Keep the Beast???
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New User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Keep the Beast???
I have a F-150 4x4, 300 inline-6, 4-speed(with granny gear).
Made in Canada, July 1981.
It drove about 20 miles when I first got it. But I'm not sure how neglected it was by the previous owner judging by the condition of the air filter
.
Problems include:
- Power steering fluid leak
- Clutch problem
- Choke problem (mechanic friend said somethin about operating choke manually from in the cab)
- o2 sensor is bad and not connected
- Speedometer not connected to transmission.
- truck is ugly (pics coming)
I need reasonably safe and reliable transportation. So should I get rid of this beast asap? ,or is it worth it to get it running good???
And about what MPG should I expect considering the o2 sensor?
How problematic are these early '80s trucks?
Made in Canada, July 1981.
It drove about 20 miles when I first got it. But I'm not sure how neglected it was by the previous owner judging by the condition of the air filter
.Problems include:
- Power steering fluid leak
- Clutch problem
- Choke problem (mechanic friend said somethin about operating choke manually from in the cab)
- o2 sensor is bad and not connected
- Speedometer not connected to transmission.
- truck is ugly (pics coming)
I need reasonably safe and reliable transportation. So should I get rid of this beast asap? ,or is it worth it to get it running good???
And about what MPG should I expect considering the o2 sensor?
How problematic are these early '80s trucks?
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
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Well speaking as someone that owns an 80 4x4 with the 6 4 speed combo they are easy to work on. mine has a manual choke its easy to hook up 20 minutes with basic hand tools max. The speedo is an easy fix in fact i have most the parts you will need. The clutch may just need to be adjusted but if it is burt up you can buy a new one for under $200. The 02 sensor may efect fuel milage a little but if its pre 84 i would not worry about it. mine never had one and ran great. however if you want to replace it i think they run about $30 dollars. If the cab is soild on the frame and the heater works ok Id say feel free to put some money into it. Mines not to pretty and the 300 six blew up so Im converting to a 302. Its more if you think its work putting $3 or 400 bills into it.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
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All I have to say is to remember that no matter what you buy you may never know it's real history, and so you may have to put more money into a new vehicle then into your current vehicle. So I guess what I am trying to say is that the "beast" you know is probably better than the "beast" you don't know. So far it sounds like you are getting to know this truck pretty well. But I have not seen it yet, and if it is just dented some peaple (including myself) would call that character, (my truck has alot of character).
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 390
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From: Rose City, MI
Personally i would look to see where its leaking and what kind of condition its in. I paid 300 dollars for my truck and have spent probably 2000 on it fixing it over 3 years time. Even though my wife hates my old truck i wont get rid of it because its the vehicle i trust the most in the yard.
Freshman User
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I own a '78 F-150 4X4 with 200,000 original miles (351M/C4 Auto) and an '85 F-150 4x2 with 160,000 original miles (300 I6/C6 Auto) and I surely would trade either for a brand new one. Both are easy to work on, but I prefer the 300. As for dependability, neither has left me stranded on the side of the road. Now when it comes to fuel milage, this is where the love affair is a bit strained. The '78 is "all time 4 wheel drive (no lock-outs) so it gets between 8-11 mph. The '85 gets around 13 town or highway (C6 trans has no overdrive). Hope you choose to keep the Beast.
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 18
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From: Independence,Missouri
Originally Posted by Mr. Finch
All I have to say is to remember that no matter what you buy you may never know it's real history, and so you may have to put more money into a new vehicle then into your current vehicle. So I guess what I am trying to say is that the "beast" you know is probably better than the "beast" you don't know. So far it sounds like you are getting to know this truck pretty well. But I have not seen it yet, and if it is just dented some peaple (including myself) would call that character, (my truck has alot of character).
AMEN on th character.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Asheville, NC
My '84 with the 300 six is a real baby. It is covered with charactor and rust grows above all 4 wheels.
It is 28 degrees outside this evening with snow and related problems. I just got back from the store. Truck got me there and back with no issues. It has always gotten me there without issues.
Did you know that on warm southern nights when the wind is low you can hear a Ford rust? I have 2, and sometimes the noise is deafening.
It is 28 degrees outside this evening with snow and related problems. I just got back from the store. Truck got me there and back with no issues. It has always gotten me there without issues.
Did you know that on warm southern nights when the wind is low you can hear a Ford rust? I have 2, and sometimes the noise is deafening.
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UGLY; dented, rusty, multi-colored, faded paint, beat-up looking, etc....
Looks like a 24-year-old work truck.
Basically I'm worried about it becoming a MONEY PIT.
The problems I listed are only the main ones I know about so far...
SAFETY is my main concern.
thanks for the input...
Looks like a 24-year-old work truck.
Basically I'm worried about it becoming a MONEY PIT.
The problems I listed are only the main ones I know about so far...
SAFETY is my main concern.
thanks for the input...
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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As to safety, I wouldn't worry if you have decent tires and brakes. Full size trucks are consistent in showing the lowest claims for insurance. I looked it up.
If it looks ok to you and is "solid," you surely can do worse than a I6 with 4 spd.
All my fords have leaky powersteering. Put some leak stop in it. What do you have to lose? Clutches are cheap. The choke is cheap. I vote to keep it if you have any value in it.
Larry
If it looks ok to you and is "solid," you surely can do worse than a I6 with 4 spd.
All my fords have leaky powersteering. Put some leak stop in it. What do you have to lose? Clutches are cheap. The choke is cheap. I vote to keep it if you have any value in it.
Larry
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Fleming Ga
Fixing old junk to drive is my preferred way of dealing with used vehicles. I would rather buy a $250 truck and spend $3000 on it than buy a $3000 truck because when I am finished, I know the truck is mechanically sound. With a $3000 used truck you can be sure that there is something lurking around the corner waiting to cost you money.
Truck I am working on now is a 85. Did the body work and painted , rebuilt the front end and transmission, Replaced the bearings in the rear and all brakes. Soon as I get finished with the motor I will have an almost new old truck for $4000
Truck I am working on now is a 85. Did the body work and painted , rebuilt the front end and transmission, Replaced the bearings in the rear and all brakes. Soon as I get finished with the motor I will have an almost new old truck for $4000
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 684
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[QUOTE=ronclark]Fixing old junk to drive is my preferred way of dealing with used vehicles. I would rather buy a $250 truck and spend $3000 on it than buy a $3000 truck because when I am finished, I know the truck is mechanically sound. With a $3000 used truck you can be sure that there is something lurking around the corner waiting to cost you money.
I agree, the car I built for my dad for about $2500 and my truck that I built for about $1500 atleast feal more reliable than my moms $3000 car. And I feel more comfotable when I have to do work on them, becouse I know everything about them.
I agree, the car I built for my dad for about $2500 and my truck that I built for about $1500 atleast feal more reliable than my moms $3000 car. And I feel more comfotable when I have to do work on them, becouse I know everything about them.