bonehead things done by previous owner, post up
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 2
From: Casa Grande
That sounds like one of the old Earl Scheid paint job. Had a friend get one of those back in the 70's. That's exactly what they did, masking tape everything. Great looking 50-75ft paint job.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 579
Likes: 18
Hahaha, he get all the paint runs too? Granted, paint jobs aren't too critical on an old pickup.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
Taping was a premium. most times they just greased what you didn't want the paint to stick to...
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Brandywine, WV
That's a great idea! I'm gonna do that when I get around to painting mine...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 2
From: Casa Grande
Hadn't even thought about that but it does make sense. Just took it for granted they used masking tape, it was obvious they did remove anything.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,739
Likes: 3
From: GANS
The best thing that I've found on my new-to-me f250 is the lack of maintenance. 170K on the original plugs. Well, 5 of the original platinum plugs. Three plugs were changed. One of them was so rusted, I actually broke the metal part of the plug off trying to remove it. I have to use wax and an ez-out to remove the rest.
The steering box has about 50 degrees of play in it.
Good thing I only paid $350 dollars over scrap price..
The steering box has about 50 degrees of play in it.
Good thing I only paid $350 dollars over scrap price..
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
found a few items on mine, more tales of hacked wiring mostly..
Bought my 84 from the original owner and he made it clear that while he took care of it, he was not mechanically inclined. He was a high-powered radio aficionado and had 2 radios installed in the cab (one radio receiver still lives in there) and a mount for a whip antenna stuck on the front bumper (also still there). Additionally, he had some aftermarket lights in the grille.
Everything was placed on the horn circuit and wired in using small home appliance UL wire.
The other thing that gets me is the maintenance. It's got a fresh 351w in there now, but the original engine was in appalling shape when we got it apart. Only 100k miles but it looked like it hadn't received more than a couple oil changes in it's life.
Bought my 84 from the original owner and he made it clear that while he took care of it, he was not mechanically inclined. He was a high-powered radio aficionado and had 2 radios installed in the cab (one radio receiver still lives in there) and a mount for a whip antenna stuck on the front bumper (also still there). Additionally, he had some aftermarket lights in the grille.
Everything was placed on the horn circuit and wired in using small home appliance UL wire.
The other thing that gets me is the maintenance. It's got a fresh 351w in there now, but the original engine was in appalling shape when we got it apart. Only 100k miles but it looked like it hadn't received more than a couple oil changes in it's life.
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New User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Previous owner was an idiot.
Front tank pump quit so rewired to pull only from rear tank.
Bypassed tank selector switch altogether.
Installed regular fuel filter inline before the high pressure pump.
Spliced broken fuel line with what looked to be part of an ink pen.
Apparently removed fuel line connectors with a hammer and screwdriver.
Bypassed tank selector valve in a manner that can only be described as "astounding."
Basically did close to 2k worth of damage to avoid buying a $100 fuel pump.
Idiot.
Luckily I don't pay full price.
Front tank pump quit so rewired to pull only from rear tank.
Bypassed tank selector switch altogether.
Installed regular fuel filter inline before the high pressure pump.
Spliced broken fuel line with what looked to be part of an ink pen.
Apparently removed fuel line connectors with a hammer and screwdriver.
Bypassed tank selector valve in a manner that can only be described as "astounding."
Basically did close to 2k worth of damage to avoid buying a $100 fuel pump.
Idiot.
Luckily I don't pay full price.
New User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: St. Clair, MO
Mine had the fenders cut in the front to fit bigger tires. But at least they put some nice fender flares on it so its unoticable until you open the hood, bc they cut some of the Inner fender too.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, GA
today, I stayed home from work and I spent most of the day laying around with a headache and trying to help out a few fella's on here.
I did look at my truck sitting in the driveway...as was pretty happy there is no longer a puddle of tranny fluid forming under it
I did purchase 2 more Ford manuals today and my Holley tuning book came in the mail...Library is getting bigger
I did look at my truck sitting in the driveway...as was pretty happy there is no longer a puddle of tranny fluid forming under it
I did purchase 2 more Ford manuals today and my Holley tuning book came in the mail...Library is getting bigger
New User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
bought 86 stepside
the wood in the bed replaced with plywood and no braces
smog, egr, and knock senser gone
removed sway bar on rear for some traction bars that were not the right lenght
aftermarket cruse control half hooked up
4.56 gears with welded carrier
more oil leaks than there are gaskets i thinkl
the wood in the bed replaced with plywood and no braces
smog, egr, and knock senser gone
removed sway bar on rear for some traction bars that were not the right lenght
aftermarket cruse control half hooked up
4.56 gears with welded carrier
more oil leaks than there are gaskets i thinkl
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
The tailgate handle rods were held to the handle with thin gauge non-insulated wire. Instead of buying cheap guides for less than $1, he used wire that eventually stretched out and made the rods come loose.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 938
Likes: 1
From: copperas cove tx
^^ HAHA thats actually what I did lol. I used aircraft safety wire instead of electrical wire though. If that stuff stretches under the use of my tailgate then the army has far worse issues to fix then loose handles.
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