So I have an ongoing 72' highboy restoration along with an 83' bronco project...since both are about halfway complete...why not buy a 73' patina truck with the goal of eventually putting it on a highboy frame (years down the road). Purchased for $2500 and came with camper top and dogdish hubcaps I needed anyway for the 72'. Got it towed home and cleaned it up a bit to see what all it will need to get it drivable for the near term just to joyride around in. Seller had video of it running this winter but said it may need a new battery. I threw a battery on that I had sitting on a charger and it turned on briefly but no crank or anything else. Now when I turn the key I get nothing. Battery seems to be fine, so looking for the next couple culprits and looking for suggestions as I am terrible on the electrical side of these things. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!




Running out of room...


Needs floor patches and a couple bed patches

 

I think rusted out floor boards were standard equipment on these old Ford trucks.

I struggle with just one project.

 

I am fond of the topper on these trucks.

nice find btw

 

Step 1: Replace those horrible battery cables.

 

haha, you win! Literally just went out there and noticed battery cable strands on the negative cable 20% were broken. Cut them and redid the clamp. Added a little fuel and started right up! Will replace the cables for good tomorrow. Thanks!

 

Only three project vehicles, pfff. Them are rookie numbers.

Current list.
Green 59 F100
Red 59 F100
79 F350
79 F250
79 F150 (this one is questionable, I've been yanking parts off of it)
79 F100
79 Bronco
82 Cj7
69 Cj5
52 Ford 8n

Course, I'm an idiot & can't help myself due to an enabling wife. She brought some of those home. I'm just the poor mook who does the work.


Good looking starting point. Looking forward to updates.

 

X1000 replace those ragged out battery connections and cables. A good crimp on eyelet on one end and a attach style battery post clamp on the other. Then check all the fuses. And chech the "fusiable-link" it is in the harness just down from the starter solonoid on th einner fenderwell.

 

WOW!!! A true survivor! It still has split rims and 7.50x16" bias ply tires.


I bought this 1972 F-250 Ranger XLT Camper Special backin 2005 with only 31,000 original miles on it.
The back tires, not factory were 12.50x16.5 bias ply tires.They were pretty popular on trucks that carried campers.
The front tires were 7.50x16" bias ply on factory split rims.


I wanted to keep the truck's stock in appearance so I bought Cooper 235/85R16 tires and inner tubes and mounted them on the factory split rims.
I put MTs on the rear and highway tires on the front.
People thought I wascrazy for keeping the split rims but I liked them.



When I bought my 1976 4wd I hunted for a set of split rims but I never did find a set of them. That was probably a good thing.
I wanted to go factory appearance with it too and boughta set of 7.50x16 bias ple traction tires, most likely what came on the truck from the factory.
They are HORRIBLE highway tires. But off raod they would dig to the center of the earth.


I didn't even wait for them to wear out and replaced them with a set of 285/75R16 radials and it was like driving a brans new truck.
The truck came with these Dodge factory wheels and over time I have come to like them.

 

I just have one.

 

Great looking starting point!! Doesn't look to have been too jacked by PO! Look forward to your progress.

Yeah, 3 projects... psssh... rookie numbers LOL! OR, he's just smarter than us, to which I'm inclined to agree!

62 - CJ5 - awaiting me to finish engina and install - *****
63 - F250/4x - same as above - Mater
66 - F250 - runs, drives, needs brakes - Bullseye
66 - F100 - one of my shop trucks, all good - Shrek
77 - F250/4x - frame w/axles/trans/t-case/PS - might go under Bullseye
77 - F150/4x - the pretty boy, lives in the lower garage, comes out to play on nice days, used to be my daily, wheeler, wood cutting truck - Sid
77 - F250/4x - the workhorse, wheeler, wood cutter, hauler of gravel/sand - Max
78 - Bronco - he moves under his own power, lots to do...
88 - Aerostar - 96k og miles, shop Van bought it jus cuz - Rosie
92 - F250/4x/ZF5 - needs engine work and brakes, but is "drivable" - Pig Pen
97 - F350/DRW - bought for donor engine for Pig Pen, he drives, brakes not so much

It's NOT an addiction, I can stop whenever I want too!! Just don't want too

 

Blah blah blah. Smarty pants show off .

I also failed at the Lays potato chip challenge....


See! See! You understand!!!

And yes, the one or two project guys and gals are much smarter. They have the potential to get things done in a timel fashion, instead of feeling like nothing ever gets accomplished.

I've still gotta go pick up the neighbors 79 F150 thats been sitting for 20 years for engine work. Told him it might take a year or so to get around to it, he said "not like it's running now".

Buddy is supposed to drop of his 75 F250 crew cab at some point this year. Thats gonna be a nightmare of a restomod. More rust than my Bronco, 4wd conversion, diesel swap & a bunch of other little crap.

I am a glutton for punishment I do believe. But, it keeps me to broke to be an alcoholic again. So there is that.

 

 

Thanks for this info!

 

I will likely redo the brakes and tires this summer on it. What was the purpose of the split rims? I had never seen those before until I noticed them this weekend.

 

So I was able to work on a couple things this past week:

1. After I let the truck run for a bit, I noticed some dripping coolant coming off the underside of the oil pan. Have not had a chance to investigate where is is leaking from.

2. Got my highboy rims power coated, but when I bought used rims, neglected to realize they did not have the "notches for the hubcaps...So I may end up throwing these on this truck at some point since they are 33" and skinny, they should hopefully work.

3. Got the rear drum off and did some cleaning. The guy I purchased from thought there was either a stuck shoe, or the right rear wheel bearing was stuck. Bearings seem to be rolling fine, but the brakes definitely need some overhaul so Im going to start there and hope that is the issue he had mentioned.

4. Took the front wheel off to realize the fronts are in just as bad of shape. Tried heat, PB Blaster and 200 hits with a sledge and can't get the keeper slide pin (or whatever the real name is) to slide out and free the caliper. HELP! any ideas on what to try next besides just using a cutoff wheel? Going to order new rotors and calipers anyway since I'm this far into it and these rotors are very thin and have large grooves.


coolant coming from back side of block somewhere

small drips coming off starter too



nasty


wheel cylinders shot

drums appear OK

After clean up





aftermath

HELP