Newbie looking at a few trucks. Any suggestions?
 

Hi Everyone,

Glad I could find a forum with plenty of people into the same truck that I am. Since I was a kid I've always loved the 67-72 look of the Ford F100 and F250.

Recently, I was able to get a small loan to purchase a truck. I have a budget of $4600.

I have current narrowed it down to four different trucks. I would like your suggestions to which one would be the best in your opinion and why.

I really like the F250 Camper Edition/Custom Sport model with the two tone turquoise and white/cream.

Truck one:

http://www.topindie.com/evan/ford/truck1.jpg

http://www.topindie.com/evan/ford/truck1-2.jpg

This one is the reason I got the loan. I love the fact that it has mud flaps, a slight lift to the back wheels and I love the white wheel look.

Pros: New 360 engine with 15K miles, New Paint, etc.

Cons: Tool box on the passenger side is smashed in, interior is shot besides seat, heater/air is broken, radio doesn't work, gas gauge doesn't work.

I was going to buy this truck over the weekend. However, the owner decided he wanted to keep it for a few more weeks... then MAYBE he will sell it. It's literally been for sale for 2 years. I finally got the loan. My luck.

Asking price $4600

Truck two:

http://www.topindie.com/evan/ford/truck2.jpg
http://www.topindie.com/evan/ford/truck2-2.jpg

Asking price $1700

Pros: Interior in better shape, runs well, can be repainted, body in better condition than truck one.

Cons: Rust on body will need to be fixed, carburetor needs to be changed soon (burning more fuel), owner says lights went out for a split second when he was driving a few months back. He says the odometer says 98K but he has no idea for sure the true mileage. Truck is also on Non-OP so I need to register it.

I'm wondering if overall I can fix this one up for $4600 - seeing as truck one is $4600 as is I won't have much money to work on the shot interior.

Truck three:

http://www.topindie.com/evan/ford/truck3.jpg

http://www.topindie.com/evan/ford/truck3-2.jpg

http://www.topindie.com/evan/ford/truck3-4.jpg

http://www.topindie.com/evan/ford/truck3-4.jpg

Asking price $4500

Here is the ad: "Buy this truck so I don't have to choose which kid or son in law gets it !!! I'M NOT SOLOMAN !! I can't divide it !.... Nice 1972 F100 long bed with a rebuilt v8 and rebuilt auto trans...40 k on the engine and 30k on the trans...Duel gas tanks...Power brakes and steering with a p/s cooler...Trans. cooler in the grill...sliding rear window....am/fm radio. new duel exhaust with turbos...nice sound.....all glass fine...new windshield, new dash pad, inst. cluster, several hundred dollars put into a/c...Blows COLD...Seat and door panels done...chrome rims...hitch on the step bumper...lockable hard bed cover...driver paint..about 5years ago....My wife has driven it with no problems...easy to park and turn with the p/s... Just did radius arm bushings too... I have full set of Ford Shop manuals and some spare parts too...I've owned for 12 years... I have over $9000 in the truck...

$4500 or offer..."

I would repaint truck three to turquoise and white.

Truck four:

http://www.topindie.com/evan/ford/truck4.jpg

http://www.topindie.com/evan/ford/truck4-2.jpg

http://www.topindie.com/evan/ford/truck4-3.jpg

http://www.topindie.com/evan/ford/truck4-4.jpg

Asking price $2000

Here is the ad: "
1970 FORD F250 390CI MOTOR, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, RECENT TUNE UP & OIL CHANGE, RADIATOR FLUSHED & FILLED,TIRES HAVE GOOD TREAD, JUST REPLACED ALL UV JOINTS ON DRIVELINE, STRONG RUNNER NO SMOG REQUIRED, TOOL BOX INCLUDED AS WELL AS LOCKABLE STORAGE BOX BUILT INTO TRUCK, KENWOOD STEREO SYSTEM WITH AMP & SPEAKERS, INTERIOR IS CLEAN WITH NEW BENCH SEAT & NEW CARPET, NEW BATTERY , NEW STEERING RAG & YOKE, NEW FUEL FILTER & PUMP, MORE PICS AVAILABLE $2000 OBO"

Would repaint.

------------------------

Any suggestions? Thanks everyone!

I would look at number 1 and number 3, but thats just my opinion and ether way you'll need to drive them and look them over hard...

Welcome undergone :-X06

Enjoy the Adventures !

I would get 3. It seems to have been taking good care of. Sometimes a little more up front can make for a lot less head aches down the road.

CAVEAT EMPTOR = Let the buyer beware!

1) Do not believe a single word a seller claims. Private sellers can lie just as well as new/used car dealers, lawyers...and politicians.

2) Do not believe the mileage, because...the odometers of trucks of this vintage read to 99,999.9 then return to ZERO!

3) On sale day, 352/360 engines magically become 390's.

4) Ask to see the receipts for all the work (parts and/or labor) performed. If no receipts, use your best judgement. Was the work performed as claimed...or not?

Research first, ask questions if unsure.

You think you bought an old truck, but what you really bought is a hobby...and hobbies tend to be expensive.

AMEN ! :-X22

OFFER $3800. ON #3 he'll probably counter for 4k
always ask to see receipts !! of what they claim was done .

#3 definitely looks the best maintained and taken care of. where is the best place for me to buy accessories for the truck? for example the side molding is white if I were to paint it turquoise and cream I would want the chrome side molding instead of white.

did i read correctly truck 1 was $4600? No darn way. 3 is the one i'd shoot for then 4

I just spoke to the guy who owns number 3. He said that the truck was totaled and salvaged but he bought it back and completely restored it. there is no bending on the frame. I don't know if it's worth $4500 what are your thoughts?

Totalled, then repaired...hmmm. Well if he bought it back from the insurance company, it prolly has a salvage title, and if it does, and you buy it, it will be hard to get rid of...if you ever want to sell it.

IMO = PASS! It's too much money whether it was totalled or not.

Better trucks can be found for less. Here in LA LA Land, these trucks go wanting, cuz most peeps want cars instead.

Because the economy is terrible, prices on old rides have dropped like a stone.

Don't get "buck fever" and buy the first thng you see. These trucks are not rare, not worth a lotta money.

And...here in CA, since we have no rust issues, these trucks are plentiful.

SALVAGE TITLE = much cheapier or pass on buying there's plenty of these trucks out there, wait and the right one will turn up

I checked out truck #3 today. It is in damn good shape! It honestly looks like it's only 5 years old. Interior is CLEAN. Engine is CLEAN. Everything is beautiful. It runs very nicely too. He said he would take $4K for it. I think that's one hell of a deal. He's put over 9K into it and you can really tell. The pictures do not do it justice. He also just ordered a few cosmetic parts he's going to give me. I think we've got a winner!

You are believing every word the seller claims. When you buy an older vehicle, this is the last thing you should do.

Did you read what I typed in post #5? I've been in this hobby longer than many FTE members have been alive, so I know what to watch out for.

IMO (and I've owned 337 vehicles since 1956), I wouldn't touch it...it was totalled then repaired. You have no idea what quality of work was performed.

If you insist, take the truck to a garage to have it checked out, put in on a rack so you and the mechanic can see the quality of the work performed.

It will cost you prolly 100 bucks, but that's cheaper than buying a POS. If the seller refuses to allow you to do this = PASS!

And, if the truck has a salvage title, and you decide to sell it...lotsa luck getting even half your money back.

Peeps in the know will not buy a vehicle w/a salvage title and in CA, this fact has to be disclosed...up front.

i TOTALLY agree with what the guy above said, and i would definatly insist on a mechanic's inspection. but theres also a perk. IF it was properly restored and government certified then alot of parts will be brand new or very good quality. i dont know much about the US rules on wrecked trucks, but here in BC. the truck has to be looked at by a certified gov. inspector. and then the truck will be given a certificate saying it was damaged above 2000$ and has passed inspection. if its the same in the states, then its not a bad thing nessisarily. at leaat the truck has been thuroughly looked at by someone who knows what theyre looking at