Hi All,
I'm new to the board as of today. I'm looking forward to spending quite a bit of time here.

I've decided recently that i'd like to find and purchase a 1974 F250 c/w std cab with long box. Preferrably one with the double gas tank option.
The reason i've decided on this particular vehicle, is because this was the first truck that i had ever been in. My Grandfather had one that he towed his 5th wheel with and then later on a camper. He died around 13 yrs ago and after he died, my grandmother sold the truck.
I've recently decided that i'd like to get one like my Grandfather had because of all the good memories i had with him and his truck.
I may have actually located his truck close to where my grand parents used to live, and will be trying to contact the current owner over the next week or so to see if they'd be interested in selling back to me. If not, then i'd like to find another 74 F250 to purchase and restore.

Anyways, my questions are, is this a hard year/model to find? I've been doing some searching on the net and haven't really found too much for this specific year/model.
Second question, could those of you familiar with this year give me some details of the various options/details that were available for this given year?
I know that his did not have bumper guards on it, nor did it have chrome. I have no idea what sort of drivetrain combo's that were available that year.
Any bit of information on this would be great.

Lastly, if i am not able to source the actual truck my Grand Father owned, would anyone have any leads on where i might be able to find one?

Thanks in advance for reading my drawn out post.
I look forward to getting to know everyone and becoming a regular here at the site.

Cheers,
Geoff

 

At the top of the page just under the FTE banner, you'll see in the blue ribbon "Classifieds". Click on that and select the year group with 74s in it. Read through as many ads as you like & take note of the price difference in different regions. If you could manage a trip to Texas, or Tennesee areas, you'll likely find the best examples of the truck you're looking for. Don't forget the desert states.
There's no need to settle for a rusted Ontario truck when there are lots of really good ones down south.
Any 74 F250 you look at should have a 390 (great engine). Many of those trucks come with the granny-low 4 speed. Enough came with a C6 automatic.
Enjoy your search.
AL.

 

Hey Geoff, welcome to FTE. You've come to the right place for your project!
Take some time and read through some of the posts on the '73-79 forum. '73 to 79 ford trucks shared the same body style with some year to year variations.
Post some of your questions on that forum after you have read up on the '74.
I own a '76 so I know what your up against when it comes to restoration. If you can grab your grandfathers original truck, regardless of condition, go for it! The sentimental value would be awesome. There's not much that isn't reproduced in the way of parts and accessories, the only limit is the size of your bank account on what you can accomplish. There are also a few places that bring rust free cabs, boxes, doors etc, up from the south. We have members in the Ontario chapter who can also help locate parts.
As for buying a truck other than your grandfathers, well, you get what you pay for. I've seen them go for $200 because most are just rotted away. Buy the best truck you can afford, restoration dollars add up faster than you think.

Good luck with it!

Frank

 

Hey there,
I do believe his truck did have a 390 in it. It was also an automatic. I remember that it had a bench seat and lap belts only.
I think i'm going to call the guy tonight who had purchased it from my Grandmother and see if he still happens to have the truck, and if so if he'd sell it back to me.
As for the restoration, I know what you mean about adding up.
I restored an 84 s10 about 4-5 yrs ago that came from BC. Put a v8 in it, re did the body, etc. etc. ending up i think i put more than 5 grand into it.
I sold it earlier this year and now i'm ready for a new project. And as mentioned, if i can get this truck, it would mean a lot to me to be able to restore. I know my Grandmother would be very happy to see it as it was new when my grandfather had it.

Anyways,
I'll definitely start reading some of the posts in the 73-79 forum as well as this forum.

Thanks again all.

Cheers
Geoff

 

Welcome to FTE Geoff. Good luck finding a 74 if your grandfather's truck is unavailable. It seems that most 73-79 trucks that come up for sale in Ontario are 78 or 79.

 

Very true, not too many '74s out there but then it wouldn't take much to make any of these trucks (73-79) look like a '74. Either way you would still make grandma smile

Frank

 

Yes another 73-79 Fan I love it. Geoff I've picked up many of these trucks in my travels. I have a 74 short box of my own and have and have had multiple parts trucks over the years. I actually have a 74 F250 ext cab w/390 in the yard right now and it is rotten. A classic example of Hard Canadian winters and layered road salt. The 73-76 (and maybe 77) are harder to find because they didn't use plastic inserts on the wheel wells in the old days. Therefore the salt would come in contact with the inner fenders and front cab mount. This spelled disaster and is the reason why many of these Canadian trucks sag or have hoods that won;t go up. This was corrected in the 78-79 years but even those truck often have the rear corners and floors rusted out.
Nonetheless if you want a pretty one like dealford says you will need to go down South. Yes it is possible to to find one up here than an old guy has had in a shed for 20 years but you may have to wait 2 years to find the guy and then he might not want to sell.
Like FP5 (Frank) said you can make a 1977 truck look like a 74 pretty easy so you may not have to get hung up on the year so bad.
Happy hunting, and for sure ask questions. The 73-79 board has alot of info but the small group on 73-79 fans on here know the local answers.

Where do you live?

later
TFC (Jeff)

 

I just remembered I think "greenstreak" (Greg) is building a truck just like this. His is a 4X4 and I think he's made it into a 1978 year. You may want to send him a note because he has been building his from the frame up the old fashioned way and he could give you an idea on cost and time.

TFC

 

Hey all,
thanks for the warm welcome.
I live in Kitchener/Waterloo.
Good to know that i can make a newer one look like a 74
Would you guys happen to know any specific differences between those years? Grilles the same? dash/interior same? etc.?

Cheers!
Geoff

 

You have to look real hard to see the differences between a 1973 to 1977. There were some changes to badges and the grill inserts but more or less they are identical. Engine types did vary but body wise they were pretty well the same.
1978 and 1979 have different rad supports and grills. They can still be changed to look like a 74 with very little effort, but you would need to find the grill, and rad support and about an afternoon's worth of work to have the clone completed. They had a few more cosmetic thing on the interior (shoulder belts vs lap seat belts come to mind) but again other than badging these trucks were pretty well the same.

A Tri city resident. That's good you will be able to join us at the Arthur truck show next year. Hopefully you will have your ride by then.

later
TFC

 

Thanks for the info.
Yeah, I'd really like to make the show. My Wife is actually from Arthur and all her family live there. I actually do all my auto work/body work there too.
It shouldn't be hard for me to get up there next year for the show.
I'll keep my eyes open for something to come along. I'm not in a super rush, so i'll make sure i pick up something that is salvagable.

Geoff

 

You can view the 76 & 79 Truck sale brochueere on this site to see differences.

http://www.oldcarmanual.com/

You can also go to the old pictorial to see other years firsthand.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/pictorial/

 

Any luck finding your grandfathers truck?

There is a '74 f250 in the buyandsell....

http://www.buysell.com/root/detail/Ontario/1984_Prior_Domestic_Trucks_Vans/3546/53521283/1974_FORD_F250_super_cab_camper_special.aspx

maybe worth checking out, "camper specials" are not that common. Don't know if you want a super cab?

Frank

 

Great project Frank. I sure hope you can find Granddad's truck, that would make it extra special and a lifetime keeper. If not you will find that any of the 73-79 models will suit your recollections. I would be inclined to go with the 78-79 models because parts seem to be a little easier to locate as well as Jeff's observation about the front end rust issues on the earlier models. Unless you are intending on towing or other heavier work I would not restrict my search to the f250 there are a lot of good f100 and f150's around. Most parts fit between models. You can get most new aftermarket parts locally which I concider very important. If you are trying to keep the cost down buying new parts from the US involves shipping taxes and often duty. Also unless you have a need stay away from the 4x4, they are heavier and have more parts to replace. Your motor options are pretty much unlimited, once again try a fit your engine choices to your needs. Ford made a fantastic inline six which will go forever treated right (400,000 plus km on my first one and was still running when I took it out).A 360/390 will drop in with the right mounts and perches, 351m/400, 429/460 same thing. Many are available with a 302 which is another great ford engine but my personal preference would be keep the 302 for a car. By the way none of these motors will be great on gas.

There, just a few thoughts. I have been working on a 78 f250 4wd for about a year, just about everything repaired, repaced, painted or at least inspected,.did it all in the garage or the driveway, made up of good or repairable parts from a variety of years, its been fun, almost done. Definately keep Jeff at TJ's truck farm in mind if you need anything. Everything I have got from him has been good and reasonable.

I had my grandfathers 69 Galaxie 500 and let it go years ago. Man do I regret it now. I have been keeping my eyes out for another for years but cash time and opportunity have not quite come together.

Good luck

 

I made a 75 into a 78 just by drilling different holes for the headlite buckets so it maybe possible to do the same in reverse. The grills are different totally but it worked out as well as long as you have all the 74 pecies including the grill surround and all the brackets. Keep us posted.