My sad story, take two, for some reason I lost everything I previously typed . Anyhow I have been shopping for a Dent/Bump side for Two years, that's right Two years. I admit I'm picky, very Picky, and started out on my mission with a mere $3000 but today I am shopping with twice as much money and still no truck. I look on craigslist and E-bay every single day always thinking this could be the day.
I will now explain why it has been so difficult to find my truck. First of all is financial, these trucks in the North East are like gold if in decent shape. second is I'm particular about what I want.
Time for a Explanation of what I'm looking for. A stick shift is mandatory so I can teach my children to drive with a clutch of course. This was a great accomplishment for a young driver as I remember it. I want to learn to wrench on a truck and teach my young son at the same time . But at the same time I don't want to take on more than I can handle, baby steps here. I like 4x4 trucks, I like 2 wheel drive trucks, I like long beds, I like short beds. The most important thing is the appearance of the truck needs to catch my eye. I like patina more than fresh paint, fresh paint scares me, that is what could possibly be lurking under the paint scares me. The rain gutter rust is what I'm most fearful of.
I have been to several different car shows at Carlisle Pa. looking for my truck. This coming weekend I'll be back at Carlisle for the Ford Nationals, maybe just maybe this will be the moment I've been waiting for.
Thanks for your time. My truck will be BeauFORD.

 

Good luck on your search.
You might consider widening your search area. Decent trucks from out west are available. Maybe make a family vacation out of the search.
Go on vacation, come back with a dent'.

 

Thanks for the reply Mikeo0o0o0, Definitely wish that was a possibility but that trip would consume all my truck funds. I also am hesitant to buy something off E-bay without the ability to see the truck in person. I also don't own a trailer, so anything I buy needs to be able to make the trip home. Another problem I have is beside my wife who doesn't like driving on unfamiliar roads and territories I'm a bit of a loner so I hate imposing on others to help me transport a truck.

 

Here is some truck shopping advice....

New truck buying excitement….First relax, do not show your enthusiasm to the seller! Act as if it is easy come, easy go. Here are some basics for checking out one of these rigs. Lots of mental notes to take! A written checklist is also OK to bring with you if needed. BE READY TO START MAKING A LIST TO DISCUSS WITH THE OWNER.
Basic Visual Inspection: TITLE TITLE TITLE 1st CHECK THE VI# ON THE PAPER TITLE, THEN AGINST THE DVRS DOOR (WARRENTY PLATE) NOT a VI# plate, AND THEN THE (SAFETY STANDARDS*CERTIFICATION*LABEL) THIS IS NOT, I SAY AGAIN NOT THE VIN PLATE! THE ACTUAL VIN IS STAMPED ON THE FRAME! AND IT IS NOT ON THE DASH EITHER.
Do a bumper to bumper visual inspection; this is also time to go on “Visual Hack Patrol” All those so-called “repairs” made by previous owners. Look for duct tape, household wire nuts, electrical tape, wood screws, wires that go to nowhere.
Any leaks on the ground? What about the rear axle drum backing plates (wheel cylinder) or the pinion seal(s).
Look for loose, missing, or broken hardware like lugs, lug nuts, fender and bumper bolts, and bell housing to engine bolts. Feel around for soft or cracked hoses – radiator hoses degrade from the inside. Crimp it with your hand and it should have the same firmness all the way around.
How do the radius arm bushings look? Rock the truck back and forth..any squeaks??? 4x4, ck the trac bar bushings. And ck the 4x4 operation. 4Hi and 4low.
Are the tires evenly worn? Any leaf springs broken, right where the u bolts pass by the leaf spring edge? All the glass good? Bed liner in it, lift up the end and look under it for rust. Tailgate work?
Fluid Check.
Engine oil check, is it full and relatively clean. Or does it smell musty and old or like GAS?
Coolant, is there an oily sheen? Does it look like milkshake?*
Check level of auto trans, power steering, and brake fluid.*
Ask if there is anything on the engine that has been heli-coiled.
Note any newish parts. Any “it’s been rebuilt” stories, show me a receipt.
Pre-Operation
Check for brake pressure, pedal low? Pedal sinks to floor? Comes back up slowly? Park brake work, if it’s a standard trans, that’s a biggie. Ask the owner BEFORE you put it on. It might NOT release. Check when truck is running and in gear it it’s an auto. The brake light on the dash will NOT COME ON WHEN YOU SET THE PARK BRAKE….
Ask owner battery condition then, turn on the (key) ignition system to the 1st position (no engine start). Turn on*everything*- exterior and interior lights, dash lights (rheostat to the left to brighten), turn signals, hazards, heater controls, blower fan, wipers, horn, a/c blower, radio. Does everything work? What about the gas gauge?
Turn it all off, then Start Engine. See if elec choke works.
Fire it up and let it idle and just listen to it. Ck oil pressure. Get out of the cab and get your head under the hood. Any leaks? Ticking sounds? Exhaust leaks/tail pipe blue smoke? Knocks, thumps or rattle? Hand blip the throttle and listen, ck oil pressure again after a few minutes of idle time.
Squeeze the radiator hoses... they should not be pressurized. Hard hoses may mean a blown head gasket. Now get back in and turn all that pre operation stuff again. Does it all still work?
Let the owner drive it first and ride shotgun and just look, listen (have the stereo OFF) and get a feel for the truck, see how it drives or what it takes to drive it. Does the owner chase the steering wheel all over the road, does it pull or any grinding noise, when he brakes? Does the transmission shift ok? Truck/clutch shudder when he takes off? Take over on the return drive and note how it tracks, turns, accelerates, and stops. Note the temp gauge and oil pressure reading....and is the heater working (hot air)?
CAREFULLY, do an aggressive stop with your hands lightly on the wheel...does it track straight without assistance? Does it pull to one side or the other, any grinding noises? Park it and let it idle for about five minutes to check if it overheats. What does the temp gauge read?
Shut it off for 10 minutes and then restart it. Hopefully it starts right up. If not, then it can be a vapor lock, a carb that needs to be rebuilt, or defective ignition components like an ICU or coil.
Odd but… take note how clean or unkept the sellers property is or even their own vehicles. That's a sign on how detail-oriented they are. Ask every question about the truck, has it been wrecked, maint history, previous owner’s ?
Cash talks, and BS walks or at least leaves without the truck, be serious about the ALL the issues found and what you might OR WILL need to address as soon as you buy it. Mention that to the owner, he might understand or maybe not care at all. Have your 1st CASH offer in one pocket and the rest of what you are willing pay in the other. Flash the cash a little at a time, in a stack of 20’s, 50’s or 100’s, that always make it harder for the owner to say no.
Have fun, but remember it’s not the only truck for sale, and try not get caught up in the moment (yea right it’s a Ford truck man!)

 

Thanks 77&79 f250 for the do's and don'ts list. I've seen that list more than once as I have been on this sight nightly for the past two years enjoying everybody else's trucks and build threads. I feel like I am a friend of this family , only I'm the the quiet guy that likes to read and learn. I felt as though I needed to let you know I'm here,waiting anxiously to become a member of the Dent family.

 

Glad you have been lurking, reading, and learning... I looked for a while before I found mine... 3 miles from home!

Good luck with your search!

 

Took me 5 years to find the right truck and funds in place. Same scenario except I was even pickier. Had to be a manual 4x4 true Highboy with as little as rust possible in running condition... Started with a budget of 3k (newly married, wife still in school, wanted a project not someone else's finished truck) held firm ended up finding the truck for 2k and used the rest to get me to Texas and drive the truck home. If all you're looking for is a manual and don't care f(1/2/3)50 or 73-79 it should be easy, hell drive to the Midwest I can find them in good shape for 4-5k easily! Good luck, it's a great feeling when that title and BOS are signed and the keys in your hand!

 

That list if just the big stuff lots more info like "where all the bad rust hides", and more indepth eng insp like to do like a compression ck.

Always drive it til the t stat opens and ck the heater operation, even in july. You want to know if the behind the dash flex vents are shot.

Local Craigslist and your state FTE chapter are great places to shop. And this place.

Rustfree Classic 4x4 & 2 & 4 wheel drive Truck s, K5 Blazer s, Bronco s & Suburban s - rust free western Califronia Ford, Chevrolet, Chevy, & GMC 4x4's 4wd 2wd cali/southwest US rust free trucks. Indy is not that far away.

 

I found mine on autotrader classics in Tacoma was, may be worth a look,?

 

I've used the national craigslist search tools to see whats out there. It starts in your zip code and works out. See some good stuff, I've certainly drooled over a few!. SearchTempest: Search all of Craigslist nationwide & more.

Happy hunting BeauFORD !!

 

Hey BeauFORD. Where in PA are you located? I was at Spring Carlisle this year but won't be making it to the Ford Nationals this weekend. I don't know if finding your thread was luck, fate, or whatever but I may have a truck for you...mine.


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...on-thread.html


the only downside is that it is a 3spd auto. I live in State College PA so I would think you couldn't be more than 3 hrs from me. if you're interested, post here or if you want, email me at jtn114@hotmail.com.


Either way, best of luck in your search! I know you'll find your dent someday.

 

Fordguy, five years is indeed a long time. A high boy 4x4 would be sweet. I'm concerned about a truck without power steering and drum brakes, how is it? My dream truck would be a 1978 4x4, stick shift ,but as I said I'm a little flexible on all that except for the stick shift, sorry James.
Kegger I do SearchTempest.com daily as well, thanks.

 

Yeah tell me about it! lol my truck comes with power assist (Bendix) and it has a small leak but it works great. Drum brakes aren't the best on 33s but it needs new hardware and shoes so jury is still out on that. Maybe someday Ill do an axle swap and get disc brakes but that's way down the road.

Yeah search tempest is good and I used a craigslist app on the iPhone that to me shows a better search field and I can add cities as I want

Edit* I already want another truck, crewcab 4x4 but I can be a little flexible on that truck tho lol