Some of you may remember me. I have been away for some time. After loosing my job and my home last year I decided to get a motorhome and live in it while looking for work. I spent the winter in Arizona and will be heading back to Wichita in the next few days.

I need a vehicle to use to haul my bike and other things I can't load in the coach. I was thinking of resurecting my old '67 4x4 for the job. I have some money I got back on my taxes for it. I know it will need a new engine as well as tires and that the transfer case needs rebuilt. I know I should also redo the brakes, wheel bearings and of course hoses and the like. Do you guys have any other suggestions as to what I should look into replacing or rebuilding to get it useable.

It is a 1967 F-250 4x4 with a 300 straight 6 and 4 speed. The tranny seems good but the engine has a bad knock. I have already checked and a new engine will be around $1000-$1500. Tires will be an additional $500+/-. I have around $3500 that I can invest into it. Do you guys think I can do it for that amount? Also,does anyone have any suggestions as to where I can get the transfer case rebuilt? I'm not really worried about making it look "pretty". I personaly like it now. I may do a quick rattle can spray job on it but that's about it. I just want to make it mechanically reliable.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreaciated. I miss the old truck and would really like to bring it with me if I come back here next year. The trails around here are incredible!

Later

 

Oh don't forget the brakes-and the belts-- t stat-- change the points over to magnetic with Pertronix, wires-- and maybe a carb kit- or new carb.

I am hoping to swap over a 352- with exhaust and motor mount kit for less then 1500.

 

I'm researching the parts now. I was thinking about leaving it points just to make it easier to service. But I'll change it out if it is an improvement in milage. I am also looking at a new carb. I have some things like a good Clifford intake and split manifolds for it. I believe I also have a Holley carb in storage as well. Not sure though because I know we tried to sell it, but I don't think it sold. I will check anyway to see what a new carb will cost.

I have a new radiator as well as a set of Smittys and all the exhaust tubing that I got for my '69 before I sold it. I had planned on getting two complete sets of belts and hoses as well as some extra points just in case I need them on the road. I love the old straight six's because as long as they are getting fuel and fire then you can bet they will run. Even with the rod knocking I wouldn't be affraid to drive it the way it is around town just not out on the highway.

Do you think, other than the u-joints on the front and rear shafts, that I should worry about the axles? The front hubs work but the entire housing spins on one when you try to turn it. It still works, you just have to hold the housing while you turn it. I was planning on replacing them a well as long as I can afford it.

 

Lots of questions, do you want to keep a 300 in it? They are great engines, but some folks want to make the change to a V8. There have been a couple of older Fords on craigslist locally that might have most of the drivetrain components that could be bought for less than $1000 and you could just swap a bunch of stuff. They appear to be farmer/rancher trucks with beat bodies, but may have OK drive trains.

Is the transfer case the "divorced" style?

Maybe a 302 or 351W swap would work and keep the rest of the drive train. You could also look at something like a 352 or 390, but I don't know how much that changes stuff.

 

I missed your comments about the 300-6. I would look for a good used engine and swap that in. We could keep our eyes peeled for one for you up here.

 

That would be great! We called Northwest and he say's he has a non fuel injection 300 from an '87 for $400. He says it ran good when it was brought in. My only concern then would be, can I really trust it?

The transfer case is divorced. I believe it is a NP205 but am not sure for certain. Do you know anyone that could help with rebuilding it? As you may or may not remember, I was having trouble with it acting like it was in 4 lo even though it was not sending power to the front. After losig my home I had to drive it back to my parents place again. Along the way I continually messed with it untill about 2 miles out before I finally got it fully into 2 hi. At that point it ran right on up to 55 with no problem. At least I now know the gearing doesn't need changed.

 

Nice to meet you. For $3400 in my opinion is a bit tight to resurrect a truck this old and do it right. Have consider other alts like selling this and getting a craigslist ranger or F150? Hell you might find another F250 from a contractor gone belly up.

Either way good luck.

 

Nice to meet you to. Selling the old truck really isn't an option. You have to understand, this is my dream truck and I have never seen another '67 4x4 with the 6 in it. Everyone wants 390's. Don't get me wrong, I love 390's but the milage sucks with them. I can get as much or more power from the 300 and still have a much easier engine to work on.

My brother has two rangers. An '86 and an '87. They are underpowered gas hogs. Very comfortable and fun as long as you are not trying to outrun your exhaust fumes but still rather dissapointing.

If you don't mind me asking, why don't you think it could be done for under $3500? Remember, I am not at all worried about how it looks. The only rust in the truck is the drivers floorboard and I can patch that with no problems. Is there other areas I need to worry about? Like the axles, transmission, etc?

 

Carl, get the engine and transfer fixed, make sure the brakes are OK and drive the thing. That is what I would do. If it still has the single master cylinder on the brakes I might change that out for a dual master cylinder just for safety. Upgrades to things like disc brakes etc can happen as you have time and money.

 

I will say right now I don't have the mechanical experience of the other guys in the chapter but my main things to worry about are brakes, steering, engine & tranny. At the time I wasn't 100% sure if you would be doing your own work but since you seem to have confidence in your skill I think you can pull it off and do it right.

Sorry for any misunderstandings.

 

Agree with brakes.. it don't have to go, but it does have to stop, next.. I am with Del, get your engine, tranny, and transfer case working to a level that you fully trust them, then as time goes by, pick something on it to make like new.. such as steering, or suspension, put in new wheel bearings, all new brakes, lines and hoses, but realize it doesn't have to be done all at once, once you have it running and driving how you want.

 

I really missed this place. I tried asking this same question on other forums as well and all I have gotten is a bunch of responses saying it's impossible. Everyone seems to think that the only way to go is for a full frame off restoration. Some even take great offence at the thought of not repainting it.

I have a job at an RV park just outside Topeka for the summer. I'll be able to drive it plenty all summer and even head out to Tuttle a few times. I should have a pretty good idea as to wether I can trust it or not by winter.

The only thing I am not comfortable with fixing myself is the transfer case. Does anybody know where I could get it rebuilt or maybe someone that could help me out with it?

I am not sure if it a single or dual master cylinder. I will have to check and see when I get back. As long as the Chevy in the coach gives me no problems on the way home I think I will go ahead and fix up the old Ford.

Thanks for the incouragement guys!

 

I think I can help ya with the transfer case. they aren't that complicated. I make it to Topeka what seems like quite often to me.

 

Thanks man. I may take you up on that. We will be doing most of the work in Wichita before we head on to Topeka around the end of April. I may bring it up to you before then to see what we can do with it. Should I go ahead and look for a rebuild kit for it? Or is it something we could get locally?

 

Clint? Jack? what's your thoughts on this?