Well, last year I would have agreed with you on the computer stuff being hard to work on but after spending time at my new job, its not that bad...and in some cases easier to work on. The computer stuff can find probs for you if you jumper the right wire and count the flashes and reference the codes...(or use the scanner in my case) The belt is lots easier to replace...but if it breaks...your SOL unless you have a spare. Can adjust to really any environment easily. And if you have to pull one...its really all one wire harness to take off and not a lot of vacuum lines to worry about. And the accessories brackets are mostly one piece. BUT i am not banging the old ones either! I would much rather work on a 1970 f-150 than a late model. They have a lot less going on...but that dosnt make them invisible. Now the mid 80's are another story...they can be hard to work on...all the vacume lines, but if you go one at a time its not too bad...just tedious. I just wanted to clear that up so some arent scared about their truck! Haha thanks!

Dan "Mudinford" MacDonald

 

Wow, I feel so at home at this message board. I just wanted to say to everyone, thanks for your feedback, advice, and support. I am still somewhat overwhelmed by all the friendly response that I got from just one little post!

Well I think my heart is set: a '70s F250 4x4 it is! Now comes the hard part- hunting for a good one. When I do get her, I will be sure to let all yall know!

As for that glass story, I love it! Chances are I will work downtown, and chances are, I will have to squeeze through those small undercover parking lots. If (or should I say when) I bash out some lights, I will be sure to tell you guys my story

Again, thanks everyone! All of your messages mean a lot to me!

 

79 F-350 460 might just be the best stock pick up ever. Since you have the $9000 to spend, you can do wonders with this truck. However, like many have said, the 79 F-150/Bronco is about as simple and perfect as they come. I am very pleased with the two 79 Bronco's I've built. If you're around the Philadlephia area, and want a sweet 79 Bronco I've got one for sale.

These are not for highway use though. The big tires are tough to ballance and wobble like crazy at certain speeds. The rotation of the tires may resonate at different frequencies. I've been going to college for a few years, and have been working on the truck even longer. It's a great hobbie, but wouldn't be good for a daily driver. That's what I have the Geo Metro for! (not joking)

 

Worthy advise:

1. If you offroad, and get it dirty. The thicker the mud, the worse damage it will do. Make sure you wash your truck off asap, before the mud dries on the undercarriage. I took my toddler to a state offroad park today, as soon as we got back, I rinsed off the undercarriage with high pressured water.

2. you'll have to grease up your joints, etc, when you offroad. Lock your hubs every month or so to circulate the fluids.

3. If you choose to offroad, make sure you have nothing on your dash( I learned my lesson), they will go flying!! hehehe.

Never go offroading by yourself, in case you get stuck or something breaks.

"Blu" 78 F-150 4x4
400c, 35" mud king tires
4" lift
Husbands reign; Wives govern

 

I must agree with the other posts. Go find a mid- to late-70s model Ford truck. You can find them dirt cheap. I paid $700 dollars for my 76 F-100 4x4. The body looks like crap but it runs, the 4 wheel drive works, and the 4 speed granny low transmission works well.

 

Here's my two cents:

First, if this will be your first 4wd, get something smaller. You'll need the manueverability until you get more experience, unless you are just going to be mud bogging, which is really the only time those 42 inch tires are going to be worth the pain in the butt they are everywhere else. The turning radius of any pickup is abominable, especially one with tall tires unless the lift is done properly (rare).

Second, don't buy any junk. Chances are that the first thing you will want to do when you get the thing is take it out on the mountain or wherever, and if it's in questionable mechanical shape, you'll be walking home. Put your money toward something in good shape and you will save more money in the long run than driving a pile of junk and footing the bill to keep it up. I'd say spend at least 4,000 bucks and get a second opinion(actually third, but the seller's opinion never counts) on the condition of the running gear. Take a really careful look at the front end--look for leaks, worn bushings, driveline lash, cv joint wear, and anything else you can think of. Check the fluid in both diffs because some guys trick buyers by overfilling or putting strange substances into them to quiet them down. Brakes can be a bummer too, especially on older 4wds. Take the thing for a drive and stomp on them and see what happens (<20mph)

If you have to get a Ford, you should look at the Broncos. Any year is good, but the 66-77 are most popular because of their smaller size and offroading focus. Some years of the big Broncos can be bought for a song, though, and they haul more, are roomier, have greater parts interchangeability with the f series, and won't get you into as much trouble offroad as a fullsize pickup will, especially a 3/4 ton--these ride too rough and don't have enough suspension articulation to get around offroad. You can't break them, but they might wind up breaking your tailbone if you hit a big bump too fast (>3 mph). You can, however, take the axles out of a wrecked 3/4 ton and stick them in a Bronco with a little modification.

This has turned into a long post. I am sure some or maybe all of the things I have mentioned above have been said elsewhere in this very thread. The temptation is to buy the biggest, tallest truck out there, but this is a mistake for a first-timer. Pickups are great for hauling stuff; put 42 inch tires on one and it is too tall to get anything in it. And if you do get anything in it, your center of gravity will be too high for safe driving. Go four wheeling with a friend and pay attention to the size of the tires on trucks you see running the trails in your area. Chances are that you won't see too many above 35 inches, which is pretty much the best payoff for good driveability, close-to-stock suspension performance, articulation over rough trails and big obstacles, around town use, laws and regulations, and maneuverability.

No matter what you get, have fun out there and be safe...bring food and water along when you go out along with a good jack (60" high lift if you do go with the big tires), comprehensive set of tools, shovel, tow rope, a blanket for draping over tow ropes/winch cables as well as spending the night if you get stuck, and a first aid kit. I'm not always this prepared, but there were a few times that I wish I was.

 

i agree with eric. you want to think of safety first. i know the last couple of months of Petersons 4 wheel and off road they have been talkin alot about that. your best bet is to check that magazine out. they will give you some good hints and four wheeler is another good one. good luck

-Jacksland

 

The fellas suggesting a smaller truck have something there. My daily driver/weekend warrior is a '93 Explorer 4x4 (no jokes). Thus far it's not very modified, but I've found it to be about the perfect size. Most of the smaller 4x4's don't have enough power IMHO, including the Explorer. But the Explorer's engine compartment is big enough to clear a V8, so I'm planning that swap. I get pretty good gas mileage (18-22) and have proven the Explorer to be a valid trail truck (I pulled out a Jeep yesterday, God it felt good). You can usually find a first-generation Explorer (91-94) for less than 5k. I wouldn't mess with the 95-up trucks, mostly because of the front suspension. They went from the TTB (which i'm rather fond of) to an a-arm setup, and it's tough to get the wheel travel that i'd like to have.