I have some great memories in a '78 F250 4x4 from high-school and now trying to figure-out what to get. Hoping you guys would be willing to clue me-in.

I used the search function to try and figure-out what the strongest engine or most recommended might be, etc etc, but it's clunky at best using search that way.

I've seen some early 80's Bullnose trucks that look OK as well but I get pulled back to ~78 as I start looking around. I'm looking at gassers but did see a nice '85 IDI 6.9 but don't think I want to putt around that slow.

If I were to spend $6K-$8K, what would be my best bet to look? My head is spinning. Have also thought about something that's in need of work for around $2K and spend the money to sort it a bit.

My uses:
- Weekly driving w/ some moderate hauling but no big trailering.
- Needs to be ok on the highway in the Rocky Mountains once in a while but mostly around town.

Any insights would be great!

 

For 6 -8K I would look for solid running truck with no rot. example http://www.2040-cars.com/_content/ca...392207/001.jpg

Get something that has not been molested by P.O. so you can fix up while keeping it on the road.

Need to decide what you really fancy - 4x4, supercab,short bed, etc. Are you good with F150 and inline six or do you want heavy duty and 360/390 (73-77) or /351/400(78-79) or maybe a 460. All have pluses and minuses, and all have terrible gas mileage. So take your pick.

 

Thank you, march! The one in the link looks very nice. Good to know I can find something like that...hopefully.

As long as it's 4x4 F250, the configuration is less important to me than the condition.

Really appreciate it.

 

So if your uses are what they are (stated above), why the 2nd statement about an F250? I am just curious, because wanting a F250 and needing a F250 can affect your chances to find a good truck. And you might miss out on a good F150, if you have F250 on the brain.

To me a NICE F150 should at least be considered, that way you have options. If you are shopping for a memory reminder, than F250 it all day long and try to find the same color of the one you had in high school. Nothing like color matched memory.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1979-Ford-F...NaXC5R&vxp=mtr

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1979-Ford-F...NaQUvP&vxp=mtr

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Ford-F...haXrCb&vxp=mtr

 

For six to 8 grand I would do what it takes to get the craigslist find of the week in my driveway.

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/...463300496.html

 

Nostalgia can be strong. That said, are you wanting to haul family, or just you and your significant? That will determine standard cab, super cab, or crew cab. Do you want to shift or would you rather just concentrate on the road? You want 4x4, but do you want part time or full time? What options would you like, such as cruise, Ranger, Explorer, Custom, dual batteries, tool box bed, ect. The 300, while a solid engine and able to tow, would not be my choice for the job. For the use you describe I would look for a 400, or a 351M that could be swapped out or upgraded to one. They have a bad reputation, but were damned from the beginning because of emissions requirements at the time. Bumping the compression a bit, a cam, 4 barrel intake, dual exhaust and you will have a capable vehicle. If you decide later that you want more, a 460 will mate up to the transmission of a 351M/400, with some different engine mounts and a few other parts.

A few things to think about.

 

I'd bet your example is twice the price of the 6-8k budget mentioned

 

Thanks Palm Rose - You're suggesting that I look for something that is a "blank slate" and start from near-scratch and sort it out?

The one in the link I thought was sold.

 

[QUOTE=77&79F250;17737563]So if your uses are what they are (stated above), why the 2nd statement about an F250? I am just curious, because wanting a F250 and needing a F250 can affect your chances to find a good truck. And you might miss out on a good F150, if you have F250 on the brain.

To me a NICE F150 should at least be considered, that way you have options. If you are shopping for a memory reminder, than F250 it all day long and try to find the same color of the one you had in high school. Nothing like color matched memory.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1979-Ford-F...NaXC5R&vxp=mtr

Ha! Great point! I am letting nostalgia around the F250 steer me there. The F150 you linked looks like a great option for me. I wish I kew more about the right price to pay for a great example like that but it looks great!

Has Ebay done anything about "sniping" in their bidding process? Not that it matters that much if I knew what my ABOLUTE highest price I'd pay would be...but it's the $0.01 cent over my price that is hard to take.

I have bought and sold many cars and motorcycles over the years and the 2 worst transactions were Ebay deals (bought a car 15 years ago that looked perfect and checked out mechanically but had dog smells inside that made it nearly un-driveable) and lost many because of "sniping" (last micro-second bids).