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If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is that I imagine it spent the better part of it's life next to, near or in the sea. The pacific to be specific.
It's a 1990 Ford F-250 XLT Lariat 7.5L 4X4, Automatic Transmission.
I picked it up for $1500 and drove it 50 miles home.
To be honest I'm not totally positive about anything else but feel free to ask.
The paint appears to have been applied with a 3/8" nap roller. Everything rubber on it is toast save some of the tires. When I got it, virtually none of the electronic accessories functioned. I have since repaired
Headlights
Headlights Switch
Wipers
Wiper Switch
Radio (Priorities people!)
Left to repair:
Power Windows
Interior Lights
Horn
Bed Light
Towing Controller
Aux Lights
Cruise Control
The other things I can't remember right now
The tires installed are 33X12 R16.5 which is roughly a 305/170-16. Stock size is 235/85R16. That roughly equates to a 1-3/8 of lift just from the radius of the tire.
It also equates to the tire rubbing on the leaf springs when you turn the wheel all the way in either direction.
Mechanically, if you ignore the fact that it needs 100% of the suspension replaced and darn near every bit of body needs some type of major repair and the leaks... yeah no, it's in great shape!
Engine runs strong. No real issues there. Though, I could use a bit better gas mileage.... Come on guys stop laughing...
The transmission leaks. Enough to smoke after you get it hot. Half a quart every couple of weeks.
Oil pan leaks. Enough to make a mess in your driveway. Bout half a quart every couple of weeks.
The 4X4 linkage needs some love but I was most surprised to find out that it actually shifted pretty well considering.
And the 4X4 is strong! I've already pulled a tractor out of some mud and up a hill. Didn't even really give it any gas, it just pulled it up!
I want to change all the diff fluid and transfer case oil. Not sure what to use yet. (0% researched)
The intermediate steering column is screwed. There's A LOT of play in the steering wheel (almost 60 degrees). I've bought a new one but I haven't installed it yet. The factory ones just don't exist any more so it's one of those cut to length ones.
Rust. Did I mention the rust? I'm not sure there's a component with iron in it that isn't rusted.
The hitch is rusted solid. I couldn't remove the ball mount pulling on it w/ the truck against a tree.
The frame and most of the hangers seem to be ok-ish.
The sway bars have lost ~0.3mm of diameter (the powder coat I think).
The cab is toast. The bed might be salvageable.
This is the first weekend in a while I've been able to work on it. I still can't decide what I want it to be. I really like it. I like what it could be too. But I also wonder if it's worth it to put all the work that's needed into this rust bucket.
Keep it as a beater?
Fix it up?
Other questions to follow.
It's a truck.
It's purpose in life is to do work for you. When you need it.
Sounds like it's already performing it's job.
Does the rust really matter? Probably not, if it can do the work.
Does it matter that it leaks/burns fluids? Really, buying a couple cans oil/fluid every couple months is a lot cheaper than trans or engine rebuilds.
Does it start when you want it to? Sounds like it. That's kinda important to doing it's job.
Some things that seem important, really aren't.
Some things seem like too expensive and trouble to repair really aren't. For example these trucks are computer run. But what happens when the computer gets a bug? Mine was $80 reman computer that took about half hour to replace, then the world was right again.
Just my thoughts.
Its not pointless if it entertains you. A lot cheaper than many other hobbies. There are two schools of thought when maintaining a vehicle, the by-the-books camp and then the duct tape and bailing wire camp.
At some point its not worth trying to make a vehicle right, rather just keep it going and working hard.
Its not pointless if it entertains you. A lot cheaper than many other hobbies. There are two schools of thought when maintaining a vehicle, the by-the-books camp and then the duct tape and bailing wire camp.
At some point its not worth trying to make a vehicle right, rather just keep it going and working hard.
I definitely agree.
My current goal is just to get my wife to find riding in the truck bearable! She hates it so far. Of course, last time we rode in it together I left the cab window open and the back was full of leaves. She got covered with leaves pretty quick...
Getting that ball mount off will be virtually impossible without a cutting torch to heat it up. The rust bond is incredibly strong with tight iron like that. Get the whole outside of the receiver starting to turn red, if you see rust popping off/paint on fire you are doing good. Ideally you will have that rear bumper off to keep the scorch marks down! Keep a fire extinguisher handy and don't hit anything with a beater that's been heated or you'll bend it and then you're screwed.
Getting that ball mount off will be virtually impossible without a cutting torch to heat it up. The rust bond is incredibly strong with tight iron like that. Get the whole outside of the receiver starting to turn red, if you see rust popping off/paint on fire you are doing good. Ideally you will have that rear bumper off to keep the scorch marks down! Keep a fire extinguisher handy and don't hit anything with a beater that's been heated or you'll bend it and then you're screwed.
I hope that works! I don't have a cutting torch but I do have a huge MAPP gas torch.
I think the hitch might come off. but the rear bumper needs to be adjusted anyway so either way.
I gotta get some photos of the rust but If you got more rust than me brother you've got some work ahead!
LOL! No need for work on mine. It is a garbage hauler and lumber yard runner and winter beater. I think one day I'll take a load of garbage to the dump and just leave it there.
The frame is actually generally ok. however most of the hangers and components attached to it are rusted out.
The Cab is the worst part. tons of holes. I doubt it would be worth salvaging. I'm on the hunt for a decent cab.
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