[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 05-Jul-01 AT 07:48 PM (EST)[/font][p]I am just starting to look for an older ford truck for light hauling, and some driving around/ camping. I really like the 1970-76 trucks. But I would like to get some feedback as to which vintages are the most reliable. I want to get a basic work truck for $4000.00 or less 2wd is okay, but 4wd would be nice. I have seen trucks in this price range in all of the model years between 1993, and 1950.
Are mid -80,s trucks as reliable as mid-70's? how about early 90's? I really do not want to go older than 1970 though.

Please let me know what you think

for instance which would give me less trouble a 1971 f-250, or a 1986 F-150 both 2wd?
There are many trucks available with 150,000+ mileage, are some of the model years particularly bad with things breaking over 150K? My general feeling is that the newer, more complicated trucks with computers would have a greater tendency to break down that the older, simpler trucks.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

IMHO, The best vintage truck out there is FORD. Find one that you like best.

John

jowilker
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66F100s Rule
In the cool still quiet of night you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

Ok, man. 67-72's are the same truck's, more or less. 73-79's are the same trucks,more or less. My personal preferance would be the
73-79's F-250 4x4. But it depends on what you want. Both stated
generations are just as dependable and durable as the other.
(Don't get me wrong. The 67-72 gen. is a beutiful truck.)
Things you have to look at is budget, size of engine, what condition you can find a truck in, do you want auto. or manual
trans, etc. Try to find a truck that has been taken care of. You
don't want some poor old retired workhorse from farmer Joe down the way thats had the life worked out of it unless $ is not an option for you. If you don't know alot about 4wd, it would probably be a good idea to take someone with you while shopping who dose. Do you want something that'll eat gas or that won't?
If you live in a warm climate(little snow & ice) then a 2wd may be all that you need. A 2wd drive F-250 will do about anything
you will like for it to, within reason. F-350's are great trucks.
Look for a truck with a/c. And things of that nature.

As a personal side note, of wich others may disagree, as far as
i'm concerned Ford quit building trucks from 80-91. But that is just my opinion. I'm sure there is nothing wrong with those 2 gen's of trucks. I just never could stomache the styling then.
Good luck.

 

I have to agree with jowilker...I thought they were all reliable....they are FORDS

Wayne 60 F-350
e-mail
https://www.ford-trucks.com/users/whomrig

 

Stay away from the Dura-Spark ignition system. It can be identified by a 4in square aluminum box with about 6 wires going to it. I have on in my '76 Bronco. Although I have never broken down because of it, it has caused strange, intermitent, difficult-to-diagnose running and starting problems more than once. Too many wires to short-out and too many connections to corrode. Not sure of the exact years that Ford used it (mid 70's-mid 80's?) Some people here have actually gone to the trouble to fit them into older vehicles.

Stay away from any 4-speed automatic tranny or the 3-speed manual tranny. NP435 & T-18 4-speed manuals and C-6 3-speed automatics are bullet-proof transmissions.

300-6, 351W(not M), 390(or any FE), 429, and 460 are good engines for F-series trucks.

Also coinsider an F250 rather than 100 or 150. You will get a much stronger frame, a full-floating Dana 60 rear, and larger(longer lasting) brakes. And the ride really isn't that much more harsh.

 

Here's another two cents: two of the most frustrating aspects of these trucks is fuel mileage and states' emissions requirements. The inline 300-6 is good on gas but poor on acceleration. I believe anything younger than a '74 is going to need some emission inspections (depending on where you live). Back in those days the engineers tried everything to get the numbers to work, unfortunately many of the parts and knowledge of how the systems worked is long gone. You have to consider if you want to deal with a distributer with points or without. Starting in the '80's there was some design changes to the gauge of metal used on the body and the introduction of the feedback carb. You are really at the mercy at what you can find and how much you want to restore. Pay attention to the steering and suspension wear, the differential used, and the overall condition. The '69 to '79 is an awesome time period for Ford design. Post what you see and you'll get more specfics about what your choices are.