This is not a solicitation - It is a question, I hope this does not turn into a solicitation thread - hopefully a Ford Truck reselling Q&A thread

I need to sell my truck to free up some cash. However I am not sure what I can realistically sell it for. I have not sold an old truck in years. I have looked on eBay, craigslist, Traderonline to get an idea and am still not sure.

It's a '78 F-250 4x4 Long Bed / Standard Cab - about $130K miles
400M V8 - goes through a quart of oil every 200 miles (no smoke, no leaks)
4-Speed NP435 Manual Trans
Mated NP205 Transfercase
Dana 60's Front and Rear
Ranger XLT/Camper Special - No A/C
I bought it for $1800 and have invested almost $6K for a out of pocket of $7700.00
Long list of parts - won't list here mostly chassis/steering/brake parts/ wheels tires etc.
Needs Bedsides, Tailgate, Outer rear Wheel Well Panels, New Doors, Paint Job, Motor overhauled, transmissions seals, new rear bumper.

I have seen trucks of this condition go for $2K - $8K, whats up?

 

Food for thought

In the FAQ thread you will find this message on setting a value on a truck.


Get the truck professionally appraised and go from there.

A person needs to

physically see,feel,test drive,and inspect the vehcile to put an accurate value on something.

Locale also has something to do with it.

We really can't do it over the internet...all we have is an opinion or a Guess what it is worth.

 

So, you are asking how much to sell it for? It all depends on many factors. Mainly condition, but also location. Here in MT I wouldn't even look at a 4x2, or an automatic. But those are more preferences I guess, and you are in CA so it may not matter. 6K is a lot to put into any vehicle...is that all parts/shop labor or is it bodywork? With 6K into it your description of what it still needs is kinda long. If you can post some pictures that of course is always easier to judge overall condition.

 

Pictures are in my gallery: The truck is a Utah truck and is in storage in Utah.

As far as a detailed parts list:
New Rear Leaf Springs, Hangers, and Hardware
U-Joints all the way around
Shocks all the way around
Brakes: 1-Ton Booster/Master Cylinder, Calipers, Wheel Cylinders, Hoses, Lines, All new Hardware, PFC Brakes Pads, Rear Shoes, rear parking brake cables, front rotors,
Bearings and Seals all the way around

Steering System: Gearbox, Tie Rods, Draglinks, Adjusting Sleeve, Steering Shock, Flaming River Steering Shaft (Connects Column to Gear Box)

Haliwig Rear Sway Bar Kit
New Bushings Front Sway Bar (Pivot and Links)

Rebuilt Front Knuckles/spindles, King Pins, Bushings, Seals - New Warn Prem Hubs

Exhaust System: 3" Single with Mandrel bends, big body Magna-Flow Muffler

Engine: New Weiland Intake, 1406 Edelbrock Carb, Fuel Pump, Distributor, Ignition Module, Starter, Rad Hoses, rebuilt clutch linkage, new windshield washer reservoir/pump

Interior - New Floor Pans, Rubber Floor Liner, New Door Panels, Door Panel Armrests, JVC CD Player with 2 5 ½ speakers in doors, 2" tweeters in dash, new Trans and T-Case shifter boots, drivers side window regulator, new matched key/lock set, turn signal switch

New Rear Gas Tank with sending unit, fuel tank selector switch, (still need to find a new center fuel tank and carrier)

33" Tires on Aluminum Ultra Rims

That is about it - more functional components rather than cosmetic. I was leaving cosmetic until the end. Most of these parts were installed in 2003. I drove the truck for two years putting on about 2K miles during that time. I had to move out to California for a job transfer. It has been in storage since 2005.

One always wants to recover your total investment, but we all know that's difficult unless you are dealing in high demand muscle cars. So I don't know what I can get for it - thus this thread

If I can't recoup a lot of the investment then it is not worth letting it go - because I will end of finding another truck again in the future and start over again!

 

I was tallying how much I've put into my truck in the last couple years and I think I'm near $12,000 including buying it for $2500. However, since I've done no body work at all I figure I'd be lucky to sell it for $4000-$6000.

Good thing I'm not trying to sell it.

The way I figure it, unless it's pretty, no one is going to want to buy it for even close to what it's worth.

 

Just my 2 coppers,,,, keep it, you will not get out of it what ya got into it, I sold a 66 F-150 that I had put to much into for discs and so on, not even close, it needed body work and some cosmetic touches, mechanically it was brand new, however appearances mean $$$. I sold my 99 Super-duty diesel 4x instead of my 77 or 66.

 

A little disappointing that these old Ford’s don’t go for more money. It drives me crazy to watch old Chev’s (‘67 - ‘72) resell for so much more money when (in my opinion) are so much more of an inferior truck. But supply and demand has a hand in this. I believe Ford sold a lot more trucks than GM did and there are more Fords still out on the road and running.

 

Yes over the last 30 years or so, the vast majority of those years have had the F150 Ford truck as not only the most sold truck, but the most sold VEHICLE. The great parts interchangability of the Small Block Chevy has made it much more common for the hot rodders and such to modify. Modifying Ford engines is often a hassle due to the research necessary to know what parts interchange as well as the search and expense for such parts. When modifiying an SBC OTOH you can just about buy what you need at the Seven Eleven.

Before the Small Block Chevy came out in 1955, Fords were King among the hot rodders. Henry made the same basic V8 for 21 years with great parts interchangability. Since the first non flathead Ford V8 in 1954, Ford has made zillions of engine configurations while seemingly changing them almost every year.

Never fear though, the 73-79 Fords are becoming more sought after every year. I have a 78 4X4 that I bought new. I live on a ranch in NE Texas and my house is not far from the road. Starting about 10 years ago, occasionally someone would stop and ask if I wanted to sell that truck. That became a more frequent occurrence until about 3 years ago I had to hide the truck so that no one could see it from the road so that I could get some Peace and Quiet. That tells me that these trucks are becoming more popular and sought after.

Being that a high boy is talked about here alot, I think that if wantafords truck were in good cosmetic condition, it would bring a premium price. In five or ten years, it may bring an unbelievable price, but ONLY if in nice cosmetic condition.

I have learned over the last 45 years of messing with cars, that you could take two identical vehicles setting side by side for sale with one of them shining but smoking, while the other was in perfect mechanical condition with faded paint and the one the shiney junker will sell quicker for more money EVERY time.

It won't be ME that selects the shiny junker over the mechanically solid vehicle, but I am in the minority. Glitz sells.