Worth buying?
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: kansas
Worth buying?
Hey, I am lookin at an 84' F-150 4x4 for $2000, It has a 351 with some mods on it, don't know exactly, and the motor was recently rebuilt. It looks to need new cab corners, and the door(s) don't open from the outside, and he couldn't find the problem, don't know the guy though! I am 14, and I want a truck to do some work on, and lift, and offroad! is there anything wrong with these model year trucks? Also, it won't be driven for about a year, because my parents don't want to register and all that until I really need it next summer! How hard are the cab corners to replace? my uncle has a nice welder, and some expirience on body work, not much though! I like just about any 1/2 ton or larger ford 4x4, so I think this would work for what I want. thanks, and later!
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: gravenhurst
howdy. u should be able to buy cab corners at local part store and as far as 4x4s go they are sweet but before u buy it keep in minde that they have a lot of front end problems, for instance check the hubs for ingagement stifness or crunchyness check ball joints front u joints,transfer case,and all bushings in the front end. I had an 87 f150 stepside 4x4 and it was hard on parts, but that is how it is . if you can bring it to a dirt road and test the 4x4 if it does not feel rite then look for another they are a dime a dozen. Iam from canada and $2000 is a lot to pay for an 84. happy trails
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: SE Texas
It's hard to say without looking at the truck in-person, but it sounds like too much money for the truck. For $2000, you can get a really nice 80's 4wd truck in better shape. For your first time, try to find one from someone you know, like a family relative or neighbor, etc. That way, you know what problems it has had and what has been done to it, how hard it was driven or abused. Buying from a total stranger is risky, even if you know what to look for. You could end up with a truck that goes for years with no problems, or get a lemon and need to spend thousands of $$$ to fix the motor, transmission, transfer case, axles, on and on. You stil have a year to look, right?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Metamora
I would pass, unless he offers it for $1000 or less. I looked at my 86 for the first time and at $1600, I thought it was a good deal, but after two years of replacing rusty panels, dealing with general maintenance stuff, I would have looked for something else.
If I had to do it again, I would look for the following:
1) First and foremost, rust free if it was my daily driver, for a mud truck, maybe this doesn't matter as much
2) Original unmolested drivetrain, it is easier to fix a non-working stock powertrain than one that someone else had their hands on.
3) Try to hold out for an F250 or 350, so at least if you were planning on doing some suspension mods and big tires, you would already have a pretty stout drivetrain.
Just my 2c.
If I had to do it again, I would look for the following:
1) First and foremost, rust free if it was my daily driver, for a mud truck, maybe this doesn't matter as much
2) Original unmolested drivetrain, it is easier to fix a non-working stock powertrain than one that someone else had their hands on.
3) Try to hold out for an F250 or 350, so at least if you were planning on doing some suspension mods and big tires, you would already have a pretty stout drivetrain.
Just my 2c.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: kansas
thanks fellas, I have basically decided to wait for another one! I was kinda thinkin it was on the high side, so I'll look for a better deal! I'm not in much of a hurry, the soonest it will be driven is september. I was also thinkin on waiting for a f250 or 350, for that reason, and I would look at older chevies, but I'm too much of a ford fan to do that! thanks again, later.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Jefferson, Iowa
There are some really good deals out there, just keep your eyes open. Once i found a 89 f150 manual 4x4 with a 300, what more could i ask for. Maitnince records, ran like a champ, 900. Couldn't get the money fast enough, 2 days laster sold. Still kick myself for that stunt.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: SE Texas
I know that it's tough to see a truck for sale, and pass on it due to high price, low funds, whatever. A friend called me a while back, looking at a truck for his college son. An ad on local radio stated 1985 F250 4x4, $1200 obo. Sounds good, so he called me for advice. When we drove up to the yard it was anchored in, I instantly thought $200. Rusted panels, fluid leaks, Jerry-rigged pushbutton start (broken column), on and on. He found another truck for $1500 that needed new shocks, ball joints and an alignment. No problems in 10 months since. I will look at 2-3 dozen trucks before I find one actually worth it's asking price, but you can also get the seller to drop the price alot when you find some major problems.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Metamora
Just remember that the F-series trucks are the best selling vehilcles in the country for the past 22 years. They sold at least 850,000 of them per year for the past two years.
You should be able to find a good one somewhere, keep your eyes open and don't give in too quickly
You should be able to find a good one somewhere, keep your eyes open and don't give in too quickly
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
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From: Spokane WA
i think $2000 is a little high but not way out of the ballpark, $1500 would be better.
How are the brakes? 20 year old brakes are usually not in mint condition and well beyond needing just pads and shoes.
How are the brakes? 20 year old brakes are usually not in mint condition and well beyond needing just pads and shoes.