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Hi everyone,
I replied to the craigslist ad for some more pictures and asked about the engine and the bed.
He wrote back but just gave me his phone number.
As all of you know much better what to ask for or talk about the facts and the points he mentiones.. Would anyone of you be so kind to give him a call and get some more information about the truck?
as the search is going on slow and hard I use the time to improve my knowledge.
Can a manual just be started with no gear in? All the videos I saw, the driver made sure to be out of gear and then fires up. Is it not enough or possible just to put your foot on the clutch pedal an then turn the key?
as the search is going on slow and hard I use the time to improve my knowledge.
Can a manual just be started with no gear in? All the videos I saw, the driver made sure to be out of gear and then fires up. Is it not enough or possible just to put your foot on the clutch pedal an then turn the key?
Best regards
Patrick
Yes, can be started either way. I like putting in the clutch especially when cold so the starter does not have the additional drag of turning the thick gear oil.
Ok, thanks for your answer.
Is "putting in the clutch" stepping on the pedal with gear in, or no gear in at least ? Not sure how to translate that correct, but must be step on the pedal when you avoid the additional drag, right ?
Ok, thanks for your answer.
Is "putting in the clutch" stepping on the pedal with gear in, or no gear in at least ? Not sure how to translate that correct, but must be step on the pedal when you avoid the additional drag, right ?
Unfortunately, I only see this..
Yes gear in or out using the clutch disengages the transmission so less drag.
Il sorry about the above. I looked at an 1976 F250 for you but rust and a sunroof I didn’t like. Plus price too high.
Il sorry about the above. I looked at an 1976 F250 for you but rust and a sunroof I didn’t like. Plus price too high.
Not for that. Thank YOU for your help and time take a look at it. Sunroof must be some sort of customization as it was never a factory option? So I go with you..
as the search is going on slow and hard I use the time to improve my knowledge.
Can a manual just be started with no gear in? All the videos I saw, the driver made sure to be out of gear and then fires up. Is it not enough or possible just to put your foot on the clutch pedal an then turn the key?
Best regards
Patrick
My 1979 can be started while in gear. It does not have the safety that newer cars have where you must push the clutch pedal down or have it in neutral to start it. I almost crushed a small car once when giving a jump start and I turned the key without being fully in my rig. My process is usually to leave it in gear and push the clutch pedal down before starting.
Patrick, since you needing a reliable rig to import, you might try shopping on Bring A Trailer, or locate a reputable classic vehicle dealership. Get one already restored and be way ahead of the plan. Now days Craigslist Ford truck shopping is a roll of the dice, Face Book Market place is a little better. But be aware, VERY aware that scammers are all over the place out there. That is why I recommend BAT or a classic car dealership. Yes it is going to cost more money, but your chances of not getting screwed over, are way better IMO.
If you do find one you like, do all the research on it. Post up a link to it here and WE will give it the detailed once over. And if you are still wanting it, time to come to the US and look it over in person. You can have 4 or 5 to look at, but to save you a possible heart ache and giant financial disaster, you need to travel to the trucks location personally.
Food for thought and just some opinions to consider.
1978/79 is the best IMO with front disk brakes, better steering set up, yes you can swap a 73-77 grill shell on one.
2wd are usually cheaper to maintain, get a little better gas mileage and are more common when shopping.
4wd is always nice to have when you need it, because you do not have to worry about getting stuck (as easy as a 2wd).
Manual transmission is nice, if you do not mind clutch shifting, it is a manual clutch NOT hydraulic assisted. Think about inner city traffic driving. Manual transmission truck can be roll started, if your battery is dead. Automatics can be expansive to get repaired.
Wanting a passenger side, bed side tool box is going to be more $ and harder to find. They really to not have that much storage space. Just get a in the bed "storage/tool box" or a cross bed box/tool box. Cheaper & easier. In bed https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...RoCnZgQAvD_BwE
The BRAKE lamp light in the instrument cluster has nothing to do with the emergency (parking) brake being on! Meaning, if you set the park brake, DO NOT LOOK FOR THE LIGHT TO COME ON LIKE NEW VEHICLES!
If you do find one, reach out to this forum and or the individual state chapter where it is at and see if some one can go look at it. I did a 1977 Ford truck inspection for a member one time, and saved that guy from making a 50K mistake. It happens, so shop wisely and carefully.
I see your point here, of course. Would be the more sensible, reasonable decision for sure. But as you said, prices are higher which means as a consequence to wait and save more money first.
Additionally not to forget the costs for shipping and import taxes which depend on the selling price itself. The higher the price, the more taxes.
So at least I would probably reach overall costs which are the same level as the US trucks that are already shipped to Germany and for sale here.
Another thought was, not to buy a fully restored high priced, as it will be a working truck, So it will get scratches probably, maybe little dents. It hurts if this happens to an restored expensive ride.
Third reason also was to work on the truck on my own. I have an office job but I really like the work with my own hands as a counterpart. Nothing more relaxing than having a beer and good music and working on old mechanic. So did I on my old motorcycle and it is just escaping of everydays stress. And if you work on something on your own you just get another bond to it.
These were the reasons to initially try to find one on my own. Or at least with some help and luck find some "barn" find which is not on CL, FB, etc..
I know it's hard and to a certain extent risky, but I hope you can think of the idea that is behind my plan.
But nevertheless thanks for your hints and your food, which gets me to a question:
How important/big is the difference between 2wd and 4wd?
Do you get stuck easily with the 2wd? Because of the low weight on the rear axle? Or can you easily drive in mud, snow, hills or in the woods and need no fear to get stuck?
Last thing I want is, that the only guy with a tough US pickup truck around here gets stuck, maybe even in his own garden (hillside, no space to run-up) and has to be rescued by some forrest ranger with a Lada, a Subaru oder a Suzuki Jimny,.. would need a cowboy hat big enough to disappear instant !
Patrick
Edit: I tried contacting a member in a state chapter one time, but got no answer unfortunately. His last post was some years ago so maybe he is not longer active here.
I understand the want of a truck and having to figure in the overall cost of adding in shipping overseas and the overseas import tax for sure. Problem is everyone here in the US is looking for the same deal you want and at least we are not overseas. So you have an extra hill to climb with shipping ect.
I also feel ya on wanting to do it all your own. Like stated in other threads, do you have the space, parking/storage garage area, personal life management of free time and tools to do it? That always have to be factored in, not having those things or waiting along time on repair parts to be shipped overseas, can kill a dream of fixing up your very own truck in a slow painful death.
To answer your questions: How important/big is the difference between 2wd and 4wd? It is a major difference to me if I am going to use the truck as a TRUCK, as in be out in the woods, haul fire wood, use it on a farm, off road it on weekends. Need to get around in a muddy field to put out hay in the winter time. So it really depends on the 99% of the time what you are going to be using the truck for and the conditions you are going to be driving it in. Factor in deep snow and bad ice and even a 4wd can get a challenge to get around.
Do you get stuck easily with the 2wd? Because of the low weight on the rear axle? Or can you easily drive in mud, snow, hills or in the woods and need no fear to get stuck? IMO 2wd can get stuck easily, if you do not know how to drive. I should know my 1st dent side at 16 was a 2wd 73, and yes I got it stuck....alot. Or if you do not pay attention to where you are driving. You can get a limited slip rear end, all terrain/mud tread tires and get along ok. On a 4wd the real only way to get the bottom of the front and rear axle differentials higher, is to put taller tires on it.
Last thing I want is, that the only guy with a tough US pickup truck around here gets stuck, maybe even in his own garden (hillside, no space to run-up) and has to be rescued by some forest ranger with a Lada, a Subaru oder a Suzuki Jimny,.. would need a cowboy hat big enough to disappear instant ! I am not sure what this means.
That possibility has to be factored in, so if you do get stuck, do you neighbors have a tractor or 4wd truck that has the ability to get you unstuck? Does your local town have a wrecker? 2wd is usually not to hard to get out, but you get a 4wd with some 31's or 33's (" tires) stuck in high lock 4wd. Or bogged down to the axles...You have a chore on your hands.
You can always get a winch on the bumper and self rescue...if you can find a anchor point. Hard to do out in the middle of a muddy field by your Kleingarten or Schrebergarten.
I lived in Germany for 3 years, I remember many a fun time out at my bosses garden platz on base. I do not remember much of Octoberfest...
Hi Patrick, as already stated on here, you are better off spending more money up front and getting a nice truck that somebody else has already dumped a pile of money into vs buying a fixer upper. Especially considering all the expenses with shipping to Germany and of course trying to source replacement parts after the fact. Even when in pristine condition, these trucks still need regular tinkering to keep them running at their best due to age and the nature of the beast so you will always have something that needs some wrenching.
If you are going to use this as a working truck and venture off pavement from time to time, I would definitely get a 4x4 plus the cool factor goes up considerably. A two wheel drive works just fine but as soon as you go off pavement (even wet grass....) traction can be an issue unless you have sufficient weight in the box over the rear axle.
I have had older Ford 4WD trucks (a rough looking 77 F150 ex logging company pickup and then a pristine 77 F250 Highboy) in the past and my present 78 F350 is a 2WD but I use it to haul my camper and have no intentions of taking it off pavement with the exception of the odd gravel road.
I like the Bring a Trailer website as they usually include a ton of pictures and detailed information about the trucks history. Prices seem to be reasonable for the trucks in nicer condition but some occasionally go for less than I would value the truck at. That being said, some go for way more than I would ever pay..... The pictures of the vehicle underside are what I pay attention to most as they give the best idea of actual truck condition overall.
Plenty of trucks look nice with a shiny newer paint job but the condition of the frame, suspension, axles, floor boards and cab corners underneath, as well as the seams along bottom edge of the doors tell a much better story of the trucks actual condition. New cab floors are fairly common and not a deal breaker if done properly but if the floors were rusted out, I would check the rest of the truck over carefully for additional rust. If the underside areas are all covered in fresh paint or undercoating, I view that with caution as it can hide a lot of rust or damage. Same with spray in bed liners. I prefer to see the original box interior condition, warts and all to assess overall condition of truck. Normal or minimal wear can indicate a pavement princess that had an easy life. A box that looks beat to crap indicates a work truck and odds are good that everything else is also worn as well.
As already stated, there are definitely occasional deals to be had out there on other sites like Marketplace and Craigslist but they sell quickly and you are competing with locals who are also watching for those deals. Usually the first person to show up with cash in hand takes those deals home.
Anyway, good luck with your search. Eventually the right deal will come along and patience will pay off in the end. Keep the questions coming!
@77&79F250:
You're absolutely right. No easy plan for sure. Maybe in the end, I come to the conclusion that it has to be the other way but first I thought to give it a try... maybe.. I'll be lucky.
Place and time are no problems. Some tools must be organized as I have everything in the metric system, as it is standard here.
I agree, it really often depends on the driver if you get stuck or not. But I summarize that the 4wd is the safer option when going offroad and use it as a truck.
The cowboy hat has to be big enough so that I can hide in it, cause it would be a shame. You know Suzuki Jimny or a Lada ?
No. not a neighbor nearby and there are not many options for a winch in the neighborhood as all the houses were just build the last few years and there are no big trees around for example.
So best way is to get it done on your own wheels
Nice, that happens to the best of us.. especially on Oktoberfest and stuff like that AND furthermore not being common with german beer.
@NM76F150:
Thanks for that offer to take a look at it. Would be awesome if it's no big deal for you. Does not look bad but has a few bigger dents unfortunately.
Do you have more information about it? If I get it right, it says "Rare high boy with the divorced diferential" but is a 150?
@Westcoast Highboy:
Hi, as mentioned before, maybe I have to change the plan and go that way. I can imagine that there are always some things to do.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the 4wd and 2wd. Gets me to the same conclusion as I said above. 4wd would be the option to go with.
I totally agree with you. Often the things you don't see on the first look are key. So is the underside and all the stuff there. It tells a lot about the condition and how the ride was treated or took care. All the other points you mentioned, too. How is the bed, something painted new, nothing hidden, etc.. These are the things to take a closer look at.
I also will go get some more visits on Bring a trailer. You never know..
Being the first showing up with cash is hard to manage.. ..but maybe I am the first here with some noob questions you never would've thought of
You know Suzuki Jimny or a Lada ?
..but maybe I am the first here with some noob questions you never would've thought of 