Hello, I've found a 1970 4x4 short bed a guy has for sale and have some questions. There's some strange metal on the sides of the frame that the bed is set on. Like a body lift maybe. Does it look like anything to be concerned about? It's got power steering also. I've read this is not original, is that true? Body is shot, what kind of price would be fair for the chassis? Looks like everything there but truck has been sitting for probably 30 years.

Phone isn't letting me post pics. Will get later

 

Once you post pictures we will be able to give you better advice.

 

No power steering factory installed on a 1970 4x4.

 

 

RUN, RUN from this one as it looks like it has a frame problem that the plate was to fix it. Offer $100, and then strip it and put it on a frame machine, and get the supposed problem fixed by proper welding. It will be $$$$.

 

I am not as worried about the metal. What is the price for this truck? If it is $500 or under with a clean title I would go for it. The frame doesn't look like is is damaged from those pictures.

 

Looks like to me they were "filling the gap" that was made when the body lift was installed. If those plates aren't really welded to the frame in a structural fashion, that would be my guess .If the frame is solid and he has a title that is clear, I would think it would be worth $500 for sure. But that is my opinion . All depends on how bad you want a shortbed 4x4 truck I suppose . Not a lot of them out there thats for sure.

 

As said before, if under $500 with a good title, i'd go for it. The axles are worth more than that if they're any good.

 

Consensus is go for it if you have title in hand for $500 or less.

 

i mean, i'm looking at a highboy right now that i just found on Craigslist. It's barely even a cab and frame without a title and i'm looking at giving $250 if the guy will respond. It doesn't have an engine, transmission, bed, or grille, and that's just what i can see. For $500, you can easily part it out and make a good bit of money if worst comes to worst. Just my $0.02.

 

Definitely something weird going on with that frame, but not sure that the plate was for fixing a frame problem. I'd be more inclined to think it was part of some odd home made body lift. Be nice to see a couple of pictures of the whole truck from different angles.

If I could find that near me for $500 or less I'd get it for spare parts for my 68 F-100 4x4. Need to replace my front coil buckets on the frame (If I can find some), those and the spare axles would be enough parts to justify the purchase.

 

I would buy it no problem. That is not a frame issue, that's what happens when you try to put a wide bolt pattern 2wd bed on a narrow highboy frame.

 

There's no pic of the bed, so we don't know what it's from. All 1967/72's use the same Styleside beds, because all have the same 33 1/2" width between the inner frame rails behind the cab.

If the bed is from a 1973/79, that's a different story. F100/150 2WD/4WD & F250 2WD have 37 1/2" width rear frame rails, as did 1977/79 F250 4WD that were not High Boys.

1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) have 33 1/2" frame rails.

 

Thanks for the input guys. He's wanting $900 for it. I'm a bit concerned about the power steering and the bed issues. Could it be that someone has put it on a 73+ frame?
Here's a better picture.​​​​​​​

 

That is a rusted out p.o.s. Run away from it, save your money for something better. One lesson I have learned is that a cheap initial price sounds good but you'll likely spend ten times more getting it put back into shape versus spending a little more for a good truck that doesn't need total restoration.