Here's the deal... bought "Old Yeller" Sunday, and pretty much am thrilled with my old beater truck. Now I want to fix it up some.

It's a 4x2, 390 4-barrel, automatic, has headers, and dual exhaust - with a HUGE exhaust leak at the collector. As these are long tube headers, how much should I worry about burning a valve before I get this fixed? (It's next to be done, but I drove it nearly 200 miles home when I bought it)... The engine doesnt leak or burn any oil that I can tell yet, and transmission (automatic

The body has some good dents (which I am not too worried about), and some rust in the bed, but doesnt look too bad. I actually think the paint would look decent if I buffed it out. It's yellow and white. The interior is so-so - I need a new headliner - what is this made of, is it cardboard and vinyl? are these easy to replace? The front bench seat is bad. It's got a cover and lots of foam under the cover... but could use replacing. Where are some good places to look online for a front bench seat replacement? (I imagine shipping would eat you alive.... maybe re-upholstery would be a better option? Do any companies make new seat covers for the old frames?

To my amazement, all blinkers, brake lights, headlights, etc work great. as do both fuel tanks and gauges.

The tires however, are SHOT. different sizes, different types, etc. Looks like I need 235/85 r16's and WOW those aren't cheap. Almost as much as I paid for the thing. Here's my question. I need the E load rating for sure, right? Would RIms and tires off of a 2003 E-250 Van fit? I can get some of those for next to nothing, and think the wheels would look better than the ones on there now. I am not sure if the lug pattern is the same though, even if they are both 8 lug.

Also, the windows RATTLE like hell when I go over a bump, would new weather stripping fix this problem, and is this pretty easy to do?

Thanks in advance for your time and responses. Love the truck!
-Pete

 

The seat could be replaced with any bench seat from a 73-96 f-series truck. They all have the same mounting holes, and if you put your seat bracket on the new seats you shouldn't have any problems(I think if you use your seat brackets, then you could use a 97-03 seat also(40/20/40 or 40/60). You should be able to get a cheap on in a junkyard.

Don't think the rims will fit.

The window weather stripping will solve the window rattel problem, and it isn't to hard to do.

 

Welcome to FTE

Inside the door is a long window channel with felt inside it. It runs up the back of the door, curves, then runs up to the division bar that divides the side glass from the vent glass. The back edge of door glass moves up/down in this channel.

There's another felt strip in the division bar = the front edge of the door glass rides in this strip.

There are two horizontal "cat whiskers" at the belt = inner and outer.

All these weatherseals (strips) are available from auto glass shops...they can install them, too.

 

You need anti window rattle seals you can find at the sponsor Jeffs Bronco Grave Yard or search the other sponsors they run about 140 to 160 for the complete set. Werlcome and best of luck with the new truck.

 

Welcome windevil,

The exhaust leak causes a loss in back pressure and and will affect more than just a single valve if left alone for too long. How long is difficult to determine based upon so many variables. I would fix that as soon as time and funds allow.

The head liner is real easy to remove and replace. Many have the trim around the edge. Simply remove the trim screws and the head liner drops down. The originals were made of a high quality press board. Replacements are available online and are usually made out of PVC plastic.

Seat repair kits are also available. You can find upholstery kits complete with hog rings and pliers to simple slip on covers. Check out the sponsors sites to see if you find what you are looking for. There are other sites available if you don't find what you are looking for.

Have fun!

 

For your truck, all you need is D rated tires. The van rims will not fit, however the tires will fit, providing you have 16" rims already. If you plan on overloading your truck by hauling a bed full of firewood or gravel, go with the Es.

 

Ford uses metric rims after 1996, these won't work on earlier vehicles.

1973/96: E250/350 & F250/350: E2TZ-1015-E .. Wheel ~ 16" x 6" x 6.50" bolt circle.

1973/96: E250/350 & F250/350: D8TZ-1015-J .. Wheel ~ 16" x 5.5" x 6.50" bolt circle

 

Thanks a lot for all of the help you guys. I am going to go ahead and get the "E" limit tires just in case. I plan on using it for trips to home depot and the like, so you never know when landscaping projects will arise.

Here's some photos of Old Yeller.





Oh yeah, need a steering wheel too. ... LOL

 

D4TZ-3600-A .. Steering Wheel

Fits: 1971/77 F100/350 & 1975/77 E150/350 & 1974/77 Bronco - all w/o Cruise Control.

The above wheel has been re-produced.

 

The stock rims were budd 16.5'' rims . The tires are not cheap!. I switched over to accuride 16'' wheels from a 95 F-350. These were stock and very easy to find. I then got a set of brand new take off tires from an 07 F-350 BFG all terrain load range E for 250.00 out the door. It all cost under 300.00.