My latest budget build project is a 1990 F350 flatbed.

Truck was advertised on Craigslist for about $1600. Ad claimed it needed a new fuel pump. They took my offer of $1300 and I loaded it up.

Truck has a 7.3 IDI which I’m pretty sure has a T-19 in it now. It originally had an automatic trans.

I actually bought this truck about a year ago, I did a little work to it, got sidetracked with other problems, projects, side work, etc, worked on it again, let it sit, fixed a few more things, etc. I’m attempting to put it on the “front burner” now and finish it up. I’ll summarize what I’ve done already and post a couple of the pics I do have.

As advertised in the ad:





After some cleanup:

 

Long story short:

Installed a new lift pump, bled filter and lines and it finally started up. I noticed the fuel return lines leaking, so next it was replacing all the oil rings at the injectors. Fuel filter housing o-rings also replace. I took it for a spin down the road and started to realize this was the most poorly maintained truck I’ve bought in a long time. Everytime I took it for a test drive, a hose would start leaking, next a belt broke. I replaced hoses and belts and alternator.

I drove it around a few times and realized I was leaking coolant somewhere. I ended up pressurizing system to find leak, pulled the glow plugs and had water coming out. It was then I realized I had a bad head. (pressurizing the system with piston at TDC eliminated to me the possibility of the cylinder wall leaking) I pulled the head and found a crack:





Lesson learned (even though I already knew this, I did it anyways): best to buy a running vehicle unless it’s very cheap. Ha.

Found a head at local junkyard already pulled for $175. Installed the head and truck is on the road again.

I took about a 100 round trip with the truck, on the way back the stupid fuel filter starts leaking again. I made it home with diesel leaking all over the place with it smoking off the exhaust manifolds. I’m surprised the damm thing didn’t catch on fire. I replaced the POS two piece filter with the updated one piece filter and I’m back on the road. Now it’s on to bodywork and painting…

 

To catch up with the current progress: Unknown type of primer from pre owner was sanded off to bare metal and truck was sprayed with Nason epoxy primer. I’m currently working any dings and dents. BTW, if your doing bodywork, save yourself some work and skip the Bondo. I'm using Evercoat Rage and it is awesome and of course there are other good fillers on the market. They are easy sand and doesn't gum your sandpaper like Bondo does when you first start sanding. The bodywork areas, I usually clean up and shoot with epoxy primer. I’m getting close to shooting some primer surfacer.

 

nice project. what are your plans. flip, or toy hauler?

 

Thanks. I plan to drive it around for a while and see how it works out. If its dependable, I’ll drive it to work some and also use it for some side work.

 

good deal. a diesel flatbet is always good to have.
i wish my 04 was an oilburner, but the price was rite so i will live with the 5.4

 

Got a good project going on, Nice looking truck

 

Finally got to shoot some primer surfacer on. Hope to do some block sanding this weekend.

 

Update:

blocked primer, time for another coat

 

looking good!!!

 

After getting sidetracked again and after cold weather delays finally got to spray it.

 

I've got most of it together. Need to find some "F350" emblems for the side and windshield trim. Not sure yet on the wheels, whether to paint black or try to clean up the chrome simulator covers have some small dents.

 

looks good!!!

 

That truck looks great, love it. Got me thinking about the flat bed.

 

so old ford vehicle