new to this ford thing...
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From: Indiana
new to this ford thing...
alright, we might be getting a pair of 81 ford F100's. They both have the 300 I6, and are manual trucks. One comes with a 3 spd/od, the other doesn't have a transmission. The driveable one is a SWB stepside, and I have no idea about the other (my dad is checking them out 2 hours away). I've driven the SWB one, and it's rough, but nothing a tune up and new suspension wouldn't take care of. The transmission is very sloppy though. What can you guys tell me about these trucks? They've got almost no options, so what am I looking at with the motor, transmission, rearend, options, problems, etc? Also, what tranny should I look for for the second truck?
Thanks a lot guys,
Matthew.
Thanks a lot guys,
Matthew.
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From: Indiana
they're both 2wd. I got some more recon info from my dad. If he's getting them (since he wants to) they're gonna be delivered tomorrow. The SWB stepper would be a work truck whose job would be flat towing a few cars around (including my delta and the 67 C10) on occasion, and having the rearend full of brush, logs, and whatever else we'd need to move on our 18 acres. The other one is a LWB fleet with an automatic. That one is also a 300. It's pretty beat on. That would be my daily driver so I can save the olds and get some money together to restore the chevy pickemup.
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Should be good for what you want. These trucks should have the "twin-I beam" front suspensions, not to bad to rebuild but terrible if you want to lift the truck. It is easier to put a straight axle under the front then to try and modify it. It is very hard to maintain the correct geometry. These are also known to "squat" and start eating up tires because of the mis-alignment.
Transmissions aren't my strong suit, but I know there are many trucks in the junk yards from these years. You should be able to use parts off of any 80-86 and even some parts all the way up to 96.
Transmissions aren't my strong suit, but I know there are many trucks in the junk yards from these years. You should be able to use parts off of any 80-86 and even some parts all the way up to 96.
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I was told that the front suspension on these are garbage and that they're a big PITA. I'd guess that's what you're talking about when you mention squatting. is there a way to permanently correct this, or just make sure and rebuild the frontend every so often? It's no biggie, because I don't mind that work, I just want to know as a heads up...
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The twin-I beam has to be one of the worst long-term designs that I have seen, but it works ok when everything is new. If you rebuild it, it should be good for the rest of the time you own the truck.
It is not good for heavy weight vehicles and not good under any kind of stress. As long as you aren't towing REALLY heavy loads it should be fine. Then again, those frames are weak up front so I wouldn't work it really hard anyway. I believe that they reinforced the frames design after 81'.
But if they were a good deal and you are making a junk truck and a daily driver, they should work out great for you. Good luck
It is not good for heavy weight vehicles and not good under any kind of stress. As long as you aren't towing REALLY heavy loads it should be fine. Then again, those frames are weak up front so I wouldn't work it really hard anyway. I believe that they reinforced the frames design after 81'.
But if they were a good deal and you are making a junk truck and a daily driver, they should work out great for you. Good luck
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well, we got 'em. dad sent me photos of the one I haven't seen...turns out it's an F150, and I'm not sure of the year. Yeah, it's pretty sorry lookin...
that chevy tailgate is for my 67, which is in that pole barn.
EDIT: well, I tried to post photos, but it said not to post links until I get 25+ posts...
that chevy tailgate is for my 67, which is in that pole barn.
EDIT: well, I tried to post photos, but it said not to post links until I get 25+ posts...
