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First post. I've been lurking these forums for advice, and a few weeks ago I came across this truck on Craigslist and made it my first truck:
It's a 1979 Ford F150 4x4 Automatic Shortbed. It takes a good picture, but there is some rust dents. It runs and drives, but the steering and brakes both have a lot of give.
The glovebox had the original owners manual and tag, deposit ticket, and there was a receipt showing that the engine was rebuilt in 2003 (I'm not sure if that means it was entirely swapped out or just key parts were cleaned and replaced). The odometer shows about 84,000 miles. I supposed that could have rolled over a time or two.
I think I want to do a "pro touring project," where the outside is kept the same but underneath is updated. But I'm not sure where to begin.
First post. I've been lurking these forums for advice, and a few weeks ago I came across this truck on Craigslist and made it my first truck:
It's a 1979 Ford F150 4x4 Automatic Shortbed. It takes a good picture, but there is some rust dents. It runs and drives, but the steering and brakes both have a lot of give.
The glovebox had the original owners manual and tag, deposit ticket, and there was a receipt showing that the engine was rebuilt in 2003 (I'm not sure if that means it was entirely swapped out or just key parts were cleaned and replaced). The odometer shows about 84,000 miles. I supposed that could have rolled over a time or two.
I think I want to do a "pro touring project," where the outside is kept the same but underneath is updated. But I'm not sure where to begin.
Any advice is welcome.
oh please dont, just do a restoration on it and maybe a 4in susp lift, theres almost nothing you cant buy new for your truck.
Very nice looking truck. I wouldn't modify it. Maybe just change out worn suspension and brake parts. Also look into a new gas filler hose, after 30+ years they get worn.
You said the steering has a lot of give.
Let me relate to you a situation that happened to me back in 1991.
Saw a 77 F250 and decided I wanted it.
Took it for a test drive and I had to work the steering wheel from 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock to keep it going straight.
Told the owner I wouldn't pay what he was asking due to the messed up steering.
We made a deal that he lower the price by $1000 to cover the steering issue.
Drove it home, got my tool box out and re-attached the steering box to the frame.
The darn thing was ready to fall off. Took it for another test drive and the steering wheel stayed at 12 o'clock and only required one finger on the wheel.
Moral of the story...check you steering box 1st.
You said the steering has a lot of give.
Let me relate to you a situation that happened to me back in 1991.
...
Moral of the story...check you steering box 1st.
Bob
Yeah, I would say it has that much give. I will check that out.
I am tempted by thoughts of rear disc brakes myself. If for no other reasons than the ease of changing pads vs shoes.
The modifications that make me shudder are cutting door panels for speakers instead of using factory locations. Putting in narrowed axels, chopping into the roof, 20 inch rims, slamming the suspension. ...
I recently bought a 79 F150 4X4 myself. The steering was bad enough, plus dry rotted tires, that I trailered it home. After looking at it today I seen that the track arm is extremely loose. I'll be picking up new bushings this week and installing them next weekend. Everything else seems tight. There's a number of threads that I've found on here helping to diagnose and fix steering issues. Best of luck and enjoy the ride (yes pun intended).
Over the weekend, I changed the oil. While I was under the truck, I saw some seepage around what I think are two parts of the transmission? (I'm a n00b). Please see photos. Are these big trouble? Is there anything simple I can do?
I also removed the bed liner. I knew there was some rust, but it doesn't look too bad to my newbie eye. Are any of these spots fatal to the bed?
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