man. There are no repro assemblies made and few patch panels for the F1.
My and most other's advice on starting a project is always to seek out and buy the very best rust free sheet metal you can find/ afford, the mechanicals are a lot cheaper and easier to rebuild/replace.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm hoping all is well and I can bring it back with me tonight.

 

The asking price isn't out of line if the truck is reasonably sound. Both Ax and Ray are spot on regarding expectations and starting points. Be sure to look this beauty over with a critical eye. None of these old gals are without issues. Part of your mission is to understand them as best you can and bump them against your readiness - both abilities and budget.

 

Mechanically I think its in good shape. I will look very carefully at it this evening. As for my abilities and budget, I hope I'm up to the challenge on both. I will take my time and work on her right and not screw it up. The last thing I want to do damage this truck.

 

The only other piece of advice that I can give is take a trailer or have a Uhaul trailer on standby there. I'm sure it's a good decent truck, BUT you might end up stuck on the side of the road if you attempt a 2 hour drive right after handing over the money. I say this from experience.

 

Good call, Thanks

 

Same experience.

 

Ha that's funny! FortyNiner is right ! Your talking to a bunch of old ford truck guys! Of course check doors and cab corners and seems around the roof, if there good and it runs Throw a 3k offer and see what happens. They always seem to follow me home when I go to look! I love my hobbie!

 

Of course the worst time to look at a car or bike for sale is at night as it is hard to see stuff and the paint and general finish will look much better at night than it may do in the daylight. So you just need to be more careful and thorough to protect yourself.

 

Are you OK? Is any of us here OK? Likely not, but don't let that stop you from having fun with an old truck. 2 hours is nothing. I've gone 5 hours one way for two of mine. Welcome to the forum. Keep us posted on what you find.