The reason i ask is because my uncle has one with a 302 auto tranny, 4x4. I think it said "explorer" on the back. The engine and tranny are still good, i'm not sure on the exact year it was. He said there is somthign wrong with the back axle though. Are there any problem areas i should look out for? I mean, if the thing runs good, i might as well drive it and beat it around, since i'm a 17 year old kid, i dont want to wreck anything nice. One big downside to this truck is that its rusted out so bad, he had to mount the taillights to the bumper. I imagine you can see the road from inside the cab through the floor. I'll just weld up some sheetmetal or somthing. I just need somthing to beat around on for the next year or so. Granted i'll probalby get this for free. I'm most likely going to put on a new bed, weld up the cab corners, and figure out whats wrong with the rear axle. He said it he drove it from his house to his sons house this summer, so it sounds like its drivable. I always wanted an older truck. Also, what years are carbed and what years are efi? Its free, all i have to do is pay insurance on it. (and get it in a reliable condition)

 

Well....sorta forever! As long as you can keep them from being dissolved from the elements and have plenty of time, parts are not an issue no matter if you have the first model year or the latest.

 

I have an 86 F-250 HD, 4x4 with a 460 and a t-19 and it has the original engine, tranny, transfer case and axles and the only thing I've done to it so far is rebuild the carb. Ford's are good solid trucks that you could drive to the grave if you wanted to.

 

The biggest enemies of these trucks are: salt and lack of maintenance. If you avoid both, you'll still be driving the truck when you're old and gray.

 

Okay, i took your advice, I got the truck from my uncle, who basically gave it to me for free, before i went to his house i bought oil & filter, air filter, pcv valve, battery, and thats about it. Well, it took the battery to get it to crank, the old one was dead. After that it fired and died, so i put 2 gallons of gas into the front tank (seeing how it was empty) but to no avail, no start, so we left, me very unhappy, i couldnt get it to run. So, with my ultimate persistance, i went back with a friend and about 7 gallons of gas. Well, about 10 min later, the truck was running!!!!!!!. All it needed was some more gas. Speaking of elements being the only thing that can really happen to a truck, well, i'd have to agree, there is virtually no box left, alot of rust everywhere, its so bad, the taillights wouldnt hold on anymore, and had to be bolted to (whats left of) the bumper. But man, that 302 is a nice sounding engine, no smoke, no nothing, strong running truck. I think its in desperate need of a good brake job, and some new wheel bearings, and some new tires, also, a new bed. How much should i expect to pay for a bed for one of these things? I'd settle for an old beat up bed, as long as most of it is there.

 

mine has about 250,000 miles on it so far and still running...

 

My 80 F-350 with the 'ol 300 six and granny low 4 speed has 348K and except for the tranny and a few worn out items it's all stock.....and still running strong. It regulary sees some serious off roading and it's not at all uncommon for me to put well over a ton into what's left of the bed ( rust ).

 

I've got a long bed ,tailgate, doors, and hood off an 86 w/dual tanks that I really need to get rid of. I'm in Apopka which is just outside Orlando. Jason

 

I am in need of the drivers side door hinge... It would have to be shipped due to the face i am going to be in Oakland California so let me know if that is feasiable for you... Thanks

 

my 85 has got just as much rust as it does paint but it still runs strong and gets me where i need to go. I paid 300 for it 3 years ago and been ruff on it but that ole 300 just takes anyting i give it. Im still working on getting the floorboards done up.

 

Best light truck for ever made is the 80-86 in my opinon. Not to much technology, good amount of power.

Ive got two 86 f150's if you can belive it. Love both of em. One is a 4x4 302 auto the other is a inline 6 stick 2wd. The 4x4 is MY work truck and i like driving it better than my 98 olds bravada awd.

Take care of her and she will take care of you!

 

I've had my 84 for about 4 months now 300 cid 2wd. Put about $800 cdn into it bought it for $1000. SHe runs like a top now, and it only has about 180.000 kms on it....barely broken in.

 

How long will an F-150 last? That depends on:
1) Your mechanical ability.
2) Your attention to maintenance.
3) Your ability to keep your foot off of the floorboard and not drive like a Nascar driver on the last lap of the Daytona 500.
4) Your persistance to fix the truck when things like rust, accident damage or other major mechanical failures occur.

 

The plastic timing gear in the 86models with 302 engines last about 100,000 miles. Why they used plastic is beyond me. The replacement gear is metal and will probably last two or three times longer.

 

This piece of plastic isnt on the 302 EFI '85 is it? or is it just one of those stupid things they did in '86