1989 F-250 with 302/M5OD. I paid $600 for it in 2009, and let it sit for a number of years until I was able to physically get into the project. Here's what I've done so far:

Replaced engine
New Transmission
Rebuilt front end
Replaced leaf spring bushings
New Shocks
Rebuilt both differentials
New power steering pump and tie rod ends
Recovered the headliner
New Carpet
Add used Lund sunvisor
added a few other odds and ends

Mechanically, it's nearly perfect. I've still got to replace the oil pan and get the drive shaft balanced. I also plan on eventually replacing the rear tank with a Bronco tank, giving me more fuel. Currently, only the front tank is operable.

I'm now down to bodywork, which shouldn't be too bad. The only rust is at the wheel arches...it was a Utah truck, so the frame is VERY solid and clean. I'm thinking about painting the lower half with bedliner, and the top half with black primer. I don't want to do a professional paint job, since this is a father/son project.

I'm still under $2500 total into the project...and still have about another $1000 or so to go before I hit my limit of $3500.

What's your thoughts?? Bedliner and black primer, or should I go with a light gray primer on top? Or, do top and bottom in bedliner, and the center band in a gray primer?

 

Great find!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks. The guy that sold it to me was a bit upset. He wanted $900, and I told him that my wife only gave me $600 to play with due to lack of funding. Since it was 2009, the height of the financial meltdown of the country, he decided to sell at the price I offered. When he asked for a pen to sign the title over to me, I opened the garage to get one for him...and MY toy was sitting in it, recently washed and waxed...a 1987 Mercedes Benz 560SL. After a bit of cursing under his breath, he signed the title and went on his way.

I'm a cheap *******, and waited for a year before I found this gem.

 

Primer is not good for a top coat, it will surface rust thru the primer. better way to go is to put on a coat of primer then use a satin black over it as the actual paint coat will protect it better. Also, bedliner is heavy and hard to remove later if you decide to change, if you are going to use it, I would only do the bottom