Oh, and maybe it's a regional thing, but on the local Classifieds listing (not Craigslist), Fords outnumber Chevys by like 5:1 on the "under 1500" page.
Oh, and maybe it's a regional thing, but on the local Classifieds listing (not Craigslist), Fords outnumber Chevys by like 5:1 on the "under 1500" page.
This is not a really STRONG preference, but id be looking for straight 6s , manuals, and TBIs. Cant get the straight 6s with the TBIs afaik, but you get the idea.
My uncle had a ~1980 3/4 ton longbed straight 6 2wd chevy with a 4speed with 'granny low' and i honestly thought the thing was great. He's had numerous other of the trucks in question in this thread, but i didnt care too much for them. Right now he has a 67 chevy longbed and a 75 f150 longbed. Of the two i prefer the ford.
Ive noticed i prefer longbeds on the old trucks.
Personally ive had a 75 f150 ext cab 360/c6 2wd, didnt particularly care for it. I traded it away for a jeep cherokee. Currently i have 2 dakotas (one from the 80s) and im currently of the opinion that regular 1/2 ton pickups are kind of a pointless middle ground between a dakota and a 3/4 or 1 ton, so i dont own a full size right now. Pretty sure that's an uncommon opinion, though..
I'd recommend the chevy/gmc route. Just my preference, but here's why:
No one has mentioned this so I'll bring it up, if you were to get a GM truck with a straight six (probably cheaper than the 8) play with the 6 for a while, and then if you desire build an 8 to drop in later on.
Interchangeability is an understatement.
The 73-8? (I know at least until 83) trucks had the frames predrilled for motor mounts for straight 6, small block, and big block engines. To drop a SBC into a truck with a six, all you do is move one motor mount to the other set of holes in the frame.
The internal balanced GM engines ( 250/six, 305, 350) can use the same flywheel, balancer, bell housing, clutch set, tranny, etc.
There's enough donor vehicle to switch from a 3 speed column shift, to granny 4 spd, or convert to an automatic. Clutches on the three speed can be done without a jack, or dropping the cross member (2wd- did it in 20 years ago). The key is getting the driveshaft, dog house, and crossmember from the donor vehicle.
There adapter u-joints available to allow installation of a posi rear, or one with different gears.
As for body parts and trim for GM, Ford, or dodge there's plenty of options for getting replacement parts if you can't find them locally
I'll be working on my 302 F150 tomorrow. Lifting... no... crawling under it...
Eddie Bauer had stock two inch lift sections in the stock springs. They do their job and let me underneath it with no problem. Makes dropping the drive and output shaves easy peasy... unless you're a chunky fellow... then lift it.
my grandpa used to have an 80s gmc truck and i remember seeing my uncle actually sitting inthe engine bay working on it lol
zhaoyipeng wrote: Asian Escort Edmonton <a
Ooohhh, so if I buy a cheap truck, do I get an Asian erotic adventure to go with it??? I'm honestly partial to large chested red heads, but whatever....
Thanks for all the input. I'm really not brand loyal, whether it's Ford or Chevy (or even Dodge), or which engine it is as long as it's simplistic. Most of the ones I see here are the 302 or 305s with auto trans, the cheaper ones are 2wd. I won't be doing anything, at least initially, with it except practicing wrenching. So if I get one, I'll just pick a project to start with (steering, brakes, whatever) and go for it.
Klayfish wrote: I'm honestly partial to large chested red heads, but whatever....
Then definitely get the Ford.
4eyes wrote: I prefer the '70s pick-ups. Simpler, better looking IMO, and parts are more interchangeable. Plus they are making aftermarket bits and pieces for them now.
I am with you on that. They also are about the same price.
Man, I was hoping for more pictures.
BTW, my input is to make sure you get what you reall like. You are going to have to work on it, regardless. so you may as well enjoy it.
the Ford v Chevy discussion... LOL. Could be in the infield of a mud race.
The only thing I have to add is I have a 1987 e-150 with the 302 and it has never gone wrong. My dad bought the thing new and it literally has never left us stranded. Ever. It starts still in below 0 weather and was once used to tow a 5000 lb travel trailer for about 5 years. It was modified a bit to do this by my dad but it the point still stands. Excellent truck. I still use it to help people move stuff/when I want to buy anything big. I've even driven from the mid west to the east coast multiple times recently.
Got a Chevy Suburban on a 2500 chassis myself, and I'd agree with the other takes - these things are tough, cheap to find parts for, and easy to work on. If I were to list the biggest things to watch out for:
Other than that, if the thing runs well, it's not likely to let you down.
screw pickups.
C3 Vette with utility trailer alla vwcorvette. Now THAT is cool.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/my-trip-to-the-dump/39014/page1/
if you are getting a Chevy, get one with a 350.. if you are gettign a Ford, get one with the 300 inline 6.. if you are getting a dodge, get one that hasn't had the dash wiring catch on fire yet..
alfadriver wrote: Man, I was hoping for more pictures.
Ya me too. We need many more pics!!
oldopelguy wrote: Just bias or is there a reason you're ruling out Dodges? The 318 fills the same void as a 302 or 305 and is just as or more reliable and cheap. Ford and Dodge trucks also came with two of the most reliable and easy to work on 6-cylinders ever built, the 300 and 225. The 6's were more likely to have overdrive too, oddly enough, and with today's highway speed limits that might be a real consideration.
225, reliable as all hell. Not so much a good engine for a truck, especially if he wants 4wd.
SLOOOOOOOOOW.
318 is just as reliable, and better able to move any truck that isn't a Dakota or shortbed 1/2 ton Ram.
I'd buy a GM 80's pickup, then swap in a LS motor (4.8 or 5.3)
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