I've got a line on a 1972 F250. The truck is a 4WD, I guess this is what's called a "highboy", with a V8, short steel flat bed, standard cab, heavy front bumper and winch. The only mods I'm aware of are the bed, bumper, an intake manifold and 4 barrel carb. The truck is in excellent shape other than needing some brake work. It's been repainted with imron paint and has been garaged for most of it's life. It's also a one owner truck.

I basically have two questions. 1. What's a ball park value on a truck like this? 2. What should I look for when I go look at this truck?

Thanks in advance for your help. If I buy this thing I'll probably be on this site a lot more. Looks like a great forum.

Later,
Dan

 

Dan, What is the asking on the truck? Is there an ad with a photo that you can link?




John

 

Hey John, no add or photo. The truck belongs to someone I just met recently. I admired the truck and on the spur of the moment asked if I wanted to buy it. I said yes . I don't think he was expecting me to do that. Anyway, he is the original owner. He bought it new and drove it off the lot in 1972. He's looking for $5,000.

Near as I can tell from searching on this forum and a few other places, the prices on these vary quite a bit. Someone on here posted up that the highboys in his area go for up to $10,000.

The owner talked with a local ford guy who valued the truck around $6,000 to $6,500. The truck has been in dry climates mostly, nowhere near the 'rust belt' so rust is shouldn't be an issue. The current owner is pretty meticulous about maintenance as well so it's been well cared for.

 

Makes sure to take a good look at the place where the body mounts to the frame. Sometimes these spots can be pretty rusted. Sounds like a nice truck. Hard to judge a price without a pic, though.

 

Yeah it is hard to do without good pics or a good personal look at the truck. Sorry man. I guess what I was hoping for was some idea of a resonable price or value range for a truck like what I've described.

I know the guy is not looking to take me for a ride but I think he and the local ford guy are thinking of it more along the lines of a classic collectors vehicle as opposed to just a good old reliable truck for daily useage.

 

A lot depends on the area also, if there are a lot of them available. 5K might be a little high. Where are you located?

 

I'm in maryland, I need to fix my profile so it shows. The truck is in Wyoming.

 

Long drive from you! That's where I bought my 67. Nice thing is, they don't use salt on the roads out there, so it shouldn't have a problem with rot from that.

 

I bought a wyoming pickup with surface rust only sight unseen, when I picked it up there were holes above the rear wheel wells I could stick all my fingers through but not a balled up fist lol. So some folks have a different view of rust at that price I would look at it in person.

 

I wouldn't want to go more than $2000.00 for a 4wd flat bed. The 6,000 mile round trip to pick it up will add a bit also.

One thing that you need to get down pat, It aint what it's worth, it's what someone will pay you for it.

Should no one offer more than $1200.00 for it, that is about what it's worth.

Unless it is a real creampuff, my O is $6500.00 is way out of line.

ALL IMHO




John

 

Wyoming doesn't use salt in the winters...and the climate is dryer overall (high desert/high plains). I'm in Boulder, Colorado...and may be heading up through Wyoming to Idaho in the next week, what town is the truck in...maybe I can get you a look see and some pics?

Plus...I daily Drive a 1967 4x4 Highboy....so, I know all the places to look!

 

While 6500 is out of line I have seen highboys sell over 10,000 and around here I have seen some that are mechanically sound but with rough bodys bring 5,000, the ranchers say they hold up in the pasture way better than newer trucks. I have seen many many 80's and 90's junked by the time they were 3 years old because the core supports break, the fenders crack and the radiators break. so the highboy that is still being used while it may be dented up the doors still open and close, the hood still shuts and the radiator still holds water.

 

If you are close to laying down $5K for this truck then I would only suggest going wild and spend a hundred dollars to have a classic vehicle appraiser give it a going over.

Enjoy

 

as soo many people here have seen my thought and valueation areas in my head are waaay different than most people *read i am fing nuts* with that said.

would i pay 5k for a truck yup you bet in a heart beat if i had the money and loved the truck. also i would pay 5k for the last truck i would ever own. that is if it is great shape. rust dings paint no accidents clear title no crackhead mods.

i value these old trucks based off of what i want with them and outa them. people on here say no more than 2k ever then run off and drive to work in a 15k new ford truck.

if i look at the truck and see that i will be able to drive it as is for at least 3 years with just routine maintenance and i had the money handy and didn't plan on ever selling it for profit then hell yeah do it love the truck use the truck and feel good about it.

ps me and the wife will soon be the owners of a project 47 windsor highlander for 2500 sweet

if you are happy don't ever let no one rain on it cuz you are happy just make sure you are satified. if in doubt about its condition take it to a mechanic and have them inspect it for you to see if it is sound.

 

Hey guys thanks for all the input. Just to clear up a couple points, I have seen the truck and it is in very good condition. I'll be back out in Wyoming in a month or two and will be going over the truck with a fine toothed comb.

I am familiar with the pitfalls and varying opinions on the values of old trucks, I'm just new to fords. My current old truck is a 1963 LandRover. in the 13 or 14 years I've owned it I've replace the frame, rebuilt the engine, gone spring over on the trans and have re-powered it with a 4 Cyl Cummins. I don't mind working on these old trucks.

Regarding the F250, I looked at, it was a spur of the moment offer from the original owner, his wife swore up and down she thought she'd bury him in that truck. It has been very well cared for. I think part of his valuation of the truck is emotional. But I also understand that many of the lower priced trucks usually take a bit of work to get them up to snuff.

I'll keep you folks up to speed on what I decide to do. What I want this for is to have a truck I can leave at our retirement home were putting up out in the NW corner of Wyoming. Another truck I'm considering is one that's a bit bitter and needs some resoration work. It's an old 1960 F600 with at Marmon 4X4 conversion.

Sevenup, do you have a line on any classic vehicle appraisers in the Wyoming Montana area?

Later,
Dan