thinking about a summer project
 

Kinda thinking I want to pick up a cheap project for this summer. Maybe something to screw with this year and get driveable, then redo better in a few years when I've got more money. Here's what I'm thinking:

-mid-'70's to mid-'80s Ford pickup with a straight six, manual trans, and 4x4. I'd like it to end up with a flatbed, eventually. More of a hauling/pulling rig, but it would be nice to go offroad a bit (hauling firewood out of the woods, anyway).

-late '80s Crown Vic, which would need a T5 swapped in right off the bat, and then built as a reasonably fast, smooth highway cruiser. Also would want to be able to tow a small trailer with it.

-I've got a motorcycle that I might put together and learn how to ride.

Thoughts on any of the above?

I would do the first one. But, that's just me. :)

-Matt :-tap

Yeah, that is awful tempting. But I'm not going to sell my Ranger, so that would leave me owning two pickups. Not that that is a bad thing, but I do like to (and tend to) drive long distances somewhat regularly, and the Ranger isn't the best for that anymore, and neither would an old Ford truck be that great for it.

hmmm...sounds like your in for a splurge...do all 3 :) the bike will be your cheapest, Vic will be the most practical, but the truck is a must do!!!

I can't afford to do any of them, so three is out of the question.

well...i can understand the tight money prob. go with the bike. riding does wonders for the mind!!!

Yeah, only thing with that is that I'm really more comfortable with four wheels under me than two. I guess that could change with practice, but I don't want to die in the process. Bikes scare me.

I'd go for the first one too.

then why were you considering it as an option??? :)

I'm sort of on the fence about whether they scare me enough that I should stay off 'em, or whether it's just 'cause they're dangerous.

Besides, I already own the thing, and I have a friend who'd help get it all together...

But being scared is why I'm kinda leaning toward a car or truck, instead of the cheapest and easiest option...

here's another idea...drop a 4.6 eng/tranny into your ranger... :) now that would be fun!!!!

No. The Ranger stays as is. One day, it may get a 302, but certainly not 'til it crosses a quarter million miles, and I've gotten a real job where I can afford to drive something nice that will do everything I need it to.

Besides, if I play with that, I wouldn't have anything to drive to work, and then I wouldn't be able to do any projects at all...

how bout a 300 powerd flatbed crown vic?

An interesting idea.... Not sure I want to be driving a 300 I-6 at 100 mph, though, which I'd want from the Vic, nor pulling my Ranger on a flatbed with a Vic, which I'd want to do with the truck.

I got my financial aid offer yesterday, and it doesn't look good. My father got married last year, and so now his wife's income is added to his to figure what the federal gov't expects him (and me) to pay, and there went most of my loans and grants. A summer project might not be in the cards this year. :(

Go with the bike... I rode a few dirtbikes when I was a kid but not much, then I bought an old school Honda CX500 street bike last April and started riding. I get 50+ mpg and its way nicer to be outside riding. I don't hardly drive my truck at all, mostly because I have a company car to drive now and I don't have to pay for gas at all. :D its $2.85 here and going up steadily.