Hi Folks,

My question is kina specific so, excuse me for skipping the search. I've been looking for a 4x4 to play with and do some towing duties. The towing would be about 6,000lbs of car and trailer. Play time would consist of trails and minimal rock crawling.

What I found was a '78 F150 step side 4x4 with original axles 4inch suspension lift, 3" body lift, 429 out of a T'bird, 38" tires (almost bald). The motor was tight and the body fairly straight. Some dings in the hood and right at the seam of the driver door and fender. It needs Interior work, Tires, and a tune up. The seller will take 2k or 1750 and a set of ported 302 heads that I pulled of my mustang.

Dose this seem like a fair deal? I like the truck and would most likely be happy. However, This is the first used 4x4 I would be buying. The last one I got new.

Thanks for you time,
Bill

 

'78 F150 stepside 4X4 are pretty rare.
2,000 is about whats worth in that shape, have you haggled with him.
But if i got it I would put it back stock and restore it, but thats me.
is it a custom or ranger?

 

Tell him $1500 and the heads and drive it home.
That is if they are just E7TE factory heads.
Jimmy

 

I would try to give the guy $1500 and the heads. Will you drive the truck daily or will it be a toy/project? Also what I would do would do is completly do the body and chassis and get a new set of 38's.A big step side looks realy cool. Im in the process of doing the body on my F-150 and puting a 6 foot stepside bed on. Also is the truck a short bed?

 

The truck is a Short Bed. He did want 2500 for it. It dose have a new ring and pinon in the rear and new bushings all the way around. The truck is well used but he answered all my questions with out a thought and seemed honest. I don't trust the "I don't know about the cars history" claim. Especialy if they do their own work. He said he's driving it hard and done repairs. I don't want the 38's. Too much money and I don't think I would use them. I'm going to take out the body lift and put on 35x12x15's. The heads I'm giving him came off of an '85 Mustang GT. They are ported with Crane valve springs and stud convertion kit with guide plates. On my 'stang with a peformer intake and 600 carb I made 228hp @ 5300 and 272t @ 3800 at the rear wheels.

Now I need to learn about these trucks. If I read right It has a dana 44 front and a 9" rear with a C6/NP205. He did say all was stock from the tranny back. I want to get the truck clean and solid before I mod anything else. Then I'll look into beefing the suspension and axles beyond what has already been done.

 

Look at the body mounts for cracks, body lifts scare me.

38" will be no good for towing.

Other then that, a 4x4 shorties RULE !!

Good luck and I would like to see some pictures !!

 

Ok so I have an update. I got the truck. In the process of up loading pic's. Here is what I've HAD to do so far ( the first weekend I've had the truck) The carb was trash. I have a rebuilt Edelbrock 600 I put on with a 1" 4 hole spacer. Complete tune up (plugs, cap, rotor, wires, fuel filter) and a new fuel pump. I had to make a new hard line from the pump to the carb because the previous owner was using just rubber fuel line. The truck runs great really likes the new carb. However, when I was test driving it the brakes started to "feel funny" and then the brake light came on. I blew a wheel cylinder on the passenger rear. So I had to do the rear brakes and new wheel cylinders on both sides. I finaly got it down to the tire shop. New 35X12.5 x15's BFG Mud Terrains on all corners (720 bucks) mounted and balenced. I still have to install the heater core and box that was pulled out. I also noticed that the front ball joints are shot. So the front end needs work and I'll probably put in new U-joints while I'm at it. So far the total cost output for the truck is 2675.00 including purchace. Good thing I can do my own work.

Dose anyone have any suggestions as to what else I should replace when I do the front end?

Thanks,
Bill

 

check your drag links and tierods and if you have some spare cash replace them for piece of mind also for safty since your going to tow with the truck also an alignment wouldnt hurt since it did have the big tires on it. also does the truck have steering dampers if it still has the stock one you would love dual skyjacker dampers (i got them and love them and Ive got a skyjacker lift check my gallery) also what brand of lift does it have on it