I have an opportunity to get a '74 F100 Ranger XLT in ok shape. The bed has the usual cancer above the wheel wells. The cab is actually decent if not for being slighly tweaked where the owner backed into a tree. The trim is all there and good. Yes, I will not need to search for trim. The thing is 360/C6. It has manual disc/drums, power steering, AC.
The thing was parked about 5 years back. It has what seems to be a bit of wristpin slap in it. It manifested itself about 10 years prior to being parked. The grille is in perfect shape.
I can get it for $500.00
I want a truck to haul stuff and to tinker with. I seriously do not think I can get much cheaper.
Can I get opinions?
Also, give me some ideas about the 360, a 460 swap, etc. This will be the oldest truck I have owned. The next oldest was an '81.
Let me emphasize that I am not looking for something to 'magic trailer.' At least, not right now.
Between this, my 93 Mark VIII, and my '82 XJ650 - it gives me plenty things with which I can annoy the neighbors and the city ordinances.
73-79 F100s are pretty nice drivers, much more "modern" than the 67-72s. I've had a few of both series, both brand new and very used.
The 360 is an okay motor if you just need here to there. Good, reliable, uninspiring. Cheap parts. If you need to freshen up, maybe put a 390 crank in it.
No, it is very very dirty from sitting on a farm for 5 years, but it is in better shape than would be expected. The guy (my best friend's father - known him for about 23 years) has another 74 that is his own. He talked like he may swap out the bumpers, but I doubt it will happen. He has a bunch of health issues and doesn't drive his own '74 more than 100 - 200 miles per year now. The body on the one he is selling me is actually much better than that on his own. Mechanically, it is a different story. He has juggled the parts around on his engine a bit. What started as a 360 is something very different now. It is also the 4spd in the floor. That old truck is a monster. I may keep bugging him until he sells me that one later on down the line. He was vacillating on which one to sell me. I told him either one was fine. I would say you would be hard pressed to beat him on knowledge of the 73-79. He gets going on pointing out trim and incorrect items on these that he sees, it is hard to get him quiet. He is a good guy, though. He has never done me wrong in my dealings with him. He just sold my brother a bed for his 78. The bed was 90% rust free with a few dings for $200. Not bad at all.
To do a 460 swap you'll need a donor car for all the brackets & hardware. After that you will need motor mounts from a '73 to '79 truck, usually a 3/4 ton. It is an easy swap as I have done several, even the '65 F100 I own. I must agree with Greg here, more modern & more user friendly that pre '73 trucks... but those door panels
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You can't condemn the bad if you don't commend the good
The one I am considering has the same dang paint scheme(reversed if I remember correctly). Doesn't look that nice unfortunately.
Expense wise, am I better changing the rotating assembly to make the 360 a 390 or am I better of with a 460 even taking into account actually getting a 460, tranny, radiator, all the misc parts etc.......
The 360's are well known for poor economy & the 390 isn't much better. If I were towing or carrying heavy loads the choice would be clear. If you aren't going to do the heavy stuff a 390 would work well & it will be cheaper than a 460 swap
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You can't condemn the bad if you don't commend the good
Guess I ain't getting it. The guy backed out of the deal. He told me that after taking me to see it that he remembered why he bought it - that there were many things that he needed off it for his truck. My brother was over at the guys house today doing some lawn mower repair, and the guy said he hoped I wasn't mad about it. It came out that the guy figured that he had lowballed it. I have known the man too long to really be mad, but I am disappointed. Now that 74 is going to set over there and rot for a few more years to the point where it is useless to anyone and his is going to sit in his driveway and do the same. All this parts switching from the one he was going to sell me to his is never going to happen. He is 70 years old and not in the best of health. Ironically, my brother bought his '78 F150 4x4 from this guy's son for $1500. That truck is in better shape than any of these others. Oh well - screw it. I will wait a few months and take cash to his house if I still am interested. In the meanwhile, I will be scanning for another.
When did the 460 start coming stock in the 150??? or did it ever?
What about the 67 - 72 F series??? What is better/worse in them?
Or, If I just want a truck to haul stuff with, am I better off with a $1500.00 80s - 90's F150? (pre-96)
I have always liked the '74 - '79 models, but I am open to suggestions.
Just keep looking on Craigslist, you'll find beaters on there all the time. Have you considered a Ranchero or El Camino as well? Both are good cars, easy to tinker with and you can haul some stuff with them. Clearly neither or chick magnets, more like chick deflectors, but hey, they're pretty cheap.
What kind of stuff are you wanting to haul? Like lawnmower size, or tree-stumps, or a mud swamper type truck?
I like anything from 1955 till the dashes became plastic, but thats just me.
I want to be able to haul 4x8 sheets of anything with ease. I want to be able to haul 10ft lumber without having half hanging off of the truck, so an 8ft bed is in order. I want to be able to haul a motorcycle or two. I would also like to be able to pull another vehicle with a dolly , towbar, or trailer. I don't forsee anything requiring a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup, but I would not rule them out. I had a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 4wd up until a couple of years ago. I liked it, but made a mistake in getting it. I took a loss on it when I sold it - mainly because it was the 5.7 and not the TD. The older fords like the 73 - 79 seem to be more forgiving of overloading. The '74 that the guy (who backed out of the deal) has as his own truck easily pulled a dolly with a 66 ford wagon on it. If I can find what I wand in 4wd for similar money as a 2wd, of course I would take the 4wd, but it isn't mandatory.
