1971 Farmer-250 Restoration Progress & Pix
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
1971 Farmer-250 Restoration Progress & Pix
I recently (March 2010) started restoring a 1971 F-250 CS that was given to me for FREE with a recent rebuilt engine, rebuilt tranny, and broken flex plate. I'm not going with a fancy restoration, I still intend to use the truck for what it was meant for, work. It will also trailer my '70 Mustang around if it ever leaves the body shop. Here are some before & progress pix:
Before:
This it what it looked like when I first picked it up, lumber rack, bed liner, stickers (Nothing wrong with RAIDERS, will actually be keeping the license plate frame!), purple window tint, large mirrors, damaged bumper & grill, damaged PS fender.
The interior was/is pretty SHOT! None of the gauges or lights worked inside and was missing many of the original switches, missing radio, butchered door panels, torn seat and arm rest, missing headliner, and a broken original AC unit.
Before:
This it what it looked like when I first picked it up, lumber rack, bed liner, stickers (Nothing wrong with RAIDERS, will actually be keeping the license plate frame!), purple window tint, large mirrors, damaged bumper & grill, damaged PS fender.
The interior was/is pretty SHOT! None of the gauges or lights worked inside and was missing many of the original switches, missing radio, butchered door panels, torn seat and arm rest, missing headliner, and a broken original AC unit.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
The first thing I did was remove the eye sores.
I took off the lumber rack (that was welded on!), tint, stickers, and bulky mirrors. Immediately started looking better.
I then removed all the damaged body parts: grill, bumper, valance, PS fender. I also found some smaller mirrors at the local wrecking yard off a donor I'm sure I will be visiting again
Next it was time to replace the PS fender & valance and remove all moldings, lights, bumpers, rope ties, antenna, windshield wipers, and get ready for sanding
I took off the lumber rack (that was welded on!), tint, stickers, and bulky mirrors. Immediately started looking better.
I then removed all the damaged body parts: grill, bumper, valance, PS fender. I also found some smaller mirrors at the local wrecking yard off a donor I'm sure I will be visiting again
Next it was time to replace the PS fender & valance and remove all moldings, lights, bumpers, rope ties, antenna, windshield wipers, and get ready for sanding
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 311
Likes: 1
From: Waterdown, Ont.
1970 Farmer-250,
If you don't mind me asking, what did you do with your old mirrors? I have the same truck, but my driver side mirror needs replacing. Those mirrors are difficult to find here, the glass is always broken...
If I'm out of line, please just ignore this message,
Regards,
John
If you don't mind me asking, what did you do with your old mirrors? I have the same truck, but my driver side mirror needs replacing. Those mirrors are difficult to find here, the glass is always broken...
If I'm out of line, please just ignore this message,
Regards,
John
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
1970 Farmer-250,
If you don't mind me asking, what did you do with your old mirrors? I have the same truck, but my driver side mirror needs replacing. Those mirrors are difficult to find here, the glass is always broken...
If I'm out of line, please just ignore this message,
Regards,
John
If you don't mind me asking, what did you do with your old mirrors? I have the same truck, but my driver side mirror needs replacing. Those mirrors are difficult to find here, the glass is always broken...
If I'm out of line, please just ignore this message,
Regards,
John
I wish I would have posted this two weeks earlier and you would have asked me back then. I threw them on the recycle pile and the metal guys came and picked them up last week.
Sorry,
Erny
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
I cried a little when I heard you threw those mirrors out...they are not easy to find. I pulled a couple of parts of a 72 F100 yesterday here in Austin, TX. The truck is still there and they have a decent set of western style mirrors like your truck had. Zenmaster, if you want to call the guy who has the truck he is parting out just go to craigslist, austin, auto parts, and search f100.... here is the link 360 Big Block running w/3 on the floor
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 311
Likes: 1
From: Waterdown, Ont.
JRM1972,
Thanks for the heads up. I'll check it out. And your right, these things are hard to find in good condition.
Regards,
John
Thanks for the heads up. I'll check it out. And your right, these things are hard to find in good condition.
Regards,
John
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
I burned the motor on my compressor so the sanding is on hold for the moment. None of the gauges or lights were working when I first got my truck so I decided to tackle the interior & wiring while I figure out a compressor fix.
I started with the wiring, when I removed the gauge cluster I found a nightmare of a harness. Many of the wires were just CUT, and never connected again. All it had working were after market ignition switch, a toggle switch for the wipers, and only the headlights and the rear left signal light worked. This all made perfect sense since I found out one of the previous owners was a Meth Head.
Here are some pix of my wiring experience:
Here you can see the wire rats nest and the old broken a/c unit I had to remove
The harness was in such bad shape I ended up having to remove all of it from headlights to dash and replacing it with a junk yard jewel.
I removed all the switches, wires, and the complete a/c unit since the compressor and condenser were missing anyway
After 4 trips to the Salvage Yards I was able to round up these Junk Yard Jewels for the interior: Gauge Cluster, Wire Harness, Door Panels, Arm Rests, Headliner, Glove box liner, Wiper Switch, Ignition Switch w/Key, Original Ford Radio, Cigarette Lighter, Complete Heater Only unit to replace the old A/C
I still can't fix my compressor ($$$) so I'm moving on to the engine. It has an exhaust leak for sure, and needs new valve gaskets and possibly intake manifold gaskets too. The engine is DIRTY, lots oil and grime, so I'll be spending some quality time with the wire brush and degreaser.
I started with the wiring, when I removed the gauge cluster I found a nightmare of a harness. Many of the wires were just CUT, and never connected again. All it had working were after market ignition switch, a toggle switch for the wipers, and only the headlights and the rear left signal light worked. This all made perfect sense since I found out one of the previous owners was a Meth Head.
Here are some pix of my wiring experience:
Here you can see the wire rats nest and the old broken a/c unit I had to remove
The harness was in such bad shape I ended up having to remove all of it from headlights to dash and replacing it with a junk yard jewel.
I removed all the switches, wires, and the complete a/c unit since the compressor and condenser were missing anyway
After 4 trips to the Salvage Yards I was able to round up these Junk Yard Jewels for the interior: Gauge Cluster, Wire Harness, Door Panels, Arm Rests, Headliner, Glove box liner, Wiper Switch, Ignition Switch w/Key, Original Ford Radio, Cigarette Lighter, Complete Heater Only unit to replace the old A/C
I still can't fix my compressor ($$$) so I'm moving on to the engine. It has an exhaust leak for sure, and needs new valve gaskets and possibly intake manifold gaskets too. The engine is DIRTY, lots oil and grime, so I'll be spending some quality time with the wire brush and degreaser.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
I replaced a exhaust manifold gasket today and got rid of the leak, but with the sound of the exhaust leak gone I can notice a light knock. It sounds like a lifter but I cant pin point it with the hose to the ear method, I hope it's not at the bottom. It dosn't make the knock when its cold and the oil is thick so I'm hoping it's just a lifter.
Today I also pressure washed the engine & compartment. I also took the valve covers and an original air cleaner (from the junk yard) and sand blasted, primered, and painted them ford blue. I'll try to post some pix tomorrow when I have them installed back in.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
You have a pretty nice buddy 
...that just makes the project even more cool. I got my fingers crossed for you on the engine knock. One thing I have learned with my 72 F100 is that it is always something. I media blasted my valve covers and air cleaner housing, primered, and painted ford blue...only problem I had was I never realized I had a pin size hole on one of the break lines leading from my master cylinder which sprayed brake fluid all over my newly painted parts once I fired her up...dooopppeeeee. Oh well it is always something.
...that just makes the project even more cool. I got my fingers crossed for you on the engine knock. One thing I have learned with my 72 F100 is that it is always something. I media blasted my valve covers and air cleaner housing, primered, and painted ford blue...only problem I had was I never realized I had a pin size hole on one of the break lines leading from my master cylinder which sprayed brake fluid all over my newly painted parts once I fired her up...dooopppeeeee. Oh well it is always something.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
I got all worried with my 360 "knocking".It wasn't high pitched enough to be a lifter/rocker arm and not low and solid enough to be a rod bearing, main bearing or wrist pin. It turned out to be the fuel pump arm as it was being slapped by the eccentic on the cam.
I've been told this is fairly common. I hope you're as lucky as me!
Good Luck,
Gene
I've been told this is fairly common. I hope you're as lucky as me!Good Luck,
Gene