Hello from Germany
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 830
Likes: 39
From: Whittier
If you find one here in the U.S., you should look at trucks from the west coast because there is usually less rust, maybe someone from this site can go look at it for you. Fly over here, buy it and load it with spare parts and ship it back home.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 990
Likes: 109
From: Dallas, OR
If you really want a F250, but don't like the quirks of the highboys and don't like the look of the 78-79- it is possible to swap grilles from a 73-77 onto the 78-79. I haven't done it myself, but the process doesn't look terribly difficult to do. Access to parts might be the difficult part for you, making sure to get all the small pieces and whether it is worth the shipping. Just another option to consider. Check out this link: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...rill-swap.html
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 458
Likes: 123
From: Arkansas
Hi,
I found that (official?) Ford brochure and thought I got all the weights things right..
Page 11, Regular Cab, 8ft bed, F150 for example:
Deisred payload: 2245 lbs , what is something about 1000kg
https://www.xr793.com/wp-content/upl...rd-Pickups.pdf
Do I have a false interpretation of "Desired payload" ?
I found that (official?) Ford brochure and thought I got all the weights things right..
Page 11, Regular Cab, 8ft bed, F150 for example:
Deisred payload: 2245 lbs , what is something about 1000kg
https://www.xr793.com/wp-content/upl...rd-Pickups.pdf
Do I have a false interpretation of "Desired payload" ?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 244
Likes: 81
From: Germany, Bavaria
Hi,
would be really nice to get some help from the members here when things are getting serious. Especially because I want one that's as stock/original as possible. Or at least with the right spare parts. That's because of the german "Oldtimer" issue. I for sure will need some expert help here.
Even if the F150 can carry the desired load, maybe I should go deeper in the '78 & '79 dent. Could be an option though, if it is as easy to work on and does not have more modern or electric features than the ones before. You remember: As less beeps and signals and electric stuff as possible.
Shipping or getting parts at all will be the most interesting part for me, indeed
Thanks so far
Patrick
would be really nice to get some help from the members here when things are getting serious. Especially because I want one that's as stock/original as possible. Or at least with the right spare parts. That's because of the german "Oldtimer" issue. I for sure will need some expert help here.
Even if the F150 can carry the desired load, maybe I should go deeper in the '78 & '79 dent. Could be an option though, if it is as easy to work on and does not have more modern or electric features than the ones before. You remember: As less beeps and signals and electric stuff as possible.
Shipping or getting parts at all will be the most interesting part for me, indeed
Thanks so far
Patrick
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 643
Likes: 388
From: Montana
I don't know if he has a username here, but you might try contacting Simrokkz over at fullsizebronco.com. He has done what you are talking about in the last few years with a 2nd gen Bronco. He would probably have insight into shipping, complying with your version of antique registration and other things. I know he had issues I wouldn't have expected like needing wheels with some rating or certificate paperwork or something that we don't require over here so aren't easy to get. This is his build thread https://www.fullsizebronco.com/threa...-steps.509746/ I tried to see if he had the same username here, but he doesn't appear to.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 244
Likes: 81
From: Germany, Bavaria
Hi,
that's interesting. Thanks for that hint and for checking out.
Yes, in Germany we have some more regulation what is allowed on vehicles.
Due to that, the question regarding the rims, and as a consequence the options of certificated tires, seems important to me. We cannot install every tire on any rim.
In concrete words: 5 lug will most likely bring more options than 8 lug will, I would guess.
So in the best case, I can get some original, coeval rims size , that are german certificated tires available for.
that's interesting. Thanks for that hint and for checking out.
Yes, in Germany we have some more regulation what is allowed on vehicles.
Due to that, the question regarding the rims, and as a consequence the options of certificated tires, seems important to me. We cannot install every tire on any rim.
In concrete words: 5 lug will most likely bring more options than 8 lug will, I would guess.
So in the best case, I can get some original, coeval rims size , that are german certificated tires available for.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 244
Likes: 81
From: Germany, Bavaria
Hi folks,
hope everyone is doing fine.
One question to the rear window. In general I like the idea of driving around in summer with the rear window open just right behind you. But 2 things made me think about it closer:
1. I read about problems with water leaking in. That seems to be a chance of 50:50. Some have problems, others not. So the safer way would be a solid one. Especially for me with my situation getting spare parts.
2. Seems that a slider is not really lockable? There's just something like a hook? Hard for me to guess, if this is safe or it it's easy to open it from the outside? Again, safer way here, the solid one I guess?
Greetz
Patrick
hope everyone is doing fine.
One question to the rear window. In general I like the idea of driving around in summer with the rear window open just right behind you. But 2 things made me think about it closer:
1. I read about problems with water leaking in. That seems to be a chance of 50:50. Some have problems, others not. So the safer way would be a solid one. Especially for me with my situation getting spare parts.
2. Seems that a slider is not really lockable? There's just something like a hook? Hard for me to guess, if this is safe or it it's easy to open it from the outside? Again, safer way here, the solid one I guess?
Greetz
Patrick
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 500
From: Kenai
You can find a metal latch. The plastic ones break way too easy. To really defeat the opening of the slider from the outside, a couple wooden dowel rods laid in the inside track will work.
C.R. LAURENCE DVL2 CRL Replacement Metal Backslider Latch
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 333
Likes: 219
From: British Columbia
My truck has the factory sliding rear glass and is latched with a metal clasp which is very sturdy. A person could potentially break in by jamming a screw driver in there but they could also just throw a rock through the window if they wanted to break in that badly so I wouldn't worry about that.
As for leaks, my rear slider leaks around the dry rotted outer rubber seal, exactly the same as previous old Fords I owned that had the solid glass rear window. I've got a new rear window seal to install once the weather warms up sufficiently and that should solve the leaking problem. Nothing beats cruising down a country road in the summer with the rear slider open. Plus its much easier to toss your empty beer cans in the box with a slider ( just kidding, maybe.... )
As for leaks, my rear slider leaks around the dry rotted outer rubber seal, exactly the same as previous old Fords I owned that had the solid glass rear window. I've got a new rear window seal to install once the weather warms up sufficiently and that should solve the leaking problem. Nothing beats cruising down a country road in the summer with the rear slider open. Plus its much easier to toss your empty beer cans in the box with a slider ( just kidding, maybe.... )
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 244
Likes: 81
From: Germany, Bavaria
Hi,
thanks for your replies.
Getting rid of the beer cans .. that's definitly a plus I hadn't thought about.. !
I really like the idea of an open rear window, but the more I look at some pictures, the more I brood which look i prefer. The solid rear window seems a bit more classy and clean..
Maybe it depends, how the truck looks like in general , the style.
Best regards
Patrick
thanks for your replies.
Getting rid of the beer cans .. that's definitly a plus I hadn't thought about.. !
I really like the idea of an open rear window, but the more I look at some pictures, the more I brood which look i prefer. The solid rear window seems a bit more classy and clean..
Maybe it depends, how the truck looks like in general , the style.
Best regards
Patrick
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 47
Likes: 13
From: WI
Hi,
thanks for your replies.
Getting rid of the beer cans .. that's definitly a plus I hadn't thought about.. !
I really like the idea of an open rear window, but the more I look at some pictures, the more I brood which look i prefer. The solid rear window seems a bit more classy and clean..
Maybe it depends, how the truck looks like in general , the style.
Best regards
Patrick
thanks for your replies.
Getting rid of the beer cans .. that's definitly a plus I hadn't thought about.. !
I really like the idea of an open rear window, but the more I look at some pictures, the more I brood which look i prefer. The solid rear window seems a bit more classy and clean..
Maybe it depends, how the truck looks like in general , the style.
Best regards
Patrick
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 244
Likes: 81
From: Germany, Bavaria
Hi folks,
job and house projects kept me busy the last weeks. Time to get back to hobby things..
A few days ago I visited George (MrGGermany). Could take a close look at a dentside for the first time, ask some questions and the best part.. drive it! (Thanks again George) It was awesome. Much much better than I expected. Just neat. Great feeling and flair..
George also told me that heat is a thing in the cab, so I think the sliding window would be a nice feature.
Another point now is the transmission. I thought manual shifting would be the right thing when driving an old truck, but as George's is automatic and that really was great to drive, I should not exclude that as an option. And the clean cab floor was nice too.
I hoped there were some information about pros and cons, recommendations regarding auto or manual, but maybe I just didn*t find it.
Can anybody help me here?
Buzzwords: Variations, driving smoothness durability, maintenance, towing/loading, 4wd ?
Have a nice day everyone,
Patrick
job and house projects kept me busy the last weeks. Time to get back to hobby things..
A few days ago I visited George (MrGGermany). Could take a close look at a dentside for the first time, ask some questions and the best part.. drive it! (Thanks again George) It was awesome. Much much better than I expected. Just neat. Great feeling and flair..
George also told me that heat is a thing in the cab, so I think the sliding window would be a nice feature.
Another point now is the transmission. I thought manual shifting would be the right thing when driving an old truck, but as George's is automatic and that really was great to drive, I should not exclude that as an option. And the clean cab floor was nice too.
I hoped there were some information about pros and cons, recommendations regarding auto or manual, but maybe I just didn*t find it.
Can anybody help me here?
Buzzwords: Variations, driving smoothness durability, maintenance, towing/loading, 4wd ?
Have a nice day everyone,
Patrick
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 333
Likes: 219
From: British Columbia
I have owned both. Had a 77 F150 4x4 with 351m and 4 speed. It was rough looking as I bought it from a logging company (I think the right side door and front fender were the only straight panels on the truck) and I personally prefer the 4 speed transmission as I enjoy driving standard transmissions.
That being said, my previous 77 F250 Highboy and my present F350 Camper Special was/are both C6 automatic transmissions behind 460 cubic inch motors.(Highboy was originally a 400 but had a Lincoln 460 swapped in) which I also thoroughly enjoy driving. The automatic is certainly easier when trying to drive while holding my coffee cup 😜
I’ve always found these old trucks a bit sluggish with an automatic but when powered by a 460, they get up and go. It comes down to personal preference. I would focus on finding the nicest truck you can regardless of whether it is manual or automatic, I’m sure you will enjoy it either way!
That being said, my previous 77 F250 Highboy and my present F350 Camper Special was/are both C6 automatic transmissions behind 460 cubic inch motors.(Highboy was originally a 400 but had a Lincoln 460 swapped in) which I also thoroughly enjoy driving. The automatic is certainly easier when trying to drive while holding my coffee cup 😜
I’ve always found these old trucks a bit sluggish with an automatic but when powered by a 460, they get up and go. It comes down to personal preference. I would focus on finding the nicest truck you can regardless of whether it is manual or automatic, I’m sure you will enjoy it either way!
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 458
Likes: 123
From: Arkansas
I have owned both. Had a 77 F150 4x4 with 351m and 4 speed. It was rough looking as I bought it from a logging company (I think the right side door and front fender were the only straight panels on the truck) and I personally prefer the 4 speed transmission as I enjoy driving standard transmissions.
That being said, my previous 77 F250 Highboy and my present F350 Camper Special was/are both C6 automatic transmissions behind 460 cubic inch motors.(Highboy was originally a 400 but had a Lincoln 460 swapped in) which I also thoroughly enjoy driving. The automatic is certainly easier when trying to drive while holding my coffee cup 😜
I’ve always found these old trucks a bit sluggish with an automatic but when powered by a 460, they get up and go. It comes down to personal preference. I would focus on finding the nicest truck you can regardless of whether it is manual or automatic, I’m sure you will enjoy it either way!
That being said, my previous 77 F250 Highboy and my present F350 Camper Special was/are both C6 automatic transmissions behind 460 cubic inch motors.(Highboy was originally a 400 but had a Lincoln 460 swapped in) which I also thoroughly enjoy driving. The automatic is certainly easier when trying to drive while holding my coffee cup 😜
I’ve always found these old trucks a bit sluggish with an automatic but when powered by a 460, they get up and go. It comes down to personal preference. I would focus on finding the nicest truck you can regardless of whether it is manual or automatic, I’m sure you will enjoy it either way!