So this is likely somewhat pointless as winter is coming and bodywork is far off. But, its cold and I have time to dream. I have a 77 f250 4x4 freewheeling package I bought from the original owner. It was the silver with black accents and the orange, yellow stripes and the grey and black accents inside. It sat in a field baking in the missouri sun and freezing in the snow the past 20 years with minimal use pulling a gooseneck around his farm. If you know the silver trucks, they didn't seem to hold up as well as other colors, so it is now rust brown all over with no paint present and perfect yellow stripes down the side. It is pretty original, although the front axle was swapped for a 78 disc as it is an original highboy, 203 divorced with part time kit and power steering ram removed. It is so correct that I question if I should keep it rusty, update the internals and interior or just go for the repaint and give up the freewheeling package( if I'm going to the trouble to repaint the 70s groovy paint scheme seems a little over the top). Any thoughts on this? (Sorry for the overly long, rambling post. and before I am flamed for no pics, I will work on getting some posted!). James

 

You’re going to get all kinds of replies from complete resto, to running and driving and preservation. I don’t think any of these truck’s are truly worth the money it really takes to make one 100% again. It’s all dependent on what you want out of the truck. I think the most sensible thing with a project you have, is to get it running and driving first. Assess what is good, what isn’t so good and go from there. Mechanical first, cosmetics last. That being said I think the free wheelers are just absolutely cool so I’d love to see it back original. Post some pictures, it’s probably cool as is.

 

Here she is getting a little use as a photo backdrop management device!

 

Nice set up, and an OEM push bar. You want a matching light bar for the bed? Lol X2 on get it 110 % mechanically sound. Start, steer, shift, stop. Fuel tanks clean or replaced, fuel lines, brake lines, brakes, electricial, glass.... then interior.

Then any upgrades off this list:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14955940
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14955960

Then see about a solid one color repaint. By then you will have had it long enough to figure it out. Good to see a future FTE'er in there with you throwing up a wave already.

 

Great truck however is that a free-wheeling truck or a regular trim level truck with the decal package?

BTW I would not paint it - too expensive for a fair job.

 

It appears to be the full package with push bar, black bumpers and grill inserts, black and gray seat with pinstriping, orange/red dash inset and silver with the decals. The only thing silver is the tailgate that has been off and upside down on the ground, in the mud which seemed to protect the paint. Rich, this one was from Ash Grove most of its life, so closer to you.

 

That's a really cool truck. I'd get it mechanically sound and enjoy it. If the spirit moves you to paint it later, so be it.

 

I would get a Marti Report on it first before starting any exterior work/paint...The "true" freewheeling package trucks and bronco's are crazy high in prices right now! The Marti would confirm how rare your truck is and that would be "my" deciding factor as to what to do with the resto job!
But, for me, I love the current look. And you "might" be surprised what some light wet sanding 3000 grit would do for the existing original paint. I would suggest picking a spot on the truck (like the roof) and give it a try to see if you can bring back some of the paint!?

They are only original once, so I would try to save the original paint if it was me.

Here is the Marti Report link for ya:
https://www.martiauto.com/martireports.cfm

FYI-- it would appear to me that the side mirrors have been replaced with chrome vs black. All the "true" FW packages on the trucks and bronco's that had the black front and rear bumpers also came with the black side mirrors, The Marti Report would confirm all the order options for your truck!!

 

Probably another one I either missed out on, or passed up. Nice save.

 

In unison with the others I'd focus on mechanicals and even fix up the interior. By then your mind will be made up about painting.

Excellent suggestion by scott79 to get a Marti report. I'd get the deluxe report for $46. A 77 highboy with FW package has to be very rare.

My truck will NEVER be painted as long as I own it. I wipe it down with WD40 every so often. Surface rust but no rot. The roof top has zero paint left and the hood has large areas on each side with no paint. I certainly don't berate anyone for going all out with a new paint job and in many instances there is no option and I do appreciate looking at nice paint job as I know what goes into it. I personally have run the gamut with restoring vehicles and making them shiny and nice and then I am afraid to drive them like they should be driven. NO MORE!!! One drawback is there are many peeps out there that look at it and think "don't park that thing beside me what a rusty POS" but I am more than willing to deal with that.

 

Nice truck! Those yellow stripes are faded out. There used to be some yellow and orange, plus red and black. The base must be yellow, with the other colors printed on there.
I think the decals are reproduced, but probably are expensive. If that were my truck, I would want to repaint it the silver, and I would probably think about painting on the stripes myself, with some rattle cans, which would be a LOT of work.

I'd like to to the Free Wheeling pinstripe scheme on mine.

 

Docj make sure and ck your PM in box and or your visitor messages. Click on the USER CP on the upper top blue line, far left side to get there.

 

One of the things not asked is
Who will be doing all the work including repaint if it comes to that?
If you have the time, place and skills then I say rebuild it.
You can repaint with out the stripes if no one makes them.
That's what I did with my 81 flare side, repaint factory colors just no decals and think it looks great and yes I did all the work over 4 years cab off frame rebuild.
Dave ----

 

My vote would be to leave the paint as is

 

I will do all the work at home. The joy is doing the work yourself and learning the process. I have a "shop" if you can call the poorly built, un insulated and un comfortable building i have, that. But its better than out in the elements as i had been for so long. This would hopefully be something for my kids and I to work on after the bronco is done, and for my son to drive when he is old enough. That likely will effect the decision years from now, unless I can teach him to love the retro rusty the way she is!