Hey'alls,
I've got zilch experience working on cars, although I'm a soon to be (in a couple more years) mechanical engineer, and by nature I love anything mechanical (I've worked as a bicycle mechanic/assembler for a while, and really enjoyed it). I'd really love to get into working on cars and what not, starting with just keeping something running well. I also really love the classic Ford trucks. Now, to stop beating around the bush, where do I start? I would imagine the best advice is "go buy one and start tinkering with it", but I'm just wonderin' if anyone has some words of wisdom for a new guy...


Muchos Thanks!
David

 

buy one { running preffered to keep a newbie interested } and start tinkering . i've had cars since i was what 10 or twelve and was always from early on in the garage with my grandpa and uncle with their cars and race cars . i learned hands on still am . it's the best way .

 

Kerthwack

Thats darn good advice you just got from 55 F350, and i myself second that advice being almost in the same arena as he was and still is.
You can enjoy your ride and learn on it at the same time. Later on with what you learn you might want to buy a project and create your own, or bring one back to its former state.
The plus side is that you will still have a ride to mess with, good luck in your quest.

 

One good place to start is Ebay. You can enter year and ford and look at many models to see what appeals to you. When you find one you like go through the FTE articles to learn good/bad/ugly about it. Decide what you want to do with modifications or restoration. Then ask questions. Put your city/state in the top right corner of your thread(user CP). There may be someone close that can help.Have a great day,chuck

 

First decide what era/year appeals to you. Next count the coins in the change jar to decide how much you can spend. Now decide how you will use the truck and what features are important to you: totally stock to full custom or hot rod. Then finally give a strong assessment to where you will work on the truck and what equipment/tools do you already have and/or plan to buy.
Truism: the less you spend up front, the longer, more difficult, more costly the build will be in the end. The body is the most difficult and expensive part to fix. Buy good sheetmetal over good mechanicals. Research where to look for the most rust prone areas for the models that appeal to you.

 

Welcome to the board. You have been given some very good advice. Mainly DON'T buy a rust bucket. Look around and find what you want. Take your time and don't jump into a bad situation that you will grow tired of before you get a good start. Make sure you get good sheet metal. Not a lot of rust to cut out and replace. I looked for over a year before I bought my 50F1 and it was not a runner. Just a good cab and fenders. The bed was shot. Take your time you'll be glad in the long run. .........RUSTY

 

When I bought my truck, the sheet metal was pretty good. It needed work, but usable. I would agree with those before me. Pick the year that appeals to your tastes, then get one that the body is good to very good. I bought mine for $250.00 or so. The body was good, but the engine was not all there. After a year and a half, mine is on the road. I would try to get one with the engine complete though. Check out the galleries here on fte as well. Ask lots of questions, the people on here are the best. They walked me through the whole process. Welcome, sit a spell, and enjoy!

 

David,

all the above advice is right on the mark...find the very best truck you can afford...THEN find a better one and borrow the money to buy it. It will be cheaper to start with a better truck than a junker.

Another thing to consider is commitment... here's something to read that might get you thinking...

trials

main thing to remember is HAVE FUN !!!

later
John

BTW welcome to FTE. my tag line says the rest

 

Wow, thanks! I had no idea there'd be that many responses...this is quite a good place, methinks :-)

So, I was wasting some homework time on craigslist, and I found this:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/car/326895155.html

Now, I know that it's silly to ask if I should get it or not, since it's kinda hard to figure that out with that little information, and without being able to actually take a look at it...but, that said, what should I look for when I'm looking at a potential truck? I would imagine that there's lots of things, like the rust that you guys are talkin' about (which reminds me, I've got a question 'bout that too, in just a moment), that I really should be on the watch for...so, basically, what should I be on the watch for?

Also, that other question...what exactly are the ramifications of having rust on the different parts of the truck, ie body, engine block, frame, et cetera?

Thanks Again!
~David

 

oh yeah, I forgot, also...thanks for the welcomes, 'tis good to be here!

 

David, AFA that truck, 1962 is beyond the range of this forum, but I believe that generation is often called the orphan years since there is very little aftermarket support. Not that it's a major problem it just means you have to be more resourceful and patient in tracking down model specific replacement parts, you can't just pick up a catalog and order anything you need like you can on the F1s or F 100s.
I'd be a little leery of the primer paint job, it can mask a lot of problems.
Rust is an issue because the repair is a somewhat major undertaking. The eaten away metal must be cut out, including any under support structure, new metal formed and welded in then refinished. It's a skill many of us here has had to learn out of necessity since hiring it out is expensive and finding someone that can even do it can be difficult. It can be done, but it does mean buying and learning to use a Mig welder at least.
There are no patch panels made AFAIK for the 62 so you would need to learn how to make your own as well. Since the trucks of these eras were not treated to prevent corrosion, in any part of the country that uses salt on the roads rust in the sheetmetal is a major concern since even if it hasn't broken thru yet the hidden damage can be extensive.
Rust elsewhere (except the frame) is just a cosmetic issue that needs to be addressed just for appearance and to keep it from getting worse.
PS: I would highly recommend you shop in the So Cal, AZ, NV, NM part of the country rather than locally since you live in the salt belt. It would be money ahead to haul a solid truck home from one of these chemical rust free areas.
I went entirely across the country for mine.

 

Welcome to the board!! You've already got some great advice from some great people.

I pretty much second what has already been said. Since your vehicle experience is a bit low I'd start with something that was pretty complete.

Good luck with it
Bobby

 

as far as that 62 it looks pretty good but id be wary of the primer. it could be just someone looking for that rat rod look or be hiding an inch of bondo smeared over wire mesh over holes. you can get patch panels for the 62 from places like lmc, dennis carpenter and others. the aftermarket is way better for the slick 60s trucks(61-66) than for the orphans(57-60). i would look around at differnt years of trucks to decide on the style you like then find one. then look around at differnt trucks of that year and decide what you want your truck to look like.