2 replies to this topic

[Shaltac]

Well in my introduction on the newbie forun I told the saga of my first (current) truck, a 1991 F250 4WD with a 300ci, 5speed, and a 7.5' fisher plow. I've repaired it to the point of only needing to put the fuel tank in to run, and some minor electrical hacking to make it inspectable. The 300 has some plugs rusted solid into the head, and really needs to be rebuilt. After weighing the costs and gains I found a 351W from an 87 F250 carb to pan with mount brackets and all of the accesories (accesories might not be usable, but will make good cores) at a junkyard for $250. My plan was to rebuild that and drop it into the 91 (after adding a regulator and cranking the pressure down for the carb). My Father then proceeds to tell me how the 79 F250 4WD with a 351M and C6 he currently owns, was intended for me when he was done cleaning up his property with it... and he's about done cleaning up. The truck is a little underpowered, but is overall in great shape. Then I find a screaming deal on a 79 F250 2WD, C6, 460 4bbl... The truck is in pretty poor shape interior wise, but overall not bad for a running parts truck... What should I do? (I know poor me, and yes I have outbuildings to do the "hide from the wife shuffle" with)

My Daily driver is an 03 SVT Focus, so if a truck goes down it's not a biggie.

I'm thinking:

1) Put the fuel tank in the 91 and run it till the engine breaks, or I'm done with some of the other projects.
2) Pull the C6, the wooden bed (replaces the rotten bed on the 91), the 460, and the Dana 60 out of the 79 2WD.Scavange anything else useful and then junk the chassis and broken bits.
3) Rebuild the 460, and convert the dana 60 to a front axle with a locker of some sort. Pick a likely gear ratio for the "planned truck" with 38" - 45" tires and the built 460 (on the 79 4WD)
4) If the 91 is still chugging along, swap the 460 into the 79 4WD.
5) If the 91 is still going, swap the Dana 60 into the front of the 79, rebuild the rear 60 to match, lift the truck (with drop links new drive shafts etc.), mount appropriate rims and tires... Grin!
6) Now rebuild the 351W and the Dana 44 that I removed from the 79 4WD... convert the 91 to a straight front axle, maybe lift it a couple of inches (level kit)
7) Figure out what to do with the 300ci, 351M, and the Dana 50 I have left over.

What do you think? I know it will be a multi year project, and if I find a late 60's Mustang I might have to divert an engine and a C6 and build it "for the wife".

Edited by Shaltac, 05 March 2006 - 04:05 PM.

[Possumfarmer]

And the problem is...? I count only 3 trucks. I have built one truck out of two or three several times. One of my latest projects is an Arkansas 1978 3/4 ton 4x4 frame (no rust still has paint on it) that has power steering, 4 speed, 390 with 30,000 miles, posi rear and model 60 front. Looking for rust free sheet metal, trim, interior, etc. Also have an original 1977 3/4 ton 400 4 speed extended cab very straight and rust free daily driver. Then there is my 1992 F150 6cyl 5spd short bed with all factory options except power mirrors. Need cowboy boots and white hat when I drive that one. Did I mention the 1989 F350 diesel auto. with 2 yard dump box with power lift gate? Real handy around here on the farm. Never too many trucks, just too much insurance.

[crazydave1978]

well i think i have both of you beat. i have a 78 f250 with a 400m and c6 my grand father bout new and i still drive it but i have plans on doin a resto in the next few years. my current project is a 79 f250 with posi 410 dana 60 front and rear with a fresh 351 and i converted it to a 4sd with a flatbed for a work truck . i also have a 78 f150 lariat which i am using for parts . and then thers the other two 77 f150 2wd parts trucks and my current toy a 79 f150 shortbed with a fresh 351m and 4spd it has 6 inch suspension lift and 3 inch body lift runnin on 39in super swamper tsl tires i lucked into it cause the guy is on house arrest and cant have a drivers license again and my daily driver a 99 ranger (wannabe truck) and now im lookin at a 79 f350 dump so apparently this is some kind of addiction we all have but hey this is one i hope they never find a cure for