There is a '76 F-150 at our farm that has been sitting for close to 30 years. It is 4x4 with a 300 6, needs floor boards, maybe rockers, and has no bed. I would like to get/build a F-250, but am pretty sure it would be better to start with a nicer F-250 than mess with this truck.

 

Your thoughts are correct. Wait for what you really want in the F-250. Part out the F-150 then haul the carcass to the scrap yard and put the proceeds from it in the F-250 fund. Looks like you are from PA. Consider paying to have a truck shipped in from a dry arid climate to get a solid body and avoid fighting rusty bolts at every turn.

 

Its all about your skill levels and how much money and time you have to put into it. The good thing about finding an F250 in nicer shape is the ability to use the 76 F150 that you have already for parts as many parts are non specific to F100-350s from 73-79. That is if the truck you currently have is if no sentimental value to you or anyone else and you can dismantle it to use for parts. Check your funds and your 2-5 year plans before you start a build because let me tell you...these parts are cheap for these trucks and readily available but build in a budget of 2500 or more for parts and things unexpected or unseen. Trust me, what looks like a nice truck could be full of pesky electrical problems, new brakes systems, full engine rebuilds, tranny issues, cab rot issues, etc that add up fast. Plus these are labors of love and your time so if you have the space to use and leave something apart for an extended period of time go for it. None of this is meant to discourage you just making sure this doesn't turn into a good intentions thing and end up frustrating and losing your money and time. Good luck

 

Yeah I been looking at some of the local places that specialize in the western trucks as I know how much these can be rust buckets locally. That's the main reason this one got parked, it had all but rusted away by 1983, got regulated to Farm only duty for a few years until the brake lines rusted and parked. For all I know the engine is stuck, who knows how good the frame is, etc...Not even worth messing with was my thoughts other than some parts.
Thanks,
Jon

 

I had a 1975 F100 4x4 transported by carrier from Oklahoma to NJ a year and a half ago. It was $1,000 to have shipped and the truck has almost no rust. My 66 F100 was born and raised in NJ (it lost a lot of metal over 50 years) 7 years into the rebuild, much more than $1,000 in time and parts and I should finally get paint on it next spring or summer if all goes well. As GeenBean stated, not to discourage a restoration, but go into it (if you decide) with all he posted in mind.