Upgrade or Sell?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 105
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From: North Carolina
Upgrade or Sell?
Just looking for general opinions here: My 1977 F100 shortbed has a 302, 4 speed, w/o power steering or power brakes. Though I've been working on it as a project truck for years, my wife refuses to drive it because it is so hard for her to steer and find the gears.
So, I'm either going to find a donor truck to install power steering & brakes and put an automatic in it, or just sell it as is and find a truck (similar year) already having set up that is 'family friendly.'
So the question is; is my truck worth more with it's original set up, or does it even matter (change everything!)
Steve
So, I'm either going to find a donor truck to install power steering & brakes and put an automatic in it, or just sell it as is and find a truck (similar year) already having set up that is 'family friendly.'
So the question is; is my truck worth more with it's original set up, or does it even matter (change everything!)
Steve
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 2
From: London, Ontario Canada
if ya want go find a nice AOD and rebuild it if ya have too, there's bad comments on those transmissions but i think there fine and can be strong, and they will give you a extra gear for automatic, 4 speed, and you can add power steering and brakes, just find donor truck and swap it in. and how far are you in to this truck, if ya got alot of time, just finish it off, and add the parts and get a auto, and it don't really matter about the value yet in these trucks, i can see in 10 years or more but for now there's lots of them out there, i for one like to preserve these trucks but if your not going to trash it or let it rot i don't mind what you do to it as long as ford parts go into it.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,377
Likes: 82
From: MA
Just looking for general opinions here: My 1977 F100 shortbed has a 302, 4 speed, w/o power steering or power brakes. Though I've been working on it as a project truck for years, my wife refuses to drive it because it is so hard for her to steer and find the gears.
So, I'm either going to find a donor truck to install power steering & brakes and put an automatic in it, or just sell it as is and find a truck (similar year) already having set up that is 'family friendly.'
So the question is; is my truck worth more with it's original set up, or does it even matter (change everything!)
Steve
So, I'm either going to find a donor truck to install power steering & brakes and put an automatic in it, or just sell it as is and find a truck (similar year) already having set up that is 'family friendly.'
So the question is; is my truck worth more with it's original set up, or does it even matter (change everything!)
Steve
Seriously It would depend on how much work and money you have in the truck.. If it is mostly completed then just upgrade.. If it still needs a lot of work then you would probably be better to find something already setup up..
Also you can spend more on the new one and just tell her it's her fault..
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 1
From: Goliad, Texas
I know this is very picky, but your signiture says 1978 and the post says 1977......which one? if you try to sell it, you have the wrong year, and the next owner tries to get it registered with the wrong year lots of trouble can come back on you.
if you do buy another truck go with a Lariat (78-79) or a Ranger XLT (73-79), they would have the best options.
if you do buy another truck go with a Lariat (78-79) or a Ranger XLT (73-79), they would have the best options.
Elder User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: near Liverpool, England
I'd keep what I had and add-on ps & pb, then you're not fixing someone else's bad bodywork like I did 
.......I bought what I thought was a real good lookin' truck, but bought it in the rain at night, so when I started, after I fixed the 1 big rot spot, I found all kinds of small spots & some big ones inside the cab just ready to rust thru. 
.......but I now wouldn't give up my truck just because my wife couldn't drive it, just get here a good newer car like I did .......my truck is 'armstrong p.s.' & std. brakes, it is automatic tho'
.......I bought what I thought was a real good lookin' truck, but bought it in the rain at night, so when I started, after I fixed the 1 big rot spot, I found all kinds of small spots & some big ones inside the cab just ready to rust thru. .......but I now wouldn't give up my truck just because my wife couldn't drive it, just get here a good newer car like I did .......my truck is 'armstrong p.s.' & std. brakes, it is automatic tho'
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 8
From: Gadsden Purchase
IMO...
Sell it as is and don't "hash it". :/
There are way more automatics out there than manuals.
Which really sucks, IMO! :(
What's with the all the sissyass "trucks" anyway? :/
I believe you can get more money for an "old" manual than
you can get for an "old" automatic... if all else is equal. ??
So you can "trade up" maybe?
Either way it's work to switch one over and end the end it'll
be worth... less?
I think it'd be cool to buy the automatic first and maybe get
a chance to swap a few parts around? ;)
Tires and wheels would just be a start to my messing around. ;)
Alvin in AZ
PS- Been looking for over a year for a white+manual ~'90 Bronco.
Sell it as is and don't "hash it". :/
There are way more automatics out there than manuals.
Which really sucks, IMO! :(
What's with the all the sissyass "trucks" anyway? :/
I believe you can get more money for an "old" manual than
you can get for an "old" automatic... if all else is equal. ??
So you can "trade up" maybe?
Either way it's work to switch one over and end the end it'll
be worth... less?
I think it'd be cool to buy the automatic first and maybe get
a chance to swap a few parts around? ;)
Tires and wheels would just be a start to my messing around. ;)
Alvin in AZ
PS- Been looking for over a year for a white+manual ~'90 Bronco.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Northern Minnesota
Teach her to find the gears and put power steering on it. My mom learned how to drive a 4 speed so clearly anyone can. "Automatic transmissions are responsible for the wussification of America" Car Craft. haha so true
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 2
From: London, Ontario Canada
i guess your a wuss like me straightsix4x4 you have a 78' F-150 460 c6 and np205
2'' coils, LSD rear, 33" LTB's listed and last time i checked the c6 is a automatic tranny! lol just stating a fact, i don't mind stick or auto, i know i prefer auto, in my truck, but if i had money i would learn to drive a stick better and get a nice gt 40 to really get the effect of the power of the stick. And i guess it could be said that chicks and sticks don't go together, well some sticks i guess but i won't go further any further on that lol
2'' coils, LSD rear, 33" LTB's listed and last time i checked the c6 is a automatic tranny! lol just stating a fact, i don't mind stick or auto, i know i prefer auto, in my truck, but if i had money i would learn to drive a stick better and get a nice gt 40 to really get the effect of the power of the stick. And i guess it could be said that chicks and sticks don't go together, well some sticks i guess but i won't go further any further on that lol
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Northern Minnesota
Yeah the c6 hasn't changed since you last checked. I got it cheap enough it didn't matter to me. I have everything I need but a bellhousing, so when the c6 gives up it will be a 4 speed. What I mean is that everyone should know how to drive a manual transmission. The mentality that you just put it in D and go has filled our roads up with people that just plain shouldn't own a car. Hey who cares if you loose control? The cars computer will keep you upright and between the ditches! I believe this all started with the advent of the automatic transmission. But I am an unlearndt hillbilleee so don't listen to me....
Chicks and sticks works for me....
anyway, to the OP, not my truck so do whatever is going to make you and your wife happy. Swapping is hard work but if you have alot of time or money into what you have then better just go for the swap.
Chicks and sticks works for me....
anyway, to the OP, not my truck so do whatever is going to make you and your wife happy. Swapping is hard work but if you have alot of time or money into what you have then better just go for the swap.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 754
Likes: 2
From: southwest Wisconsin
Keep your truck. Instead of trying to find something else you like you can build this one just how you want it.
As far as stick vs auto, my heart says 4sp, but my arthritic knees say auto.
As far as stick vs auto, my heart says 4sp, but my arthritic knees say auto.