I am trying to decide whether to buy a truck and would like some input. I have been wanting an older F-250 for some time. Its something I want but don't really have an urgent need for though. A co-worker has started thinking about trading for a newer truck. He is the second owner of a 1989 F-250 Extended cab LB 4X4 with a 460 and C-6 which has 72000 miles. Used only to pull a camper so it has been sitting in the elements a lot. I wished I had taken a pic but I did not. I looked at it today and here are the pros and cons.

Pros= Good straight body with hardly any dings. Interior is in good shape, no tears or cracks. Has had new AC compressor and PS pump installed last year. Trans was rebuilt 20K miles ago. Frame rails has only surface rust in places with one exception. It sounds like it could use a tune up but seems to run well.

Cons= Has one place on the frame rail near the rf tire that will need to be cleaned, primered and painted. It will have to have a paint job, light rust spot on hood and badly faded paint. It sounds like there could be a exhaust leak on the RS manifold but went away after warming up, may be a lifter im not sure. Most everything looks original so I'm thinking I will need to replace a lot of stuff to get it up to par like fuel hoses, fuel pump, fluid change in diff, vacum hoses ect.

He says he wants $4000 for it. I can get a bare bones paint job for around $2k and I am thinking an additional $2k for a new exhaust and the needed maint listed above. So for a total of around $8k I am thinking I would have a good dependable truck. Is this too much to sink into a truck thats 28 years old? Hell its so old Kelly Blue book doesn't go back that far. Can you guys give me some direction if this would be worth taking on? I appreciate any help you can give. Thanks

 

Seems a bit overpriced to me. Check Craig's List and see what they are going for in your area.

 

Does seem overpriced. I wouldn't give more than 3k, just going off your description.

Pictures would help.

 

Be prepared to never pass a gas station with that truck. It's a big heavy barn door with a gas guzzling 460 cubic inch engine. The starting price is high, then add in the repairs it's going to be costly just getting this project off the ground.

Just throwing that out there if the intent is to regularly drive this truck. If you need to haul something occasionally I would look for a 1/2 ton with a small block V8.

 

Thanks for the responses. I have been looking on Craigslist for over a year and every candidate seems to have either high milage 200+, rust holes, beat all to heck or just overpriced. Most of the times a combination of those. I have developed a habit of buying machine tools that require hauling but only a couple times of year usually. I have a Dodge Dakota V8 4x4 which can handle most jobs but there have been two times which I have had to unhook and borrow a friends truck because it was just too much tongue weight. I was thinking $3k would be a fair offer with a top being $3200. I have a daily driver so it would not be driven much, just enough to keep it running and dependable. I'm still on the fence. I would like to have a truck to tinker on but I'm not sure I shouldn't wait for a Diesel.

 

These are one of the best trucks to keep on the road or restore. If it's worth it to you, do it.