Should I beware?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Should I beware?
This truck is a couple hours away. Seller says he was fixing for wife but shifting by gears wears her out. I'm really interested and guess I'm going to look st it tomorrow. It has a 400 with a 4 speed. He says everything works. I'm a little worried driving it home 2 hours. I know there ain't a lot to go on but what do y'all think this is worth? He's asking $3000.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 154
Absolutely buyer beware! Try to find the VIN on the frame, and make sure it matches the title. A matching driver's door warranty tag would be nice too. I'm doubting that the decal in the door jamb will still be readable, considering the blue exterior and the red interior, but maybe... There's also the buck tag on the firewall, which may or may not be there. My truck has the door tag and frame stampings, and that's it.
Bargaining points I see are dents on the driver's door and quarter, missing mirrors, and the front bumper is buckled on both sides near the middle.
If the mechanicals check out good, then the price isn't too far off. Anything like a nice newer crate motor or something, and it might be a decent deal at the advertised price.
I take it you're in a part of the country where rust actually does sleep?
Looks like a '77. Possibly a later non-High Boy example?
And I would say "welcome to the site," based on this being your first post, but then I saw that you actually joined 11 years ago!
Bargaining points I see are dents on the driver's door and quarter, missing mirrors, and the front bumper is buckled on both sides near the middle.
If the mechanicals check out good, then the price isn't too far off. Anything like a nice newer crate motor or something, and it might be a decent deal at the advertised price.
I take it you're in a part of the country where rust actually does sleep?
Looks like a '77. Possibly a later non-High Boy example?And I would say "welcome to the site," based on this being your first post, but then I saw that you actually joined 11 years ago!
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Yeah it's supposed to be a 77. I think original motor cause it's a 400. I didn't notice the bumper. I know it's been recently painted. That kinda makes me wonder how much prep work or what's underneath. Is the paint hiding something? We have plenty of rust here. I live in Alabama. The truck is in Georgia.
Yeah I joined ford trucks years ago probably when I had a 62 unibody. That's about the only other ford I've had. Or I might have joined when I was looking for something to buy.
Yeah I joined ford trucks years ago probably when I had a 62 unibody. That's about the only other ford I've had. Or I might have joined when I was looking for something to buy.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 534
Likes: 27
From: North Texas
Give it a good checking out to see what works/doesn't. check underneath for any crazy (shoddy) work. bottom of the floor pans will give you an idea of whats under the paint. $3,000 is a good price if it runs good.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 48
From: Great American SouthWest
Not a great paint job with a bunch of little dents-I'd bet it's hiding a multitude of sins.
Check for bondo or rust in the usual spots-cab corners, floor pans, wheel arches. Check for leaks. Also be wary of something that is too clean-like they power washed all the grime away, but haven't fixed the leaks.
Check out the 4x4, and check for overheating.
It looks decent, and if it really is decent, $3000 ain't bad
Check for bondo or rust in the usual spots-cab corners, floor pans, wheel arches. Check for leaks. Also be wary of something that is too clean-like they power washed all the grime away, but haven't fixed the leaks.
Check out the 4x4, and check for overheating.
It looks decent, and if it really is decent, $3000 ain't bad
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
The truck looks nice and definitely beware or at least be careful.
Especially with recent re-paint. What is underneath the paint? Take a magnet and plan to spend a lot of time crawling around underneath. The paint job itself looks neat and otherwise pretty basic/simple.
It would not hurt to talk to the seller about how he managed the body work both before and after you look it over.
Especially with recent re-paint. What is underneath the paint? Take a magnet and plan to spend a lot of time crawling around underneath. The paint job itself looks neat and otherwise pretty basic/simple.
It would not hurt to talk to the seller about how he managed the body work both before and after you look it over.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
Absolutely buyer beware! Try to find the VIN on the frame, and make sure it matches the title.
A matching driver's door warranty plate would be nice too.
I'm doubting that the decal (Certification Label) in the door jamb will still be readable, considering the blue exterior and the red interior.
A matching driver's door warranty plate would be nice too.
I'm doubting that the decal (Certification Label) in the door jamb will still be readable, considering the blue exterior and the red interior.
Exterior COLOR code and the BODY (seat upholstery) code, stamped on the Warranty Plate.
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 154
Then definitely bring a suitable bondo-finding magnet with you. If you can get a-hold of one of them things with a camera on a probe, you can really check it out good - up the bed-sides, and maybe up the B pillars.
And if you buy it, just have someone follow you home in a truck with a tow-rope ready, or even rent a U-Haul dolly for just-in-case. And bring a good set of tools. I kind of enjoy the nervousness of a drive like that...
Ask the PO what their driving habits were, and if they ever took it on a long drive. Should be OK.
Doesn't it also contain the VIN? Guess I expected them to, as most of the old Fords I've owned have been Fox Bodies and were too new for a metal warranty plate.
And if you buy it, just have someone follow you home in a truck with a tow-rope ready, or even rent a U-Haul dolly for just-in-case. And bring a good set of tools. I kind of enjoy the nervousness of a drive like that...
Ask the PO what their driving habits were, and if they ever took it on a long drive. Should be OK.
Doesn't it also contain the VIN? Guess I expected them to, as most of the old Fords I've owned have been Fox Bodies and were too new for a metal warranty plate.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,150
Likes: 5,785
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
X2 on what been said. Warranty plate is metal and riveted to the dvrs door edge. Open the door and look right there. Yes it will have the vi# and it hopefully will match the paper title vi#. Here is what the Certification label (on the B pillar below the striker) should look like and it will have the vi# also.
Looks like it is a late (year) made 77 NONE Highboy, would have a married NP-203 xfer case. And since it has a gas flap on the bed, like my late made 77.
Click on this link for some insp tips. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14696861
Welcome to FTE.
Looks like it is a late (year) made 77 NONE Highboy, would have a married NP-203 xfer case. And since it has a gas flap on the bed, like my late made 77.
Click on this link for some insp tips. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14696861
Welcome to FTE.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Owner said it wasn't a Highboy. My Main concerns are more with possible frame issues or something big like that. $3000 seems like a good price so I wonder if he just painted over the bad spots and they will show back up later? No way for me to know that without going to look at it.
I'm not going today cause of work and sleep. Said if he has it next weekend I would go check it out, but if he still has it next weekend then I'll wonder why no one else has bought it yet.
I'm not going today cause of work and sleep. Said if he has it next weekend I would go check it out, but if he still has it next weekend then I'll wonder why no one else has bought it yet.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 322
From: Central Florida
If this is a Georgia truck, there probably isn't a title. Georgia didn't start issuing titles until 1985. This makes the advice to check the VIN on the frame especially important.
All that's required in this state for pre '85 vehicles is a Bill of Sale. Thus, it will also be important for you to have the most recent registration paperwork. Check to see that the name on the registration is the same as the name/signature on the Bill of Sale and that you have confirmed the identity of the person signing that document. Take a digital picture of their Georgia drivers license.
All that's required in this state for pre '85 vehicles is a Bill of Sale. Thus, it will also be important for you to have the most recent registration paperwork. Check to see that the name on the registration is the same as the name/signature on the Bill of Sale and that you have confirmed the identity of the person signing that document. Take a digital picture of their Georgia drivers license.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 581
Likes: 7
From: IOWA
Well, here's my 'drive it home' story. Guy said it runs great, straight down the road, no issues, drive it home. It was 2 1/2 hours away so I took a trailer. Glad I did! His road ready truck had crap brakes, fuel line leak, carb fuel leak, trashed rear wheel bearing, exhaust leaks, and a broken speedo. Would have made it a few miles at least.
The price was right knowing it had problems and I still bought it, just a reminder that sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry.
The price was right knowing it had problems and I still bought it, just a reminder that sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FordBoypete
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
20
Feb 15, 2010 05:00 AM
150ford
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Sep 26, 2008 11:48 AM
hawkrod
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Feb 4, 2004 09:14 PM