Folks,
Not sure if this is a 76 or 77? It has many issues, but one thing that it does seem to have going for it is minimal rust in the body panels. I crawled around under it and I see oil from just about every low spot.
Interested in your observations and comments, I don't own this truck! At least not yet. The owner wants $6k for it. Says it runs and moves. My guess is you would need to put another $10k with that to make a good driver. And $20K for a VERY nice refurbished truck.
I believe its a 360, has 4 speed trans. Interior needs a lot of TLC like to whole truck.



The patches are dents that were filled in and never painted, Sure doesn't look very good!








Underside:


Sorry not a good picture of the transfer case:




These wheels and tires all around:


Engine bay:






Comments always welcome!
Do I need another project?=NO,
Does the wife think I need another project?= NO!
Do I want another money and time pit? Some days!
I do know that in 76 I wanted one of these so bad I could taste it! With a straight 6 they were about this same price.

Regards,
Chris

 

Price seems a bit high. Friend bought a 78 4x4 long bed in Elmira, NY last year for around $8000, with a lot better looking body on it. And it's a driver.

 

$6k is a bit steep but it looks like a pretty good project truck. If you can haggle id say see how low you can get him but be prepared to walk away

 

IMO 6K is a little high, well a lot high for what it is. Worth about a 1500 to 2500 in the rusty midwest. Maybe in PA it is a good deal I believe you are in the hard rust belt up that way? I see a Highboy, 203 splash lube xfer case, low pinion front axle, notorious reputation follows that ram assist steering set up as being a leaking, no working so well design.

At least it has front disk brakes. Good luck with your decision.

 

That yolk on the rear end, and that drive shaft look very questionable. It appears that that yolk has been taken from the trans end and stuck on the rear?

 

It's too bad you're on the other side of the country. There's a SWB F-150 4x4 on my local FB marketplace that the owner says "needs lots of help", that looks decent in the pics, and they only want $1800. I, like many others on here would be buried in dentsides if we had the money to round up all our finds. Good luck to you on your search for a solid project.

 

Guys,
Thanks for your price suggestions and truck evaluations too.
The first look at this is bad those blotches of unpainted bondo, Makes it look really sick. On the good side I only found one area on the truck that had rust/ rot. Under the battery box where the acid had got to it. The cab corners floors and bottoms of the doors look rust free.
It has many needs.Bed has surface rust and the hood has the original paint gone and has surface rust. He said he might have a new grill surround, and grill, also has a replacement front windshield and rubber. This one is broken. It has dents and dings in almost all the panels, except the doors looked straight.
The owner did say that there was a problem with the rear yoke, he has tack welded on that yoke to keep the bearing in at least one side of it.
Seems like the truck would be a good value at about half what he is asking.
I may go look it over with a friend that is more into these than I am.

A guy stopped while I was ready to leave and he said he bought one for $1800 but did not have a bed and he had to get another cab. So he put a lot of work into his truck that he bought for less money.
The no rust part is a big factor on something like this project. The body work is doable, and I can do some rust repairs, but it takes a lot of skills and time and its very hard to get ahead or the rust long term.

Thanks again for checking on me and I do value your opinions. Off to work on my tractor project for the day. Maybe take my mind off of this beast! BTW, I can hardly get up in this Highboy! Guess I am not a kid anymore!
Regards,
Chris

 

Folks,
I have been lurking and reading and checking craigslist a lot. I find some 50 thru 80's trucks within 200 miles of me for less money (than the one shown above) but most are rusted or have been built from several trucks. It think the truck above still is in the area, I did not make a offer as my current funds are limited to the orange tractor projects that I am into! Still may be interested in a old Ford truck at some point in my life? Currently living my FORD truck fantasy through your great threads! The FTE site really helps me understand the amount of work required to build everything from a driver to a custom truck. Lots of WORK and dollars in these projects!
Merry Christmas to all the FTE Folks. And thanks for checking in on me!
Regards,
Chris

 

Even for my area of rusty Ohio 6k is steep for that truck. 6k should still get you a daily driver with decent paint in my opinion. Prices keep going up. It's hard to get used to. We all used to see trucks like that sell for 2500. Then we see posts of guys getting nice trucks for cheap out west. Bring those trucks to midwest and you could ask twice as much. Maybe that's what the seller was thinking...

 

Chris, still see lots of decent ones down here in Virginia. Best of luck on your project.

 

 

What I did not read in your post is what you are looking for... as far as a '70s dentside Ford pickup is concerned.
What are your must haves?
What are you would like haves (but could live without) ?

I think this would be an impulse buy.
Wait and shop, invest some time watching and looking determine at least what you cannot live without.
For me I had to have 4x4 and no trim, made making my decision on what and how much easy.

 

I went through this last year. I spent about 9 months shopping, shopping, shopping for my truck.

Do yourself a favor and search craiglist with the maximum search radius and include all nearby areas. You might not want to go look at one that far, but it will give you an idea of what the prices are and what you'll get. You can also search ebay to get some ideas on pricing.

Make a list of your must haves. Mine was no rust on the cab, factory AC, and automatic. Pluses for me were a recently rebuilt engine or transmission (with all paperwork).

You are far better off spending a little more for something in better shape. It will cost you a lot more than you think for all the little things.

Look for someone who got in over their heads and can't complete their project. I saw many rust free trucks that the owners had taken apart for paint or a rebuild, etc. that fell on hard times in the middle of it and needed to sell.

Don't be afriad to get something far away if the condition and price are right. Even if it doesn't run, shipping is relatively cheap.

 

Mr Anderson,
Thanks so much for the P.M.!
Regards,
Chris

 

Example: here is one not too far from you that looks sharp and from the ad seems to have been gone through pretty good. Yes, it is more than the other, but the difference is well worth it (probably).

https://york.craigslist.org/cto/d/19...741563917.html