I need your opinions on this, and I appreciate all thoughts and ideas from y'all. There is a '68 (I believe) F-100 Ranger (I think thats what I saw on the rear fenders) up the street that has been sitting for about 5 years in somebody's side yard. I'm in the FFA, and I need a shop project to complete my eligibility for the American FFA Degree. I was thinking that this truck would make a real nice project. My teacher and advisor said it would count as one, and he used to have one like it. I haven't looked at it close up yet, but I hope to over Christmas break, and if he's willing to part with it, I'll just roll it on down the street about 400 yards to my house It's blue on top and white on the bottom, chrome grille and bumper, so thats why I think it's a Ranger. It's a longbed 4x2 and it has some surface rust. I think its an ex-state truck. Overall it looks to be in good shape for its age, all windows intact, all tires and stuff. My question is, do you think it's a good project, and how much should I offer him for it?

 

If it is complete and non-running, $500 for it and a title.

 

I'd start lower than that... Never know.. Might get it for free. I did. I ask them if they want to sell it first, and then if yes, I ask how much they are looking for. Never know...If it's a junker, and the guy is tired of looking at it, he might let it go real cheap. Maybe even free if you get lucky. I got mine in this manner, and I got it free. I was prepared to pay 300-500$ though if needed. MK

 

Not having moved in five years --start with I'll give you a case of beer for the truck and work your way up from there. Our local paper has a F-100's ($150) listed this week that needs body work but runs. Granted I'm probably 1500 miles from dixieland.


What does FFA stand for?

 

If the guy is married see if you can deal with his wife. She may have a different opinion about it's value, sitting around the house 5 years and all. Just kidding sort of not really.

If they won't give you a price or their price seems too high, SHOW them the money that you are willing to pay for it. (If you have more than that don't let them see it.) If it's for sale or they're thinking about it, most people hate to see green money walking away, especially when they have SEEN it right in front of their eyes. Talking about money is not the same as being able to have it in your hand, right now. No checks.

Another old trick is to have the money you're willing to spend in one pocket and then some more in the other, back in the car or someplace else. Only use the second money if you're close, they will not budge and it's unlikely you will find a better deal. Only use this money grudgingly, pretend it's killing you even if it's not. You don't want them to think there is an unlimited supply of this backup money. Be patient, don't give up too soon. If the truck has been sitting this long it will probably sit a little while longer.

If they want too much there are other trucks. If the truck is good then pay what you have to pay. But if it's not, again, there are other trucks.

Good Luck.
Roger
(edit) Have to agree with blu. If you're really lucky the guy's wife likes beer.

 

Blu - city boy, eh?

FFA = Future Farmers of America

could also be Ford FE Addicted.....

 

Thats a good enough explanation for me.

Were you in FFA?

Thanks for the advice, I want to try to catch him when he is at home. I've already developed a plan of action if I do manage to get it. I'm thinking that I'll go to the bank, take out about $500, then leave $300 in the truck, and have $200 in my wallet at the time. If it works, I'll take an air tank up there, pump the tires up and then take my little Wizard tractor and pull it home here, (I don't want it to smack the back of my truck), then change the oil, and spark plugs, and see what's missing, maybe change the tranny fluid and rearend fluid, too. Then if at all possible, I'll try to crank it up. After I assess the mechanical condition, I'll start work on the aesthetics of it, I guess take the bed off, sand/sandblast it, get the surface rust off, prime it, then sand the cab and front fenders, and prime them too, then maybe make it road legal again, and just drive it a while, then save up the money to get it painted, get some chrome wheels, and a spray in bedliner as well as a new front bumper and grille.

 

No I wasn't in FFA, but I do live in Iowa, so I know about it. I have relatives who have been in it....

I'm a city boy as well, but my grandparents have a farm, so I have spent some time in my youth working on a farm.

 

I believe I'm gonna attempt this "deal" on Monday or Tuesday, since I'm on Christmas break now.

 

make sure the title is in the guys name and nobody elses is signed on there. if not i would not do it. i learned my lesson.it is not worth the time and money to get the title fixed.

 

I believe it is an ex-state fleet truck, the plate on the front says "North Carolina State Owned Vehicle", so what I think is when they retired this truck, he got it either free or cheap, and just sat it in his yard. It has the trailer towing mirrors, the tall and narrow type with the bracket attached above the window and below it as well. Like I said before, I have reason to believe it's a Ranger, but I haven't gotten close enough yet to tell.

 

I looked at it closer today and I believe its a '69.

 

I would just walk down there and present your case honestly. Tell them about you FFA project needs and you will have made the best deal you can right there in my opinion. If they ask $500 just say that you really only have $250 and that you know the truck is worth more. Then keep coming back avery few days with a little more money. Offer to do some yard work for them in exchange.
When I was in high school I had more old cars given to me than I could drag home, just for helping a neighbor. I got a 54 dodge Hemi convertable given to me for helping a neighbor castrate pigs.
I wish I would have made it back to pick up some of the ones I never got to, like the Hudson pickup. OOPS sorry for the rant. We all love these old pickups but the reality is there are a bunch of them left around and they can be had cheap or free. Even really nice original, low mile, garage kept ones seldom bring more than a few thousand dollars.

 

Thanks for the advice, keep your ideas coming.

I'm gonna wait until after Christmas, because I believe his family is staying there right now.

 

hey i just spent a butt load of money on the ffa, i got a bunch from there fruit sales.
does the guy have other ford trucks ? cause if he does it might be his parts truck. also i bet if you told him about the ffa thing you could walk er roll away with that truck for little or nothing. but make sure it isnt a full rust bucket, it might be more work then you are perpared to do, and that 500 dollars in your pocket is going to diasapper pretty damn fast