Is it Worth It?
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 71
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From: Rochester, MN
Is it Worth It?
Well guys, I was all excited when I found a 1989 F150, straight 6, 4 on the floor for only $100.00! The body is a little rusty but the engine is
solid (of course) and tranny is good. Doesn't leak oil at all.
Well, first I had to get two tires due to rot (the truck sat for *at least*
two years, due to the owner having DUI troubles) and it has no brakes.
All the lines will need to be replaced and look like it could use an entire
front end rebuild (the undercarriage is one rusty mess). I can do some
work on my own, but already having trouble breaking rusted nuts and such :-(
It only has 143,500 miles (unless it rolled over twice?) and I have a feeling it still has a lot of life left in it. Oh, and the pinion seal is leaking!! I don't
know whether to keep going with this project or not? As much as I hate to hear the ol ball and chain complaining about how much I'm spending on it, I sure will hate to hear it after I've spent another grand! What do you
old wizards think?
Keep on Truckin,
Jim
ps
Its a 2WD btw, but thats cool.
solid (of course) and tranny is good. Doesn't leak oil at all.
Well, first I had to get two tires due to rot (the truck sat for *at least*
two years, due to the owner having DUI troubles) and it has no brakes.
All the lines will need to be replaced and look like it could use an entire
front end rebuild (the undercarriage is one rusty mess). I can do some
work on my own, but already having trouble breaking rusted nuts and such :-(
It only has 143,500 miles (unless it rolled over twice?) and I have a feeling it still has a lot of life left in it. Oh, and the pinion seal is leaking!! I don't
know whether to keep going with this project or not? As much as I hate to hear the ol ball and chain complaining about how much I'm spending on it, I sure will hate to hear it after I've spent another grand! What do you
old wizards think?
Keep on Truckin,
Jim
ps
Its a 2WD btw, but thats cool.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 9
From: Thornton, Colorado
I just bought a similar 66, and put new brakes lines and drums on it for less than $500. Yours has disks on the front which should make it cheaper. I think you may not have a grand in it the first time you drive it to the parts store.
Focus on needs, and not wants first, and you can get there faster than you think. (Easier said than done, I know I keep buying wants. )
Focus on needs, and not wants first, and you can get there faster than you think. (Easier said than done, I know I keep buying wants. )
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 121
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From: tulsa
YES! It IS worth it! I just got my grandfathers old 85 F-150. So far I've replaced the head gasket, valve cover gasket, solinoid, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, all belts, battery, bat. cables and terminals, driver side window, fuselinks, rotors, pads, tie-rods, and COUNTLESS odds and ends. And it still doesn't run! lol
But parts are almost dirt cheap and easy to obtain for older model fords. And they are easy and FUN to work on. Ghosty is right, it gets in your blood. My ball and chain complains as well sometimes, it's just a woman thing. What I do, is spend a little at a time to help soften the blow.
Look at it this way, when she gets really pissed at least you'll have a bad *** truck to drive on your way to the bar. lol
But parts are almost dirt cheap and easy to obtain for older model fords. And they are easy and FUN to work on. Ghosty is right, it gets in your blood. My ball and chain complains as well sometimes, it's just a woman thing. What I do, is spend a little at a time to help soften the blow.
Look at it this way, when she gets really pissed at least you'll have a bad *** truck to drive on your way to the bar. lol
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, MN
Thanks for the advice guys. Not too worried about a divorce GFW...I didn't say she "comes unglued", just complains. She wonders how I developed a love for "old, junk trucks and cars" ;-) Believe me, if I spend
a grand on it I will be the one pissed!
txmnjim
ps
Btw, one of the main reasons I got it is so one day I can put an old, junker Camper on the back ;-)
a grand on it I will be the one pissed!
txmnjim
ps
Btw, one of the main reasons I got it is so one day I can put an old, junker Camper on the back ;-)
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
You got a great deal in my opinion. Being retired I think my wife thinks its worth the money to keep me in the garage instead of in the house bothering her. And if I had a bed and bath in there probably never would come out.
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Boise, Idaho
I'm just glad my wife loves the Bronco, asks what I'm going to do to it next, and brags that it has a 300 in it.
And yeah, you got a heck of a deal. I wouldn't have passed it up even if I didn't need it.
And yeah, you got a heck of a deal. I wouldn't have passed it up even if I didn't need it.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 480
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From: Hudson,Michigan
Been there done that! If the underside is scaly rusted from setting,do your self a favor and keep all the good stuff off from it and consider it a really good parts buy,then find a same year span that isn't so bad, with a bad engine or bad trans and use your parts.It will save you a lot of grief,skinned knuckles,and money.You will pour your resources into this thing,then find rotted out cab mounts or other things just as bad.Most of these "sitters"have more damage done in 2 years than if you drove them 6 years.You have to consider radius arm mounts,spring hangers,shackles and towers AND the frame area they mount to,I've seen chunks of the frame torn right out and suspension parts hanging because guys didn't know the frame was that bad.So at least give it a thorough inspection before you decide to go for it.It's easy to say "go for it" but doing it and coming out in good shape may be entirely different.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 71
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From: Rochester, MN
Thanks again for all the advice! Gee, Buster I never though of trying to see what
the cab mounts look like ;-) That is good advice. I will give it a
good inspection, or at least tell my mechanic to when I take it in next week.
(He's pretty good about giving me an honest opinion, w/o thinking
of how much money he will make on the deal--except he takes FOREVER).
Since I'm having such problems with the brake lines, I think I will leave that for him
and see if I can fix this leaking pinion seal (heard it was a fairly easy fix?). I would keep it as
a parts truck, but I really don't have the budget to get something else at
the time. Wish me luck!
Jim
the cab mounts look like ;-) That is good advice. I will give it a
good inspection, or at least tell my mechanic to when I take it in next week.
(He's pretty good about giving me an honest opinion, w/o thinking
of how much money he will make on the deal--except he takes FOREVER).
Since I'm having such problems with the brake lines, I think I will leave that for him
and see if I can fix this leaking pinion seal (heard it was a fairly easy fix?). I would keep it as
a parts truck, but I really don't have the budget to get something else at
the time. Wish me luck!
Jim
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 259
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also take a close look at the frame from the cab back espescially near rear spring hangers. If the frame is rusty like buster said, keep the good parts. If its good have at it . oh yeah for brake lines Inline tube sells entire pre-bent stainless brake lines not to bad on price.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Almost Heaven
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, MN
also take a close look at the frame from the cab back espescially near rear spring hangers. If the frame is rusty like buster said, keep the good parts. If its good have at it . oh yeah for brake lines Inline tube sells entire pre-bent stainless brake lines not to bad on price.
to this rust business ;-) Anyway, I changed the oil and filter and she
purrs like a kitten. I'm going to let my mechanic take care of the brakes
and be done with it. (I still may attempt to change out the pinion seal
myself). Thanks for all the help guys!
Jim
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 480
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From: Hudson,Michigan
Jim, I'm from Michigan,When you let an old truck sit a couple years up here,the underside looks like it has rust barnicles .Just a quick tip for everyone,if you leave a vehicle set for a length of time,put a tarp under it,it keeps ground moisture from wetting the bottom all the time.If you lay a piece of plastic bag in your yard overnight,the next day,the underside will be covered with moisture,same thing happens to you vehicle.